Metallica’s 1991 album, commonly known as The Black Album, ranks as the band’s fifth studio album.
It followed 1988’s ...And Justice for All, which was Metallica’s fourth studio album. The earlier sequence began with Kill ’Em All in 1983, Ride the Lightning in 1984, and Master of Puppets in 1986.
The record’s official title is simply Metallica, matching the band’s name. Fans commonly use “The Black Album” to distinguish it from the group and to describe its stark cover design. The nickname is not a separate official album title.
The fifth-album position also marks an important musical transition. Metallica retained its heavy identity but moved toward shorter, slower, more accessible songs and a highly polished production. That combination helped the album reach listeners far beyond the group’s established thrash-metal audience.