What working title did Metallica consider before naming The Black Album Metallica?

Metallica considered “Married to Metal” as a working title before naming The Black Album Metallica.

The phrase referred to divorces involving Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, and Jason Newsted during the album's difficult production. Lars Ulrich later described the title as a running joke rather than a serious final choice. The band also considered Five and the title of one of the songs.

They ultimately selected the simple eponymous title Metallica. Because the cover was almost entirely black and carried only subtle dark emblems, listeners and the music press quickly adopted The Black Album as an informal name.

The title change reflects the album's stripped-down presentation. Unlike a highly decorative concept title, Metallica emphasized the band's identity and the music itself. The final package featured the band's logo, a coiled snake, a black background, and a booklet with restrained black-and-gray design elements.