Metallica Black Album: Album Review
Metallica's 5th Self-Titled Album Critical and Commercial Success
Mar 6, 2009
To begin with a disclaimer: the Black Album is a phenomenal album. With that said, it also marks the beginning of Metallica’s journey down a bad path that will lead to three awful follow-up albums (Load, Reload, and St. Anger). When Metallica all but completely abandoned thrash metal, they succeeded in attracting a vast and more diverse audience. However, the album left some of Metallica’s devoted thrash metal fans scratching their heads.
Sound of the Black Album
Metallica’s 5th album focuses much more on the song-writing aspect of their music. This is exemplified through the two ballads on the album, The Unforgiven and Nothing Else Matters. This is also the most emotionally driven album the band had released up until this point. Front man James Hetfield’s lyrics are introspective and personal at times.
The album compromises the sheer instrumental talent of Metallica heard in earlier albums. The band completely abandoned the complex song structures of …And Justice For All, the raspy vocals of Ride The Lightning, and the sheer technical musicianship of Master of Puppets.
Metallica Hit Songs
This album successfully churned out nearly 50 percent radio hits – and enormous ones at that. Enter Sandman, Sad But True, The Unforgiven, Wherever I May Roam, and Nothing Else Matters – these songs still in heavy rotation today on many mainstream radio stations. Enter Sandman, the albums opening track, has become something of a heavy metal anthem. It is possibly the most recognizable song by the band, and was featured in the video game Rock Band
Reception of the Black Album
This album is not only the bands most successful album, but it is also one of the most commercially successful albums of all time. Upon its release, it enjoyed a lengthy four consecutive weeks as number one on the Billboard Top 200 list. The album is certified Diamond in the United States by the RIAA, having sold over 15 million copies. The album has sold over 7 million copies internationally as well.
Unlike previous Metallica albums, this is an album that can be enjoyed by people who are not interested in heavy metal. The music is heavy at times, and beautiful at others. This album seems to signify a sound that is more mature, although perhaps less destructive. Nonetheless, Metallica succeeds in blending elements to create an album that is undeniably one of the most important and noteworthy albums of the 1990’s.
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