Where did Metallica primarily record its 1991 self-titled album, commonly known as The Black Album?

Metallica primarily recorded its 1991 self-titled album, commonly known as The Black Album, at One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles.

The recording period began in October 1990 and lasted about eight months. The Los Angeles studio was the central location for the album's basic recording sessions, while the band also spent about a week at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver and completed additional overdubs and mixing at A&M Studios in Hollywood.

These sessions were Metallica's first full album project with producer Bob Rock. Rock wanted the members to perform more collaboratively instead of building every part separately, and he pushed for a stronger live feel. The process was famously tense, with the perfectionist band making numerous takes and revisiting arrangements.

One on One is sometimes confused with A&M Studios because both appear in accounts of the album's production. The record's main studio credit, however, is One on One in Los Angeles. The completed album was released by Elektra Records in August 1991.