Taking a departure from their typically "violently thrashy" sound, Metallica came up with something that appealed to a broader spectrum in 1991. It was their self-titled album, Metallica, better known as The Black Album. It is also called The Black Album because of its largely black and featureless cover (only the band's logo and a coiled snake are barely visible).
The Black Album brought with it a lot of changes, some very controversial. Though both critically and commercially praised, a vast majority of the fans displayed outrage at the more radio-friendly path the band began to follow.
Music-wise, Metallica still retain some of their thrashy tone, but this time also combining several elements of heavy metal and strong bass lines, and more melodic rhythm section and solos. Firstly, it was the first time Bob Rock came in as a producer for Metallica, a relationship that would last for more than a decade. Metallica took a turn from their usually "all-thrash stuff" and started concentrating more on their rhythm section, Jason's bass was amped up for the first time, and is clearly audible, and most important change of them all: Bob Rock introduced vocal harmonies between James and Jason, given that both are accomplished vocalists. Almost all the songs feature at least 2 solos, the more melodic one after the second or the third verse, and another, which typically is a fast one and has Hammett's signature "wah wah" effects as the outro. Selling more than a million copies, The Black Album was clearly the most commercially successful Metallica album ever, and gave out 7 singles, the most by any Metallica Album.
The lyrics are quite deep and noticeably combine a variety of elements, ranging from nightmares, anger and also a road song (Read: Wherever I may Roam). While only Lars and James are credited for all the songs, Jason shares credit for "My Friend of Misery", one of the only songs he wrote while in Metallica.
The album kicks off with Enter Sandman. The song originated as a riff written by Hammet one night he was high and was so excited about it, that he woke up everyone else and wanted them to listen to what he came up with. When Bob Rock heard the riff he suggested the riff be extended to 6 bars instead of 4 and thus was born the legend of “Enter Sandman”, with Hetfield fitting in lyrics about nightmares perfectly fitting the riff! Ever since it was released as a single from the album, there hasn’t been a single concert where Metallica hasn’t performed it live. A typical Metallica song, the lyrics speak about nightmares and one’s worst fears. It also fears a popular children’s rhyme immediately after the solo, as the riff plays in the background. What sets it apart from other songs is the strong heavy riff coupled with a strong bass line and not to mention powerful vocals by Hetfield, with Jason harmonizing beautifully to the chorus lines. The solos are as usual, fast paced and later entering into a much more effect-laced mode. Also Lars’ drumming makes a lot of difference, one can’t really miss out on the raw energy set by the little Dutchman!
Next up, we have another single from the album, Sad But True. The song starts with an uncanny riff, makes a sudden halt and the main riff kicks in almost instantly. Lyrics-wise the song is written from the point of view of one’s ego and conscience, and how a person can be bound by nothing but himself, which is very “sad but true”, a very sensitive topic, which Metallica loves working on over and over again. The song halts once again at 3:06 but this time kicks right back in with Hammet’s solo playing over the main riff. Also Lars’ dynamics are worth noting. The backbeats ooze energy and as usual his snare tone totally adds flavour to this song.
With the mood set for headbanging, Holier Than Thou which follows next, doesn’t let you down. One of the tracks with a lot heavier and faster riff, the intro to the song immediately takes you back to the thrashier times, so you can pretty well imagine how violently the band and fans headbang, whenever they play it live! Starting off with the heavy riff, the song progresses into a more smoother and faster riff that goes exactly with the vocals. Lyrics-wise, the song is about hypocrites unaware about how their pride and ego is nothing but a “house of glass”. The lyrics coupled with the strong riff and Hetfield's powerful vocals make this song all the more appealing. Length-wise one of Metallica's shorter songs, it has a distinctive rhythm section, which progresses smoothly into the grooves and a fast yet melodic solo. The song also quite reflects the development of a more matured sound by the band, and quite sets the pace and mood for the next song: The Unforgiven.
Yet another single from the album, The Unforgiven is yet another landmark song in Metallica’s history. The song is about people who stay unforgiven, even after death, kind of a narrative about a man who never took risks and ultimately regretted it, told from Metallica’s point of view. The music video shows a boy who spends his life living in captivity inside a small, windowless room made entirely of stone. As the video progresses he ages into an adult and then an old man. He spends his entire life carving into the stone to create a window while occasionally grasping his one possession: a locket. It is inferred that another captive lives on the other side of the stone room. The video ends with the old man finally creating a window through which he deposits his possession and subsequently lays down to die. Certainly a thought-provoking theme, the song reaches out to millions who relate themselves to the band and the lyrics. The song structure and progression certainly reminds of “Ride the Lightning” album. Starting with an acoustic riff with a solo playing in the background, the song progresses to a heavier tone, as the drums kick in. The guitar lines go exactly with the vocals and Hetfield’s powerful vocals just gets you so very engrossed into the song. Talking about the solos, they are by far one of Hammet’s most remembered. As seen in the DVD A Year and a Half in The Life of Metallica, Hammet had to modify his solos several times, before Bob Rock would give him an affirmative smile!
Just after you are thrown into a reflective mood by The Unforgiven, Metallica hit you with their take on the road-song, titled Wherever I May Roam. Opening on a melodic sitar riff, the song jumps into the main riff with a snare-dominating roll by Lars, and speeds up just after the first bar to a 1.5 times faster riff and a 12-stringed bass boom at the end of every bar by Jason. Which gives the song that kickass feeling. With the mood set perfectly, Hetfield comes in with his raw baritone giving this song some its flair. Certainly one of Metallica's best written songs, it’s all about the nomadic lifestyle. The lines: "And the road becomes my bride" and "Where I lay my head is home" totally captures the spirit of the band on the road. The solo is fast as usual and the "wah wah" effect has been used yet again to a large extent. The music video featured clips from Metallica behind the scenes and in concert, during their Wherever We May Roam Tour.
Next up, we 've got Don't Tread on Me. The title is connected with the American Revolutionary War, the words "Don't Tread On Me" constitute motto of the Gadsden flag, and the snake image on the flag is pictured on the cover of the album. The intro to the song uses the famous eight bar phrase from America, a popular song from the musical and film West Side Story. Lyrically, this is a rather unusual Metallica song, one which totally contradicts to the whole basic idea of the ...And Justice For All album. Metallica is shows their patriotic side with his song referring to the Revolutionary war's minutemen who bore a white flag with a snake the words "Don't Tread On Me" on it. One can't help but think a one man army preparing to go into battle with a victory being seemingly impossible but the man beats the odds, and comes out on top, all guns blazing! Musically, this is a melodic yet heavy song, with a strong riff and the usual thud of snare. However, despite the awesome lyrics, this song has never been played live, one possible reason is James Hetfield's particular dislike for this song.
Next up is Through The Never. Starting off with a typically Metallica style galloping riff, the drums kick in right after the 1st bar. This song is all about how big the universe actually is and how we, the minute and mortal beings narrow-mindedly are concerned more about the smaller and mundane problems of life. The raw riff in the song however takes you back to the days Metallica was just another band starting out, jamming in their garage! Kirk's solo and the chorus lines are the main highlights of this song.
Taking a little break from headbanging, Metallica throws another ballad at you, Nothing Else Matters. From being labelled "not up to the mark", then to being "the defining song" of Metallica now, Nothing Else Matters, is a slow unconventional song by Metallica’s old standards. Yet another Metallica song written in the key of E, the song starts with the picking of open strings, which gives it a beautiful melodic effect. The lyrics as later revealed by Hetfield are actually a poem Hetfield had written for his girlfriend. So understandably the lyrics are about separations that come up in our life, from the people we truly love. Hetfield clearly expresses his view of “love and relationships”, despite the distance and all the separations one has to face. The hook line of the song “Never cared for what they say.....” is actually a vocal harmony between James and Jason, with James taking care of the lower register. Music-wise, this song is played entirely by James, and plays entire chords instead of the typical power chords or 5th chords. The song also features improvisations by Kirk Hammet, on what Hetfield plays. Michael Kamen, with whom Metallica would later go on to record their legendary S&M concert arranged the background symphony. Lars still continues what he’s most famous for: pounding the snare, and most of his rolls feature a tom to snare progression but does it quite tactically while stepping in and out of a verse and into the hook line.
After the melody of Nothing Else Matters, here comes the heavier and rawer, energy packedOf Wolf and Man, a dark song with deep meanings. This song is about werewolves, the “animal” that resides within all of us, and set free by drugs. The lyrics are written in form of a fantasy, ie as one makes the transition to their inner beast and through the point of view of a werewolf, that is someone called "you"! Starts off with a heavy riff as most other songs in the album, the song has a strong bass line, coupled with Hetfield's raw vocals, and harmonizes beautifully with Jason on the chorus lines. The solo is fast paced and laced with the usual "wah wah" effect. However, what sets this song apart are the additional effects like Jason growling, "back to the meaning" and the wolf-like howling effects done to perfection with the guitars.
The God That Failed, one of Hetfield’s more personal songs, is at number 10. This song talks about his loss of faith in God and Christianity. Hetfield was raised by his mother, who was a devoted Christian and suffered from cancer. She refused to take her medicines, showing her strong faith in healing by the almighty above. She died soon after and James was still in his 20s. This event had a profound impact on him, which led him to lose all faith in both God and Christianity. This song is just about that. From Hetfield’s point of view, it’s about “the healing hand held back” by the creator. The song starts off with the rhythm section, with only the bass and the drums and the guitars kick in beautifully from the 2nd bar onwards. The main riff is played by Hetfield, with Hammet playing above him, thus giving the riff a melodic effect. Hetfield’s voice is deep and profound, venting anger and sarcasm on every single line. Hammet’s solo comes in the middle of the song, and has a beautiful progression from very melodic initial lines to a more fast paced outro.
Featuring in at number 11 is My friend Of Misery, one of the only two songs Jason is credited for, for his entire term in Metallica. Starting off with a beautiful bass riff, the guitars kick in after the 2nd bar, and into the main riff. The song is all about people stuck in their lives due to tough luck and doing nothing about it, expecting the world to change. However lyrically the song contains several notable lines, such as “My friend before your voice is gone.......One Man’s fault is another’s hell”. The main riff is played throughout the song and the song actually tones down to just the bass riff in the middle and makes a transition to the solo, which is played over the main riff. The solos sound like they have been specifically written for this kind of theme. The solo however makes a slow but subtle transition from just being the melody lines to a more energy packed one with awesome use of the “wah wah” effects.
The album finally comes to an end with The Struggle Within. Starting off with a riff and a solo over it, the song changes its direction to a more thrashy sound. This song talks about a very practical topic: fighting your own illusions and the constant struggle with oneself just to be happy. One line that really appeals to me, goes something like “Advantages are made, not handed out”. Hammet’s solo starts off as a “galloping” melody line to the riff and then comes in his signature “wah wah” effects as usual.
After failing to get support and recognition for technical/progressive thrash direction they had taken with ...And Justice For All Metallica simplify the mind-numbing thrash they had churned in the previous decade, which also presented them with an opportunity to reach out to a wider audience, something purist fans of the thrash era equated to the commercializing of the band's sound. Though the band seemed to sell out, it got them mainstream recognition that got their so far unnoticed back catalogue much deserved attention. Which also brought more attention other to thrash, and in general, the other metal acts around at the time.
Genre : Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal
Track Listing :
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| Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett | |
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| Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett | |
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| Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett | |
8. "Nothing Else Matters" | | |
| Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett | |
10."The God that Failed"
11."My Friend of Misery"
12."The Struggle Within" | Hetfield, Ulrich
Hetfield, Ulrich, Newsted
Hetfield, Ulrich | |
Total Album Time : 62:31
Personnel/Contributors : James Hetfield — Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Kirk Hammett — Lead Guitar
Jason Newsted — Bass, Backing Vocals
Lars Ulrich — Drums, Percussion
Flemming Rasmussen — Production, Engineer
Michael Wagener — Mix Engineer
Release Date : 13 August 1991
Recorded : 6 October 1990 - 16 June 1991, at One on One Studios at Los Angeles
Supporting Tour : Wherever We May Roam Tour (1991 -1992)
Nowhere Else to Roam Tour (1993)
Live Album : Live Shit : Binge and Purge
Trivia :
The tour that followed (Wherever We May Roam) was in part documented in the Documentary A Year and a half in the life of Metallica and in the live album Live Shit : Binge and Purge.
This is their first album to be produced by Bob Rock.
This album is also known as the Black Album, due to it's largely black cover. It also had the most number of music videos from any Metallica album.
The coiled snake on the cover is derived from the Gadsden Flag.
This would be their last album till Death Magnetic to feature the first Metallica logo, the logo would undergo a transformation in the years to come.
