Which Metallica song was first intended as an instrumental during the making of The Black Album?

“My Friend of Misery” was first intended as an instrumental during the making of Metallica’s The Black Album.

The song grew from a main riff written by bassist Jason Newsted. Newsted had contributed ideas before, but Metallica’s songs were mainly written by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich during this period. The instrumental concept was especially notable because every previous Metallica album had included an instrumental track.

The finished recording includes lyrics and vocals by Hetfield, with songwriting credited to Hetfield, Ulrich, and Newsted. Its prominent bass-centered opening and expansive structure helped preserve some of the instrumental character of the original idea while turning it into a full song.

Listeners sometimes confuse this history with “Orion,” “The Call of Ktulu,” or “Anesthesia—Pulling Teeth,” all of which are instrumental pieces associated with earlier Metallica releases. “My Friend of Misery” is different: it began as a proposed instrumental for the 1991 album but was ultimately completed as a vocal track.