“Enter Sandman” was the first single from Metallica’s 1991 album, commonly called The Black Album.
Released on July 29, 1991, it introduced the album’s new balance of heavy guitar riffs, spacious production, and memorable song structures. The track became one of Metallica’s signature songs and helped bring the band to a much larger international audience.
The song’s subject draws on childhood fears, nightmares, and the Sandman figure from folklore. Its opening riff was developed during the album’s writing process, and producer Bob Rock helped the band refine the arrangement and sound. Because it was the first song mixed, the band used it to establish the sonic direction for the rest of the record.
“Enter Sandman” is sometimes confused with “The Unforgiven,” which was the second single, or “Nothing Else Matters,” which was the third. The single reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and performed strongly on rock and international charts. Its music video, directed by Wayne Isham, became a major MTV presence.