Who mastered Metallica’s original 1991 album Metallica?

George Marino mastered Metallica’s original 1991 album Metallica.

Mastering is the final technical stage in preparing a recording for release. It balances levels, tonal character, and sequencing so the finished album can be manufactured and played consistently across formats. Marino received the original album’s mastering credit.

The album’s production credits also distinguish mastering from other studio roles. Bob Rock was the producer, Randy Staub was the engineer, and Mike Tacci assisted with engineering. Michael Kamen arranged the orchestra for “Nothing Else Matters,” making him part of the music’s creative team rather than the album’s mastering team.

Bob Ludwig mastered the 2021 remaster, a separate edition created for the album’s 30th anniversary. That later credit is the main reason Marino and Ludwig are sometimes confused in discussions of The Black Album.