Which song on Metallica’s The Black Album features an orchestra added at producer Bob Rock’s insistence?

“Nothing Else Matters” is the song on Metallica’s The Black Album featuring an orchestra added at producer Bob Rock’s insistence.

James Hetfield wrote the song while on tour, initially treating it as a private piece rather than a typical Metallica track. Its arpeggiated guitar opening, intimate lyrics, and ballad-like structure marked a notable departure from the band’s thrash-oriented reputation.

Bob Rock encouraged the band to expand the arrangement with orchestral color. The finished recording therefore combines Metallica’s guitars and rhythm section with orchestral parts, helping the song move from a personal composition to a major crossover single.

Kirk Hammett does not play on the studio recording, despite appearing in the music video and performing the song live. The single was released in April 1992 and became one of the band’s most recognizable songs.