“Married to Metal” was an original working title considered for Metallica’s 1991 album.
The phrase emerged as a running joke connected with divorces involving Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, and Jason Newsted during the album’s creation. It was considered during discussions about how to name the record, but the band ultimately chose the simple eponymous title Metallica.
Other possible titles were discussed as well, including Five and the title of one of the songs. The final choice kept the album closely identified with the band itself rather than emphasizing a particular track or theme. The nearly black packaging then encouraged fans to call it The Black Album.
“Married to Metal” is therefore a behind-the-scenes title rather than an alternate official release name. It should not be confused with “Blackened,” a song from ...And Justice for All, or with later fan descriptions of the 1991 record. The nickname The Black Album became so widespread that it is now often used in place of the official title.