“Enter Sandman,” the first single from Metallica's The Black Album, was released on July 29, 1991.
The single arrived roughly two weeks before the album, which was released on August 12. Releasing the song early gave radio stations and MTV a powerful introduction to Metallica's new, more streamlined sound. Its combination of a memorable riff, massive production, and unsettling bedtime imagery made it an immediate signature track.
The single's timing is often mixed up with several other dates. August 12 is the album's release date, while April 20, 1992, belongs to “Nothing Else Matters,” the album's third single. The “Enter Sandman” music video premiered on July 30, 1991, one day after the single's release.
“Enter Sandman” eventually peaked at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the UK Singles Chart. It also became a permanent part of Metallica's concert repertoire and appears on later live releases.