“Enter Sandman” opened Metallica’s original 1991 album, commonly known as The Black Album.
The track was written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammett. Its central riff became one of Metallica’s most recognizable musical signatures, while the lyrics draw on childhood fears, nightmares, and the figure of the Sandman. The song’s accessible structure helped introduce the band to a much wider audience.
“Holier Than Thou” was considered as a possible opening single during the album’s development, which can lead to confusion about the record’s first track. On the finished album, however, “Enter Sandman” is track one. It was also selected as the lead single and became the album’s defining opening statement.