Metallica - Metallica {Black Album} (1991)

[overkill86]

I had the choice of which Metallica album would be my first, "ReLoad" or "The Black Album." I went with ReLoad for some reason (I hated that album for the longest time). However, the second Metallica album I purchased was this one in 1997.

It was the album that made me want to go back into Metallica's catalog and discover the stuff they put out in the 80's cause I loved this album. I'm sick of people saying they sold out with this record. My biggest problem is that there are a few songs on the album that are obviously overplayed so it's hard for me to listen to the record the whole way through. I still like listening to songs like "Through the Never", "Of Wolf and Man", and "The God That Failed."

Despite being overplayed I still dig "The Unforgiven."

 

[Titokinz]

This is the definite point when Metallica lost their thrash edge and became more generically "heavy metal". Not saying that is all bad, because I still enjoy many of the songs in the album. Just the point the band became more commercial. After a 3 year leave from putting out an album, guess they just re-evaluated the direction they would like to go. After this album though, their music just went waaaay down for me.

 

[Riff Raff]

Apparently Metallica recently did an entire set of the Black album. Why would they not do a Puppets one last year when it was the 25th Anniversary of that album? Would have been a good tribute to Cliff Burton too.

 

[Lynch]

I would guess it's because the Black Album was far and away their most commercially successful album. Also, perhaps out of some sort of respect to Burton's memory/legacy, they don't want to do a full set of just that album? *shrug*

 

[Riff Raff]

Fans should have got to see it in my opinion.

 

[opera races]

I think people's opinion on the Black Album might depend a lot on where they were sitting at the time it came out.

I was aware of Metallica having heard the name over the years up to the release of the Black Album and was curious but for various reasons hadn't gotten around to exploring the band's music.

Enter Sandman getting airplay on the radio was the first time I ever heard any of Metallica's music that I know of. I liked that track a lot though it did get overplayed but at the time I wasn't in much of a position to be buying new (or even used) albums so I had to skip it. I didn't get a copy of the Black Album until years later and that was my first Metallica album. I liked it a lot and still enjoy it and can listen to it all the way through but I think it does have a few weak tracks ... the titles escape me at the moment. I do remember hearing about James Hetfield getting burned.

Anyway, after the Black Album I started going backward through their catalog. Also there was that Behind The Music program on them. Then I began learning more about their history and understand why the old die-hard fans feel the way they do about the Black Album and beyond.

 

[Metal Head Mike]

Great Review. I bought this album the day it was released. Hated it at first cause of some of the slower songs like Nothing Else Matters. But it grew on me fast and still enjoy this album. My favourite track still is Through The Never

 

[Tray73]

Will be seeing them perform the Black Album in its entirety in a few weeks at Download Festival, can't wait

 

[Sweaty]

Great Review. I bought this album the day it was released. Hated it at first cause of some of the slower songs like Nothing Else Matters. But it grew on me fast and still enjoy this album. My favourite track still is Through The Never

Through the never is a real winner, I too will be seeing them do the album in a few weeks, it will be great to see them do this album again

 

[Riff Raff]

Yeah Nothing Else Matters is way over rated same with Wherever We May Roam and also didn't like The Struggle Within.
Rest of the album though is enjoyable. The heavier tracks like Holier Than Thou, Through the Never, Of Wolf and Man are great. I love The God That Failed as well.