When did recording begin for Metallica's 1991 album, commonly called The Black Album?

Recording began for Metallica's 1991 album, commonly called The Black Album, on October 6, 1990.

The main sessions took place at One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Metallica also worked for about a week at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, while later overdubs and mixing were completed at A&M Studios in Hollywood. The full recording period continued until June 16, 1991.

This was the band's first album produced by Bob Rock. He pushed the members to record more collaboratively, often playing together in the studio rather than building parts separately. He also emphasized a stronger bass presence and more carefully shaped vocal and guitar performances.

The start date is distinct from August 13, 1990, when four demos were recorded, including early versions of “Enter Sandman” and “The Unforgiven.” It is also different from the album's release date in August 1991. Those separate milestones help explain why the project occupied much of the band's late-1990 and early-1991 schedule.