What was the opening track on Metallica’s 1991 album, The Black Album?

“Enter Sandman” was the opening track on Metallica’s 1991 album, The Black Album.

The song begins the standard twelve-track sequence and became the album’s best-known entry point. Its instantly recognizable guitar riff, heavy groove, and lyrics about childhood fears made it one of Metallica’s signature songs.

Although “Enter Sandman” opens the album, it was also released as a commercial single before the full record. That overlap can lead to confusion between questions about track order and questions about the album’s singles. The song’s music video also received heavy MTV exposure and helped introduce Metallica to a broad television audience.

The rest of the opening side moves through “Sad but True,” “Holier Than Thou,” “The Unforgiven,” and “Wherever I May Roam.” This sequence established the album’s combination of hard-driving metal, melodic writing, and more accessible arrangements.