Which flag inspired the snake on the cover of Metallica’s 1991 album, known as The Black Album?

The snake on Metallica’s 1991 album cover was inspired by the Gadsden flag.

The cover of Metallica, widely nicknamed The Black Album, places a coiled snake in the lower-right corner and the band’s logo in the upper-left. The snake is derived from the historic Gadsden flag, whose best-known design features a rattlesnake and the motto “Don’t Tread on Me.” The album includes a song titled “Don’t Tread on Me,” linking the artwork and track list.

On the initial release, the snake and logo were embossed and nearly blended into the black background. This understated design helped create the album’s common nickname. Later editions made the emblems dark gray, so they stand out more clearly.

The Gadsden flag itself dates to the American Revolution and is associated with the phrase “Don’t Tread on Me.” The cover is therefore not simply a generic snake illustration. Some listeners confuse the image with other American flags or political symbols, but the album’s documented design specifically traces the snake to the Gadsden flag.