Who wrote the orchestral arrangements for Metallica's “Nothing Else Matters”?

Michael Kamen wrote the orchestral arrangements for Metallica's “Nothing Else Matters.”

The song appears on Metallica’s 1991 self-titled album, commonly called The Black Album. It began as a personal guitar piece James Hetfield wrote while he was away from home on tour. Hetfield initially did not intend it for the band, but Lars Ulrich heard it and encouraged its development.

Kamen’s orchestral work helped turn the song into a large-scale power ballad. The studio recording includes orchestral color alongside Metallica’s guitars, bass, drums and vocals. Kamen was an award-winning composer and arranger whose work crossed rock, film and concert music.

Kirk Hammett does not play on the studio recording, making the track unusual in Metallica’s catalogue. Hetfield plays the guitar solo, while the song is credited compositionally to Hetfield and Ulrich. These details sometimes lead listeners to attribute every prominent melodic part to Hammett, but the orchestral arrangements belong to Kamen.