Which Metallica song has Kirk Hammett absent from the studio recording on The Black Album?

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

James Hetfield wrote the song while touring, initially playing its guitar parts himself. It became one of the few Metallica songs in which Hetfield also played the guitar solo, rather than leaving that role to Hammett.

The track was recorded on May 30, 1991, at One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Its orchestral arrangements were written by composer Michael Kamen, who later worked with Metallica on the S&M project.

Released as the album's third single on April 20, 1992, the power ballad reached number six on the UK Singles Chart and became one of the band's best-known songs. Hammett later learned to play it during the album tour.