“The Unforgiven” is the Metallica song followed by the official sequels “The Unforgiven II” and “The Unforgiven III.”
The original “The Unforgiven” appears on Metallica’s 1991 self-titled album. It was released as the album’s second single and explores the individual’s struggle against people or systems attempting to control or subjugate him.
“The Unforgiven II” later appeared on Reload, released in 1997. “The Unforgiven III” followed on Death Magnetic, released in 2008. The three songs are connected by their titles and recurring emotional concerns, but they are separate compositions rather than chapters of one continuous recording.
The numbering can cause confusion because the original song is often discussed together with its sequels. The first track is simply “The Unforgiven,” without a numeral. It also differs from “The Unforgiven II” and “The Unforgiven III” in its album context: the original belongs to Metallica’s breakthrough 1991 era, while the sequels came from albums released many years later.