Which Metallica song from The Black Album later received the sequel “The Unforgiven II”?

“The Unforgiven” is the Metallica song from The Black Album that later received the sequel “The Unforgiven II.” The original appeared on Metallica’s 1991 self-titled album and was released as its second single.

The song addresses the struggle of an individual against forces that attempt to control or subjugate him. Its arrangement combines a restrained opening, dramatic verses, and a heavier chorus, giving it a distinctive place among the album’s songs.

“The Unforgiven II” appeared on the 1997 album Reload, while “The Unforgiven III” followed in 2008 on Death Magnetic. The three songs form a recurring title sequence, but they are not presented as a conventional continuous story with identical characters and plot details.

The original “The Unforgiven” was written by James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, and Lars Ulrich. Its placement as the album’s second single helped establish the song as one of Metallica’s signature tracks and made the later sequel titles recognizable to listeners.