Which song on Metallica's The Black Album is the only track on which Kirk Hammett does not appear?

"Nothing Else Matters" is the only song on Metallica's The Black Album on which Kirk Hammett does not appear.

James Hetfield wrote the song's music and lyrics, and he performed the guitar parts heard on the recording. The track is notable for its orchestral arrangement and clean, arpeggiated introduction, which give it a softer opening than most of the album's songs.

Hammett still appears in the song's music video and has performed it live with Metallica, including the acoustic introduction. That distinction can cause confusion: his absence applies to the original studio recording, not to the band's later performances.

"Nothing Else Matters" became one of Metallica's most widely known songs and was released as a single in 1992. Its broader emotional and musical approach helped demonstrate the album's range beyond the band's earlier thrash-metal reputation.