Which Metallica song is the only standard The Black Album track without Kirk Hammett playing on it?

“Nothing Else Matters” is the only standard The Black Album track without Kirk Hammett playing on it.

James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich wrote the song, and Hetfield performed its guitars and vocals. Hammett does appear in the music video and performs the song live with Metallica, but he did not play on the studio recording itself.

The track began with a guitar figure Hetfield played while on the phone. It developed into a personal, orchestral ballad and became one of Metallica’s most widely recognized songs. The studio arrangement includes orchestral parts arranged by Michael Kamen.

The distinction is easy to miss because Hammett is one of Metallica’s two guitarists and is strongly associated with the band’s sound. His absence applies specifically to the standard studio track, not to performances, videos, or later live arrangements.