Which Black Album track began as a bass instrumental written by Jason Newsted?

“My Friend of Misery” began as a bass instrumental written by Jason Newsted for Metallica’s Black Album.

Newsted supplied the song’s main opening riff and initially intended it to become the fifth instrumental in Metallica’s catalog. Earlier instrumentals included “Anesthesia—Pulling Teeth,” “The Call of Ktulu,” “Orion,” and “To Live Is to Die.”

During the Black Album sessions, the piece remained instrumental for much of the recording process. Producer Bob Rock eventually encouraged the band to add lyrics, helping turn the bass-centered idea into a full song. James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich are also credited as co-writers on the finished track.

“My Friend of Misery” appears as track eleven on the standard album. It is sometimes overlooked beside better-known singles such as “Enter Sandman” and “Nothing Else Matters,” but its origin is an important example of Newsted’s creative contribution to the record.