Which is the longest song on Metallica's The Black Album?

“My Friend of Misery” is the longest song on Metallica's The Black Album.

The track runs for 6 minutes and 49 seconds and appears near the end of the album. It was built around a main riff written by bassist Jason Newsted. The idea was initially intended to become an instrumental, continuing a pattern in which earlier Metallica albums had included instrumental pieces.

James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich helped develop the song into a vocal composition, with Hetfield writing lyrics about isolation, frustration, and a troubled relationship with misery. The result gave Newsted a notable songwriting contribution on the album.

Listeners sometimes assume “Nothing Else Matters” is the longest song because it is the album's best-known ballad and has an expansive arrangement. However, “My Friend of Misery” is longer by the standard album timings. It also stands out for its prominent bass-centered origin and darker, more atmospheric structure.