Which Metallica song from The Black Album did not feature Kirk Hammett on the studio recording?

“Nothing Else Matters” is the Metallica song from The Black Album that does not feature Kirk Hammett on its studio recording.

James Hetfield wrote the song in 1990 while on tour, initially intending it for himself rather than for Metallica. Lars Ulrich heard the developing piece and encouraged the band to consider it for the album.

Hetfield and Ulrich are credited as the song’s composers, and Hetfield performs the vocals and guitars. Kirk Hammett does not play on the studio track, although he appears in the music video and performs the song live with the band.

The recording also includes orchestral arrangements by Michael Kamen and the London Symphony Orchestra. The song became a major power ballad and was released as the album’s third single on April 20, 1992.