“The Unforgiven” followed “Enter Sandman” as the second single from Metallica’s The Black Album.
Released in 1991, the song contrasts heavy, distorted verses with a softer, melodic chorus. That reversed ballad structure was a deliberate change from the band’s earlier pattern of melodic verses followed by heavier choruses.
James Hetfield wrote the lyrics, while the music was credited to Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, and Lars Ulrich. Hammett’s guitar solo was a late studio improvisation after earlier ideas failed to satisfy him, and the experience influenced his approach to later solos.
The song eventually began a trilogy. “The Unforgiven II” appeared on Reload, while “The Unforgiven III” appeared on Death Magnetic. Those sequels share the title concept but are separate songs from the original 1991 track.