Which Metallica song was originally intended to be an instrumental before appearing on The Black Album?

“My Friend of Misery” was originally intended to be an instrumental before appearing on Metallica’s The Black Album.

Bassist Jason Newsted wrote the song’s main riff, and the idea began as one of the instrumental pieces that had appeared on each of Metallica’s previous albums. During the Black Album sessions, the concept was developed into a vocal song instead.

James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich were central to the band’s songwriting process, but the album also included ideas from guitarist Kirk Hammett and Newsted. Newsted’s contribution made “My Friend of Misery” especially notable within the record’s credits.

The song is sometimes overlooked beside the album’s major singles, yet its origin illustrates how the band changed its established album formula in 1991.