Which song became the first Metallica track to be written for The Black Album?

“Enter Sandman” was the first song written for Metallica’s The Black Album.

Its unusual development gives the track a second distinction: although it was the first song written, it was the last to receive lyrics. Four demos were recorded on August 13, 1990, including “Enter Sandman,” “The Unforgiven,” “Nothing Else Matters,” and “Wherever I May Roam.”

The song ultimately became the album’s lead single and one of Metallica’s defining recordings. Its lyrics focus on nightmares and the frightening experiences associated with sleep. The music’s concise, forceful structure also reflected the band’s desire to move away from the long and complex song forms associated with ...And Justice for All.

The writing chronology is different from the album’s running order only in emphasis: “Enter Sandman” is both track one and the first composition developed for the project. The later lyric work helped complete a song that had already established its central musical identity.