“Holier Than Thou” was initially planned as the opening track and first single from Metallica’s The Black Album.
That plan changed during the album’s preparation. Producer Bob Rock believed the record contained several potential classics and argued that a different song should lead the campaign. Lars Ulrich strongly favored “Enter Sandman,” helping persuade the band to make it the opening track and first single instead.
The change had major consequences for how audiences encountered the album. “Enter Sandman” was released on July 29, 1991, and its memorable riff and radio-friendly structure made it an immediate gateway into Metallica’s new sound.
“Holier Than Thou” still appeared on the finished album as track two. It was not discarded; it simply lost the opening position and commercial lead-single role. The song’s original planned status is therefore a behind-the-scenes fact, not a claim about the final track order.