What was the first Metallica music video to reach one billion YouTube views, from The Black Album era?

“Nothing Else Matters” was the first Metallica music video to reach one billion YouTube views from The Black Album era.

The video reached that milestone in August 2021, making it Metallica's first music video to enter YouTube's billion-views club. The song itself was released as the third single from Metallica's 1991 self-titled album on April 20, 1992.

Adam Dubin directed the video, which was filmed in North Hollywood during the album's recording period. The clip combines performance and studio footage with scenes associated with the making of Metallica, including James Hetfield playing guitar. It premiered on MTV on February 25, 1992.

“Enter Sandman” is the more obvious alternative because it was the album's lead single and had a highly influential video, but the billion-view distinction belongs to “Nothing Else Matters.” The song also became one of Metallica's most widely recognized ballads and a staple of the band's live performances.