On this day (August 12) in 1991, Metallica released their self-titled album, containing some of their best-known songs. Commonly called The Black Album by fans, it was the band’s first LP to reach the top of the Billboard 200. It has since received 2x Diamond certification from the RIAA for sales of more than 20 million copies.
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Metallica helped shape thrash metal with their 1983 debut album, Kill ’Em All. They refined their sound a year later with their sophomore release, Ride the Lightning, incorporating more music theory and classical influences. Their third album, Master of Puppets, dropped in 1986 and has been long hailed as a metal masterpiece. Then, they lost bassist Cliff Burton to a bus accident during a European tour. However, he did more than hold down the band’s low end. He was responsible for the refined sound of their previous albums. Things began to change in 1988 with the release of…And Justice for All, featuring the band’s new bassist, Jason Newsted.
The thrash metal legends entered the 1990s with a new approach. Their self-titled album saw them all but stepping away from the style that made them one of the most influential bands in the metal world. Songs like “Enter Sandman,” “The God That Failed,” and “Nothing Else Matters” saw James Hetfield writing more personal lyrics. At the same time, their overall sound changed to become more easily accessible. Many believe that Metallica was aiming for mainstream success with their 1991 album. If that is true, they hit the bullseye.
The Black Album Brings Metallica Mainstream Success
None of Metallica’s previous albums did poorly on the charts when compared to similar releases at the time. Their debut peaked at No. 66 on the Billboard 200. Ride the Lightning peaked at No. 48. Then, the band found their first top 40 hit when Master of Puppets peaked at No. 29. They saw more success with the No. 6 placement of …And Justice for All, their first departure from their core thrash sound. Their self-titled record brought them their first No. 1.
The Black Album was an international smash hit. It debuted atop the Billboard 200 and stayed there for four weeks. Since then, it has spent a whopping 801 weeks on the chart. It also topped charts in the UK, Switzerland, Portugal, Norway, New Zealand, Germany, Finland, Austria, and Australia.
The Black Album also brought the band several awards, including a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 1992.
Featured Image by Rick Maiman/Sygma via Getty Images
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