It was on this day 28 years ago that Metallica unleashed their monster of a self titled album on the world. August 12, 1991 everyone ran to their nearest record store to get our hands on what would go down in history as one of the biggest hard rock and heavy metal records of our time.
Metallica's self titled follow up to 1988's ...And Justice For All took them from thrash metal icons to rock and roll royalty. While many of the other thrash metal bands of the 80s still saw success, the Black Album, as it is most often referred to, catapulted Metallica into arena after arena. How could it not? This album was made for the biggest possible crowds.
With tracks like "Sad But True", "Wherever I May Roam", "Don't Tread on Me", and of course the incredible "Enter Sandman", this album is just as heavy today as it was 28 years ago.
Along with the heavy riffs you had incredibly poetic songs like "The Unforgiven" and "Nothing Else Matters."
Every single, and even the "deep cuts" off the Black Album were and always will be staples at any Metallica show, and even the most jaded Metallica fan can appreciate hearing them live.
The Black Album not only put Metallica on the top of the heavy metal mountain, but it opened them up to being able to try new things. This album was so different than the previous four albums from the band. It was heavy, but it certainly wasn't thrash. James Hetfiled's booming vocals could really be felt on this album and gave Metallica the sound that fans have known for the last 28 years since the Black Album's birth.
So go out today. Put on your favorite black t-shirt and crank up this iconic album.