Which Metallica song opened The Black Album and served as its lead single?

Enter Sandman opened Metallica's The Black Album and served as its lead single.

The single was released on July 29, 1991, two weeks before the album. It was the first song written for the record, although its lyrics were completed late in the process. The music grew from a guitar riff by Kirk Hammett, with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich contributing to the composition.

The song's lyrics use bedtime imagery and nightmares, giving a familiar childhood ritual a darker atmosphere. Its streamlined structure, memorable riff, and heavy but accessible production helped introduce Metallica to listeners who might not normally have followed thrash metal.

Enter Sandman reached number 16 on the United States Billboard Hot 100. Its Wayne Isham-directed music video received extensive exposure and won Best Hard Rock Video at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards. The other major Black Album singles included The Unforgiven, Nothing Else Matters, Wherever I May Roam, and Sad but True.