I love this album for what it is. Didn't really listen to them much after this album come out but certainly didn't jump on the bandwagon of haters that came from this. I always felt Metallica would go a different direction after AJFA. Good on them for doing their own thing.
I'm glad you made sure to include Nothing Else Matters. I agree with your final review. Hugely influential and definitely solid. Great for working out, driving, and drywall.
T, I'm so glad you did this and hate that I missed the stream. This album was a monster success when it came out. It was the gateway drug to SO many eventual headbangers. It led to thrash going from kind of underground to almost mainstream. Many heavy bands owe their success to this album. I was 17 & in jr high when it dropped and I played the ever loving shit out of it just like every other long-haired leather clad hell raiser i knew. It's a shame to see how many people loved this record in the early 90's and now claiming it sucked.
I was 19 years old and just checked onboard the USS Fox preparing to go to the Persian Gulf when this album was released. I made friends with 5 other metalheads on the ship and we listened to this album ( and Pantera's Vulgar display of power) at least 3-4 times a day everyday during desert Storm!! It got us through some tough times and great memories!!! It was great to see your reaction!!!!
First CD I ever bought, hands down my favorite album of all time. It's engrained into who I am and influenced me to learn to play guitar. It represents a very specific part of my life and will always remind me of the early 90s
I was having my first baby in Feb of 1991. This is the album that got me sprung on Metallica. Then I went back and listened to the previous albums. I loved this album. I rocked it in my car and still do.❤
Saw them live for this album in 91. They were phenomenal also caught justice for all tour just as good. I’m 61 and was lucky enough to be a metal head all my life and saw a lot of good bands in the 80’s and 90’s. Luv the channel man ✌🏻
I was on leave from the Marine corp when this came out. I bought it at a midnight sale from the record store and headed back out to Washington state from Nebraska. Listened to the cd for the next 17 hours. It was different but good. 🤘🏼
Don't listen to people "fans" that disregard Metallica. Decide for yourself. If something is good, it's good. Those elitists just don't want anything Metallica does to be good.
The unforgiven is autobiographical to James Hetfield the singer Once you realize what the song is about and the unforgiven 2 is about it makes it so much better The unforgiven 3 is about him arguing with himself about how he Reacted to his life And the first 2 songs Unforgiven 1 or 2 are about pointing the finger at others unforgiven 3 he points the finger at himself
In 91 I was depressed because all the new grunge music had no guitar leads. This album was a breath of fresh air. Leads, man, leads. Of Wolf And Man was always my favorite, but werewolves were always my spirit animal. My favorite nonster.
How did an album like ten or facelift not have leads? I can understand what you’re saying about nevermind but if we’re talking music nirvana was mid compared to a lot of the grunge stuff
I love your analysis. we were no longer in the 80's. no shade thrown but we were different, We were new and this album helped tell us just how new we were
The generic argument might make sense 30 years later but not in 1991. There was no music of this kind on the airways at the time but Metallica cracked the code and made metal mainstream. Also gave birth to the countless imitators who wanted to milk the metal cow till it was dry. TBA was actually as groundbreaking as Master of puppets, if not for the music then certainly for its impact
I don’t give a F***k what anyone says. This album kicks ass and has always kicked ass. The Metallica fans of past Black Album will argue that they sold out or changed to appease the mass public attention but in my opinion, all bands evolve and all bands have to move onto different type of styles. Otherwise they get complacent. Any true musician knows this and Metallica knew it to Load and ReLoad or some of the coolest sounding songs they ever did, and honestly some of the most technical and best composed pieces but yes, when it comes to absolute head, banger metal, Master Of Puppets, and justice for all and Ride The Lightning top everything they’ve done
Exactly right... Saw an interview with Jason Newsted a few years ago and he explained that while the band was out touring on the previous record (And Justice for All), they were giving out 100% energy night after night on all that intense, fast, complex material that made up most of the catalog to that point (and it was a tour which lasted a few years)... He said everyone in the band realized they had to go in another direction with the next record because they felt there really had no place else to go musically speaking, as they couldn't just write new music which required even *more* energy, speed and endless complexity than they had already just to "push the envelope"... they wanted some slower tempo material as well as shorter, more compact songs to balance things out during concerts. We as fans often forget these are considerations a band takes into account when making records...
When Metallica did the 'black' album in 1990/ '91, no one had predicted that Nirvana would explode in popularity late in the year... The anticipated releases in 1991 were the 2 Guns N' Roses 'Use your illusion' albums... Van Halen's 'For unlawful carnal knowledge'... and Skid Row's 'Slave to the grind'... Motley Crue released some new songs w/ their compilation album 'Decade of decadence'. There were some hints of new bands coming up, like - Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Pantera, Jane's Addiction, Primus, etc... and the Red Hot Chili Peppers had a huge hit that year w/ the album 'Bloodsugarsexmagik' in '91. Metallica were getting so big on the 'And justice for all' tour that they knew the next record would be even bigger... They hired producer Bob Rock, who had a successful commercial records w/ Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, The Cult... He pushed the band to work on an album that would appeal to a bigger audience without compromising their heaviness or aggression. It took a year to finish the album and EVERYONE anticipated that record when it was released in the fall of '91... and it was a hit right out the gate. Metallica would tour until 1994 before taking a break. By that point... Nirvana had come and gone... Pearl Jam, and Alice In Chains disappeared from view, and Nine Inch Nails was the next big thing. There was no thrash metal scene left by '94, except for Pantera, Overkill, Anthrax, Slayer... Death metal had taken over the underground scene... heavy metal had become a losing trend... That was probably why Metallica also decided to attempt to ''fit in" w/ the new 90's rock scene. It's easy to blame Metallica for "selling out" on the 'black' album (That came later w/ the 'Load' / 'Reload albums) but they were not alone... Megadeth also followed suite substituting thrash metal speed for heavy grooves in 1992 for the album 'Countdown to extinction'... Testament also tempered their speed down on their '92 album 'The Ritual'... German thrashers Kreator made the lethargic album 'Renewal' in '92... Other thrash bands like - Exodus, Coroner, Anthrax, Annihilator, also attempted to cross over to a mainstream audience (They failed... more or less) Even a death metal band like Carcass were tempted to streamline their sound on their 1995 album 'Swansong'... but it was pointless. Carcass broke up before it was released and the fans predictably were not happy w/ that record. Everyone working in the metal scene wanted that big break and hefty payday... Only a few bands stayed true to form... Pantera, Motorhead, Overkill, Slayer, Manowar... were the few that remained loyal to their roots.
Money talks and unfortunately commercial success was dependent on the culture businesses want to create. People didn't create these "trends", it was what was shoved into the marketplace deliberately and marketed skillfully. The goal was to create a culture of stupid people, so why pump money into thrash that actually gets people to think? When you can have trash like Bon Jovi influencing people to get them to spend it becomes a leviathan that most sane people can't compete against.
I hear a lot of people say they don't like Metallica because they are overplayed. Here is the great thing about 2023 and beyond. Music is now at your finger tips anytime you want it. It's not like having to turn on the radio and hope to hear the song you want to hear but instead getting that one band twice every 30 minutes. Now, if a band is overplayed, you did it to yourself.
This whole album is a banger and so is Load. Metallica is always heavy, they just became dad rock at one point and it worked financially so fuck it, they went with it. Shit still sounds good.
The first time I heard anything of this album, it was the premiere of "Enter Sandman" on the local radio, I was cleaning the meat room at a grocery store when that came on. I was between my Jr/Sr year of HS...."Sad but True" became my favorite..and still is to this day of overall Metallica songs..loved the Pantera reference!
If this hadn't have come out and launched with Enter Sandman I don't know where my Metallica Fandom would be now...id have gotten to them eventually but... I played my tape of it non-stop back in the day.
@TheAdventuresofTNT You also have to understand the climate at the time. The whole " no music videos" to doing the video for "one" off AJFA, of which for me, did peak my interest in them, then to follow up AJFA with TBA, a polished version of their prior works. Then you think about the videos/singles they dropped for this album and was almost Def Leppard with Hysteria repeated where every song was a hit. The fact they could do nothing else matters AND unforgiven on the same album but still keep that metallica energy is amazing to me, because they were in that anti-ballad headspace. I never got the hate the album received, but in going back to their prior works, I do get where they come from.
This album was the starting point for me in metal since 11th of May,1994 when firstI listened to a whole metal album (although I listened to a couple metal songs the previous year and some years back in 1987-89, but I was too young back then).I remember listening to it 3 times a day for a month.That being said , I have years to listen to it, it's a very good album for a newbie, but the moment you listen the first 3, yo ustart forgeting about it.
When i first saw the video for Wherever I May Roam it instenley became my favorite song on the album. I love the line carved upon my stone my body lies but still i roam
I was a Gunny in the Marine Corps, and this was the growth of the music I grew up with (60’s rock on up). Now I listen to more genres of music, but I still love Rock and Metal. Every one listened to Rock then, and some Country people. Being a tad older now, I like more country than I did then, but I have a passion for the late 60’s to mid 80’s Rock.
As far as the commercial aspect of this album, these guy's hadn't made nearly the money that other bands of their era at this point. Radio play is essential to making a good amount of money. Now you are forced to break into the radio play level as well as tours and hard copy sales, so yeah this is adapting to your surroundings. Don't blame them one bit.
Bought this on cassette in Washington DC, on my 8th grade trip to D.C. Not sure it didn't have a parental consent label, but they sold it to me. I got to the second song, Sad But True, and never looked back. I remember classmates on the bus telling me to settle down, and asking me what I thought I was doing. I had no idea. All I knew was, this is something spiritual, if not spiritual, it's connecting to my soul like nothing else has. I was listening to classic Rock, and my metal was limited to Black Sabbath, and some Iron Maiden. I was also listening to rap. So this was something fairly new to me. I ALWAYS point out to people the way they made these songs flow into each other. The end of a song just... Bleeds into the next. Love it! I will say that at the time my parents were going through a divorce, and I was having a crisis of faith, and knew that the next year I was going to be losing all the friendships I had at the private school I was a part of when I was sent to a public high school... This album... Yeah.
Any Pantera album would be worth a spin. Personal recommendation would be Vulgar Display of Power. That has "Walk". I regard VDOP as a perfect album and top 5 for me. But again, all their albums with Phil are essential and crush from beginning to end.
I felt powerful. It made me feel power. Lyrics are genius. I'm nothing,No one but it made me think maybe I can kick a little ass too. It's mana. Love it always have. Probably always will.🤘a 6. So let me here your song. Ok..I'm waiting lol😂
I'll tell ya what album T should definitely do a full album stream of. A worthy album! An album that will knock T's socks off! A perfect 10/10 All killer/No filler album! 1995's Slaughter Of The Soul by At the Gates
This album is called GROWING and wanting to sell more albums to the masses. Which if you check, one of the best selling rock albums of ALL TIME. They can’t write “ Master of Puppets” over and over. ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ The Black Album” is the best-selling Metallica album with more than 30 MILLION sold!!!!!!
Metallica are probably the most professional band on stage , the evolution of the band over the years is outstanding. This album introduced people to Metallica who had never listened to them and lead to another generation of fans .
I got this Cassette from my music buddy in the States while I was living in Brasil and, while I had heard of Metallica, it still blew my mind how heavy their sound was! Couldn't play it TOO loud in the mission compound LOL
I think the only album from the bands mentioned that come close to Metallica during that time is Pain Killer. I as I said plenty of bands were dropping music but I think this album actually made bands change their styles.
I started high school in '93, and that's about when I heard "Enter Sandman" for the first time, since it was so popular. Around late '94/early '95 was when I heard the rest of the album and was also introduced to "...And Justice for All". Once that happened, I was obsessed.
Most complainers drank so much alchol and took to many drugs .... their mind stopped developing... they never grew up and are still going to concerts acting like they are 16 because they never matured that point .... the pickeled their brains
This was a great album and an end to the Metallica we grew up on sadly everything after was hit n miss. But I still consider them to be the best of our generation.
In 1991 I was 12 years old. I remember watching all these videos on MTV. This was the first Metallica album I ever bought and because I loved it so much I went back and bought all the other albums. Master of puppets wound up being my favorite Metallica of all time. If it wasn’t for this album, I probably would not have gotten into metal the way I have. It was like a gateway band.
Unforgiven series is about Hetfield's life and family dynamics. He was raised on faith, an incident moved him to relatives who made him practice their faith. He was labeled and hated by them. But, as any great song you can mold it into situations that fit your life.
The one's that hate this album usually prefer more raw speed metal Metallica. I like the old but love this album as well. I think this a heavier sounding album but slowed down in comparison.
Holy shit, what a flashback. I was only 10 when this came out and damn near every song on this record was the duckpin bowling alley jukebox soundtrack for me and my friends.
The production on that album is still one of the best in Metallica discography and one of the gold standards for other producers on how to mix and master an album. The album marked Metallica coming out of their teen years, musically speaking and becoming more mature. James did more work on his voice, which later reached its potential, rather than aggressiveness that damaged his voice in earlier years because of wrong techniques. Bob Rock also made them come out of their comfort zone and actually challenge themselves and pus themselves beyond talent and raw energy of the past. The result is different, but its very much Metallica. Some people love trashy side of Metallica, some don't, but I think its important to take into account that whatever one loves , you can't say Metallica plaid it safe. They were always true to who they were in their long career. And if you listen to albums chronologically its like a diary of their lives, ups and downs, having family, sleeping in a car, vs sleeping on silk sheets. Going trough divorce, dealing with being fathers and husbands, losing band members, its all written in their music. After 40 years its pretty impressive. Which ever era or songs one personally likes, one has to respect the artists.
Compared to the older albums, this one lacked a story, I mean the story of the songs, the lyrics are more "civil, from life, interpersonal", no more complex messages or questions, a direct thrust of both the production and the construction of the songs. Only one track, "Wherever I May Roam" has that classic "story telling", the track builds up, comes back, and moves forward again, rolling, like a truck on the highway. Edit : Oh, and yes, "Of Wolf and Man" and "My Friend of Misery ".
T, it's funny how you mentioned a "hate train" when taking about fan reception of this album. Metallica put out a song called Hate Train on an EP between the Death Magnetic and Hardwired albums.
The second half of the album is not weaker than the first, but goes heavier and darker. Thats not as easy listening than people might say. The chunks and lyrics are hard stuff. Its not titles and subject for the so called " aunt of 40 years old " digesting topic.. Irs more introspective
Generational stuff here. I’m 44. Justice was a bit before me. The black album was my first look at metallica. i remember being told be old school metallica fans that the black album was a sell out album. I disagreed. I felt Load was that album. Then i went back to Justice and previous albums….Yes, they were awesome albums. Metallica got older as to why their music changed.
In 1990/91, ‘Alternative’ rock was still pretty niche, as the name might suggest. It was also very diverse-it wasn’t just 500 local bands trying to sound like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, or Alice In Chains. I have a soft spot for 80s/ VERY early 90s (pre-*Nevermind*) alternative bands/alternative records.
Late to the party...but will add another comment just for fun and for the algorythm (however it is spelled). I still remember the day I got this cassette (Christmas present from the parents, '93). I played it nonstop until I decided I had to learn to play guitar. Got a classical (nylon string) guitar for my 14th birthday ('94). Sat for the rest of the year listening to this in 2min repeated plays, trying to figure it out all by ear. No chance getting assistance from my guitar teacher at the time, as he was teaching me classical pieces and had not heard anything remotely like thrash, rock, or metal. Great times. I spent a significant portion of my teens trying to play "harder" music on a classical guitar. I learnt that a good song sounds great no matter the instrument it is played upon. And many many many Metallica songs work really well played as "classical-style" songs. I occasionally sneak in a few of them into my wedding sets (obviously not playing them identically to the originals).
it's a great album, while accessible it's still heavy but it's not thrash, that was the disappointing thing for me hearing it for the first time, was when the last track wasn't a thrasher. to quote Kirk Hammett "if you think the Black album isn't heavy, then you are saying 70s Sabbath isn't heavy". I can't' argue with that. Pantera no doubt built on the groove thing but made it even heavier.
This album to me was 10/10 for me idgaf about what people say about this album. Love ts analogy of acclimating to metal music. My brother was the metal head. This was introduction to Metallica other than earlier hits. I remember no haters during this album release. Even with the not so popular songs, still vibed through side a to b lol.
1991 didn’t start with thrash metal on its way out... 1991 represents the pinnacle of thrash metal, beginning with the huge spring/summer Clash of the Titans tour (Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax). All bands touring off of hit albums from 1990. Then in August ‘91, the Black album drops from Metallica. Stays at #1 for 4 weeks straight on the charts. Yes, it was refined and less thrashy that the ‘80s but my point is bigger than that. Big picture: This is as far as the greater classic hard rock/metal genre as a cultural influence would have on America. It capped off the best of days for the community.
I agree. I think I misspoke on the date.There were definitely some huge albums in 91 a lot of bands were kick getting the 90s kicked off right but things took a sharp in 92 with the explosion of grunge. I think every band you mentioned ended up changing their style.
Hayo The First metallica song I heard was Enter sandman as well! my mortal birth / planet arrival year was 1994 loll and thanks for having a long enough form video for me to play while i sewed / fixed one of my shirts. My 1st official concsious memory of Metallica was when I was 14 the mortal year 2009 on the Canadian rock station 102.1 the edge when I was in a car while my older sister drove and I heard enter sandman on the radio and I asked her, who was that? And she said, Metallica! I heard of linkin park the same way after transformers 2007 ~ Roarr!
I was in 10th grade. Skipped school from school to go to the mall to buy it the day it came out. Wore out 2 copies on cassette. Had to get on compact disk. We played the fuk outa this.
Friend of mine introduced me to metallica in 89 with AJFA album.when the black album came out we lost our minds over it.cranked it to 20 every day! For me the album is very polished and clean but also has so much more breathing room which makes it feel that much more bigger,heavier and more dynamic! I love all of metallica's music and iam a die hard metal fan. I think alot of ppl disliked the black album because everyone could relate to/ like it ,who were non metalheads.music should have no boundaries in my opinion.the black albums success busted the door wide open for metallica to become world renowned and I think that's awesome.what band doesn't want their music to reach everyone?
The unforgiven is autobiographical about James Hatfield and his upbringing Listen to it again with that in mind He is seeing about himself And what he went through The follow-up unforgiven two is also like that But in a different way The unforgiven 3 is where he puts blame towards himself Very deep stuff
Nice nice Bob Rock was the produced on this and it gave that nice clean polished feel. Watch some of a year and a half documentary and you will see 5 minutes alone came out two years after sad but true was released. Both great songs Damn, Pantera’s Walk did come out in 1991 and although Walk is a superior song, I do think they are related at all
I've always enjoyed this album. Metallica is the reason why, I started getting into more metal in recent years. If I'm being honest This album, Master of puppets & ride the lightning are genuinely the only Metallica albums I like. Fans love Justice for all, but i could never get into it...outside of a few tracks
Watch any 80s hair band's Behind the Music episode and they all have the same trajectory...flying high and then Nirvana released Nevermind and they all crashed and burned. The Black Album dropped at the same time and was an absolute monster! Metallica surpassed all their peers with this album while simultaneously surviving the existential threat of grunge. The entire album is a testament to the band being true to themselves while shunning the expectations of others, including their own fans.
Janes Hetfield and Lars Ulrich wanted a change in producer. Fleming Rasmussen ran his course. The 2 heard albums from Motley Crue and The Cult. Both bands happened to be produced by Bob Rock, who likes British punk. Rock was an engineer for the late Bruce Fairbairn, RIP. The 2 worked on Loverboy, Prism, Aerosmith, Whitesnake, Bon Jovi and The Payola$, which was founded by Rock and Paul Hyde. All these bands had hit albums! 🤯 Rock left the partnership to become a producer. He produced The Cult in 1991 in the same year as Metallica. 1991 was the big year for Metallica, Bryan Adams, Mariah Carey, Garth Brooks and Nirvana. All had big albums! 🤯 As a producer for Metallica, Bob Rock cut ✂️ off the super long solos. He had Chris Taylor coach Lars Ulrich. Rock had Hetfield sing more over the top. This helps with endurance. The sound is punk from the British and Vancouver scenes meets Los Angeles and San Francisco metal. Surprise: Bob Rock was in Little Mountain ⛰ Sound Studios , Vancouver, Canada 🇨🇦 for all those hot albums. But for the Metallica album, they were in Los Angeles: Little Mountain, then new Warehouse Studios, built by Bryan Adams, were booked. Nothing Else Matters. Orchestrated by the late Michael Kamen. That year, he wrote the music to the soundtrack of the movie 🎥 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. He , Bryan Adams and Mutt Lange wrote Everything I Do I Do It for You, which was the Billboard Song of the Year in 1991. I like 👍 this album. 9 out of 10 for me. 🤯. I was disappointed 😞 that Clint Eastwood did not put The Unforgiven into the movie with the same name. The movie 🎥 won 🏆 2 Oscars in 1992. Unforgiven, Enter Sandman, Sad But True, Holier Then Thou, Don't Tread On Me and Wherever I Roam are my favorites. 😊 Hetfield and Ulrich wrote sequels to The Unforgiven.
it's a very different from early Metallica. It's not raw Metallica but it's a right turn for Metallica, voice training, mildly open to new concepts, it's cool, and that's it
![ACHERON - [Instrumental Metal //Technical Death Metal - Deathcore//] - SUNO AI Music](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/NCJjprsTA-s/mqdefault.jpg)
The second half of this album is criminally underrated. Some deep stuff
Totally agree, deep cuts that don’t get enough love
I love the second half of the album
💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
This album is a masterpiece. 10/10, IDGAF what anybody says
Correct
I love this album for what it is. Didn't really listen to them much after this album come out but certainly didn't jump on the bandwagon of haters that came from this.
I always felt Metallica would go a different direction after AJFA. Good on them for doing their own thing.
Yes sir
Definitely a masterpiece. One of the bestselling, most beloved albums of all time, in any genre.
Most of the complainers still have the mind of a 16 year old still living in the 80s
The importance of this album cannot be overstated.
I'm glad you made sure to include Nothing Else Matters.
I agree with your final review. Hugely influential and definitely solid. Great for working out, driving, and drywall.
T, I'm so glad you did this and hate that I missed the stream.
This album was a monster success when it came out. It was the gateway drug to SO many eventual headbangers. It led to thrash going from kind of underground to almost mainstream. Many heavy bands owe their success to this album.
I was 17 & in jr high when it dropped and I played the ever loving shit out of it just like every other long-haired leather clad hell raiser i knew.
It's a shame to see how many people loved this record in the early 90's and now claiming it sucked.
I was 19 years old and just checked onboard the USS Fox preparing to go to the Persian Gulf when this album was released. I made friends with 5 other metalheads on the ship and we listened to this album ( and Pantera's Vulgar display of power) at least 3-4 times a day everyday during desert Storm!! It got us through some tough times and great memories!!! It was great to see your reaction!!!!
First CD I ever bought, hands down my favorite album of all time. It's engrained into who I am and influenced me to learn to play guitar. It represents a very specific part of my life and will always remind me of the early 90s
I was having my first baby in Feb of 1991. This is the album that got me sprung on Metallica. Then I went back and listened to the previous albums. I loved this album. I rocked it in my car and still do.❤
Saw them live for this album in 91. They were phenomenal also caught justice for all tour just as good. I’m 61 and was lucky enough to be a metal head all my life and saw a lot of good bands in the 80’s and 90’s. Luv the channel man ✌🏻
Through The Never is probably my favorite track on this album. Yes I am watching the entire thing.
Through the never was definitely my highlight on this album.
Probably one of the most influential metal albums of the 90’s
Best album they ever made! Lifelong fan 43 yrs old
My FAVORITE Metallica album!
Sad but true and wherever I may roam are the best!
I was on leave from the Marine corp when this came out. I bought it at a midnight sale from the record store and headed back out to Washington state from Nebraska. Listened to the cd for the next 17 hours. It was different but good. 🤘🏼
This album is kinda underrated despite selling millions of copies. The deep cuts are better than most of their popular songs
Don't listen to people "fans" that disregard Metallica. Decide for yourself. If something is good, it's good. Those elitists just don't want anything Metallica does to be good.
Yea those aren’t real fans. They are elitist snobs.
i never realized how common this was, for people to be like this is crazy lol, can't let people enjoy anything or give any credit, it's nuts
Yeah, his chat proves that.
The unforgiven is autobiographical to James Hetfield the singer
Once you realize what the song is about and the unforgiven 2 is about it makes it so much better
The unforgiven 3 is about him arguing with himself about how he Reacted to his life And the first 2 songs
Unforgiven 1 or 2 are about pointing the finger at others
unforgiven 3 he points the finger at himself
In 91 I was depressed because all the new grunge music had no guitar leads. This album was a breath of fresh air. Leads, man, leads. Of Wolf And Man was always my favorite, but werewolves were always my spirit animal. My favorite nonster.
This was a huge step in heavy metal into the 90’s
How did an album like ten or facelift not have leads? I can understand what you’re saying about nevermind but if we’re talking music nirvana was mid compared to a lot of the grunge stuff
Fuckin love OWAM
I love your analysis. we were no longer in the 80's. no shade thrown but we were different, We were new and this album helped tell us just how new we were
The generic argument might make sense 30 years later but not in 1991. There was no music of this kind on the airways at the time but Metallica cracked the code and made metal mainstream. Also gave birth to the countless imitators who wanted to milk the metal cow till it was dry. TBA was actually as groundbreaking as Master of puppets, if not for the music then certainly for its impact
Turned up the volume on Holier than Thou. 😂
The expression is "I don't always listen to Metallica but when I do, so do my neighbors."
I don’t give a F***k what anyone says. This album kicks ass and has always kicked ass. The Metallica fans of past Black Album will argue that they sold out or changed to appease the mass public attention but in my opinion, all bands evolve and all bands have to move onto different type of styles. Otherwise they get complacent. Any true musician knows this and Metallica knew it to Load and ReLoad or some of the coolest sounding songs they ever did, and honestly some of the most technical and best composed pieces but yes, when it comes to absolute head, banger metal, Master Of Puppets, and justice for all and Ride The Lightning top everything they’ve done
Exactly right...
Saw an interview with Jason Newsted a few years ago and he explained that while the band was out touring on the previous record (And Justice for All), they were giving out 100% energy night after night on all that intense, fast, complex material that made up most of the catalog to that point (and it was a tour which lasted a few years)...
He said everyone in the band realized they had to go in another direction with the next record because they felt there really had no place else to go musically speaking, as they couldn't just write new music which required even *more* energy, speed and endless complexity than they had already just to "push the envelope"... they wanted some slower tempo material as well as shorter, more compact songs to balance things out during concerts.
We as fans often forget these are considerations a band takes into account when making records...
I was 11 and at the time was a shy nerd who was terrified of the jean jacket metalheads.😅
When Metallica did the 'black' album in 1990/ '91, no one had predicted that Nirvana would explode in popularity late in the year... The anticipated releases in 1991 were the 2 Guns N' Roses 'Use your illusion' albums... Van Halen's 'For unlawful carnal knowledge'... and Skid Row's 'Slave to the grind'... Motley Crue released some new songs w/ their compilation album 'Decade of decadence'.
There were some hints of new bands coming up, like - Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Pantera, Jane's Addiction, Primus, etc... and the Red Hot Chili Peppers had a huge hit that year w/ the album 'Bloodsugarsexmagik' in '91.
Metallica were getting so big on the 'And justice for all' tour that they knew the next record would be even bigger... They hired producer Bob Rock, who had a successful commercial records w/ Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, The Cult... He pushed the band to work on an album that would appeal to a bigger audience without compromising their heaviness or aggression. It took a year to finish the album and EVERYONE anticipated that record when it was released in the fall of '91... and it was a hit right out the gate. Metallica would tour until 1994 before taking a break. By that point... Nirvana had come and gone... Pearl Jam, and Alice In Chains disappeared from view, and Nine Inch Nails was the next big thing. There was no thrash metal scene left by '94, except for Pantera, Overkill, Anthrax, Slayer... Death metal had taken over the underground scene... heavy metal had become a losing trend... That was probably why Metallica also decided to attempt to ''fit in" w/ the new 90's rock scene.
It's easy to blame Metallica for "selling out" on the 'black' album (That came later w/ the 'Load' / 'Reload albums) but they were not alone... Megadeth also followed suite substituting thrash metal speed for heavy grooves in 1992 for the album 'Countdown to extinction'... Testament also tempered their speed down on their '92 album 'The Ritual'... German thrashers Kreator made the lethargic album 'Renewal' in '92... Other thrash bands like - Exodus, Coroner, Anthrax, Annihilator, also attempted to cross over to a mainstream audience (They failed... more or less)
Even a death metal band like Carcass were tempted to streamline their sound on their 1995 album 'Swansong'... but it was pointless. Carcass broke up before it was released and the fans predictably were not happy w/ that record.
Everyone working in the metal scene wanted that big break and hefty payday... Only a few bands stayed true to form... Pantera, Motorhead, Overkill, Slayer, Manowar... were the few that remained loyal to their roots.
Well said !!!!
Money talks and unfortunately commercial success was dependent on the culture businesses want to create. People didn't create these "trends", it was what was shoved into the marketplace deliberately and marketed skillfully.
The goal was to create a culture of stupid people, so why pump money into thrash that actually gets people to think? When you can have trash like Bon Jovi influencing people to get them to spend it becomes a leviathan that most sane people can't compete against.
I hear a lot of people say they don't like Metallica because they are overplayed. Here is the great thing about 2023 and beyond. Music is now at your finger tips anytime you want it. It's not like having to turn on the radio and hope to hear the song you want to hear but instead getting that one band twice every 30 minutes. Now, if a band is overplayed, you did it to yourself.
Through the never .I mean cmon .who can do that better. It's straight fire 🔥
This whole album is a banger and so is Load. Metallica is always heavy, they just became dad rock at one point and it worked financially so fuck it, they went with it. Shit still sounds good.
The first time I heard anything of this album, it was the premiere of "Enter Sandman" on the local radio, I was cleaning the meat room at a grocery store when that came on. I was between my Jr/Sr year of HS...."Sad but True" became my favorite..and still is to this day of overall Metallica songs..loved the Pantera reference!
Lars druming adds so much feel to these songs. Legend.
Agree 100%. It’s his best groove performance on album!
If this hadn't have come out and launched with Enter Sandman I don't know where my Metallica Fandom would be now...id have gotten to them eventually but... I played my tape of it non-stop back in the day.
I agree. I think “Enter Sandman” as a single integral for this albums success.
@TheAdventuresofTNT You also have to understand the climate at the time. The whole " no music videos" to doing the video for "one" off AJFA, of which for me, did peak my interest in them, then to follow up AJFA with TBA, a polished version of their prior works. Then you think about the videos/singles they dropped for this album and was almost Def Leppard with Hysteria repeated where every song was a hit. The fact they could do nothing else matters AND unforgiven on the same album but still keep that metallica energy is amazing to me, because they were in that anti-ballad headspace. I never got the hate the album received, but in going back to their prior works, I do get where they come from.
This album was the starting point for me in metal since 11th of May,1994 when firstI listened to a whole metal album (although I listened to a couple metal songs the previous year and some years back in 1987-89, but I was too young back then).I remember listening to it 3 times a day for a month.That being said , I have years to listen to it, it's a very good album for a newbie, but the moment you listen the first 3, yo ustart forgeting about it.
My friend of misery is let down by the chorus. The rest of it is fantastic
Great you do not interrupt a song making comments... Thank you for that.
Enter sandman will always be my favorite song. I don’t care if it’s overplayed. Every time it comes on my phone or the radio, it’s always cranked.
When i first saw the video for Wherever I May Roam it instenley became my favorite song on the album. I love the line carved upon my stone my body lies but still i roam
I was a Gunny in the Marine Corps, and this was the growth of the music I grew up with (60’s rock on up). Now I listen to more genres of music, but I still love Rock and Metal. Every one listened to Rock then, and some Country people. Being a tad older now, I like more country than I did then, but I have a passion for the late 60’s to mid 80’s Rock.
i think the unforgiven is 10/10
It's not my favorite of theirs but it's trusty, comprehensively excellent and always a good go-to throwback.
As far as the commercial aspect of this album, these guy's hadn't made nearly the money that other bands of their era at this point. Radio play is essential to making a good amount of money. Now you are forced to break into the radio play level as well as tours and hard copy sales, so yeah this is adapting to your surroundings. Don't blame them one bit.
Bought this on cassette in Washington DC, on my 8th grade trip to D.C. Not sure it didn't have a parental consent label, but they sold it to me.
I got to the second song, Sad But True, and never looked back. I remember classmates on the bus telling me to settle down, and asking me what I thought I was doing. I had no idea. All I knew was, this is something spiritual, if not spiritual, it's connecting to my soul like nothing else has.
I was listening to classic Rock, and my metal was limited to Black Sabbath, and some Iron Maiden. I was also listening to rap. So this was something fairly new to me.
I ALWAYS point out to people the way they made these songs flow into each other. The end of a song just... Bleeds into the next. Love it!
I will say that at the time my parents were going through a divorce, and I was having a crisis of faith, and knew that the next year I was going to be losing all the friendships I had at the private school I was a part of when I was sent to a public high school... This album... Yeah.
Any Pantera album would be worth a spin. Personal recommendation would be Vulgar Display of Power. That has "Walk". I regard VDOP as a perfect album and top 5 for me. But again, all their albums with Phil are essential and crush from beginning to end.
Love Lars' footwork in 'Wherever I May Roam'
Great album, Great Memories 🎉! That I will always remember ❤ .
I felt powerful. It made me feel power. Lyrics are genius. I'm nothing,No one but it made me think maybe I can kick a little ass too. It's mana. Love it always have. Probably always will.🤘a 6. So let me here your song. Ok..I'm waiting lol😂
Sad But True. My favorite.
It’s amazing live.
Kirk hammet is mad that he wasn’t allowed to turn his amp up as loud as Dimebag’s amp 😂
I'll tell ya what album T should definitely do a full album stream of.
A worthy album!
An album that will knock T's socks off!
A perfect 10/10
All killer/No filler album!
1995's
Slaughter Of The Soul by At the Gates
YES!!! Bruh, I wanna do that album so bad. That’s definitely a go.
This album is called GROWING and wanting to sell more albums to the masses. Which if you check, one of the best selling rock albums of ALL TIME. They can’t write “ Master of Puppets” over and over.
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
The Black Album” is the best-selling Metallica album with more than 30 MILLION sold!!!!!!
Metallica are probably the most professional band on stage , the evolution of the band over the years is outstanding. This album introduced people to Metallica who had never listened to them and lead to another generation of fans .
The background music to some of the best times of my life ❤ .
I got this Cassette from my music buddy in the States while I was living in Brasil and, while I had heard of Metallica, it still blew my mind how heavy their sound was! Couldn't play it TOO loud in the mission compound LOL
4:06 Dio, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest had albums released in 1990… but continue
I think the only album from the bands mentioned that come close to Metallica during that time is Pain Killer. I as I said plenty of bands were dropping music but I think this album actually made bands change their styles.
As a huge Maiden fan, I will say tht 1990's No Prayer For The Dying is an absolute pile of 💩.
Cheerio 🎩
I didn’t wanna say that but no one ever mentions request from that album.
This was the 1st album I heard in my college dorm room as a freshman in 1991. Nevermind was the 2nd. The world was never the same.
I started high school in '93, and that's about when I heard "Enter Sandman" for the first time, since it was so popular. Around late '94/early '95 was when I heard the rest of the album and was also introduced to "...And Justice for All". Once that happened, I was obsessed.
Most complainers drank so much alchol and took to many drugs
.... their mind stopped developing... they never grew up and are still going to concerts acting like they are 16 because they never matured that point .... the pickeled their brains
I have two CDs of this album it's a 9.8 for me.❤
T I would love to see you do the Allman Bros...Live at Fillmore East...it's SO good!!
This was a great album and an end to the Metallica we grew up on sadly everything after was hit n miss. But I still consider them to be the best of our generation.
In 1991 I was 12 years old. I remember watching all these videos on MTV. This was the first Metallica album I ever bought and because I loved it so much I went back and bought all the other albums. Master of puppets wound up being my favorite Metallica of all time. If it wasn’t for this album, I probably would not have gotten into metal the way I have. It was like a gateway band.
Unforgiven series is about Hetfield's life and family dynamics. He was raised on faith, an incident moved him to relatives who made him practice their faith. He was labeled and hated by them. But, as any great song you can mold it into situations that fit your life.
The one's that hate this album usually prefer more raw speed metal Metallica. I like the old but love this album as well. I think this a heavier sounding album but slowed down in comparison.
I agree. Where it lacked in speed they came through with the heavy chunky riffs.
@@TheAdventuresofTNT Absolutely, well put.
Holy shit, what a flashback. I was only 10 when this came out and damn near every song on this record was the duckpin bowling alley jukebox soundtrack for me and my friends.
There are allot of old head gate keepers ... who believe after album 4 they sold out ... which is total BS
T, have you checked out RIDE THE LIGHTNING? PLEASE DO! Love your channel.
Happy New Year to you and Tasha!
Yea, it’s a banger. It should be on the channel.
The production on that album is still one of the best in Metallica discography and one of the gold standards for other producers on how to mix and master an album. The album marked Metallica coming out of their teen years, musically speaking and becoming more mature. James did more work on his voice, which later reached its potential, rather than aggressiveness that damaged his voice in earlier years because of wrong techniques. Bob Rock also made them come out of their comfort zone and actually challenge themselves and pus themselves beyond talent and raw energy of the past. The result is different, but its very much Metallica. Some people love trashy side of Metallica, some don't, but I think its important to take into account that whatever one loves , you can't say Metallica plaid it safe. They were always true to who they were in their long career. And if you listen to albums chronologically its like a diary of their lives, ups and downs, having family, sleeping in a car, vs sleeping on silk sheets. Going trough divorce, dealing with being fathers and husbands, losing band members, its all written in their music. After 40 years its pretty impressive. Which ever era or songs one personally likes, one has to respect the artists.
Compared to the older albums, this one lacked a story, I mean the story of the songs, the lyrics are more "civil, from life, interpersonal", no more complex messages or questions, a direct thrust of both the production and the construction of the songs. Only one track, "Wherever I May Roam" has that classic "story telling", the track builds up, comes back, and moves forward again, rolling, like a truck on the highway. Edit : Oh, and yes, "Of Wolf and Man" and "My Friend of Misery ".
T, it's funny how you mentioned a "hate train" when taking about fan reception of this album. Metallica put out a song called Hate Train on an EP between the Death Magnetic and Hardwired albums.
You nailed it about Sandman
How many years later? I still know all the words to every single song on this album. Should tell ya something. hehe
The second half of the album is not weaker than the first, but goes heavier and darker.
Thats not as easy listening than people might say.
The chunks and lyrics are hard stuff.
Its not titles and subject for the so called " aunt of 40 years old " digesting topic..
Irs more introspective
Generational stuff here. I’m 44. Justice was a bit before me. The black album was my first look at metallica. i remember being told be old school metallica fans that the black album was a sell out album. I disagreed. I felt Load was that album. Then i went back to Justice and previous albums….Yes, they were awesome albums. Metallica got older as to why their music changed.
I was 22 Going to the Strip Club. I grew up in the 80s hair metal, but I’ve always like all kinds of music . Never be closed minded.
What you’re hearing and describing is called better PRODUCTION. That’s why it sounds so clean. It’s Bob Rock produced. It’s polished!
He did a great job
In 1990/91, ‘Alternative’ rock was still pretty niche, as the name might suggest. It was also very diverse-it wasn’t just 500 local bands trying to sound like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, or Alice In Chains. I have a soft spot for 80s/ VERY early 90s (pre-*Nevermind*) alternative bands/alternative records.
Late to the party...but will add another comment just for fun and for the algorythm (however it is spelled). I still remember the day I got this cassette (Christmas present from the parents, '93). I played it nonstop until I decided I had to learn to play guitar. Got a classical (nylon string) guitar for my 14th birthday ('94). Sat for the rest of the year listening to this in 2min repeated plays, trying to figure it out all by ear. No chance getting assistance from my guitar teacher at the time, as he was teaching me classical pieces and had not heard anything remotely like thrash, rock, or metal. Great times. I spent a significant portion of my teens trying to play "harder" music on a classical guitar. I learnt that a good song sounds great no matter the instrument it is played upon. And many many many Metallica songs work really well played as "classical-style" songs. I occasionally sneak in a few of them into my wedding sets (obviously not playing them identically to the originals).
Dime loved Metallica
Nothing else matters is not just another balad it is The Balad!
it's a great album, while accessible it's still heavy but it's not thrash, that was the disappointing thing for me hearing it for the first time, was when the last track wasn't a thrasher. to quote Kirk Hammett "if you think the Black album isn't heavy, then you are saying 70s Sabbath isn't heavy". I can't' argue with that. Pantera no doubt built on the groove thing but made it even heavier.
This album to me was 10/10 for me idgaf about what people say about this album. Love ts analogy of acclimating to metal music. My brother was the metal head. This was introduction to Metallica other than earlier hits. I remember no haters during this album release. Even with the not so popular songs, still vibed through side a to b lol.
1991 didn’t start with thrash metal on its way out...
1991 represents the pinnacle of thrash metal, beginning with the huge spring/summer Clash of the Titans tour (Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax). All bands touring off of hit albums from 1990.
Then in August ‘91, the Black album drops from Metallica. Stays at #1 for 4 weeks straight on the charts. Yes, it was refined and less thrashy that the ‘80s but my point is bigger than that.
Big picture: This is as far as the greater classic hard rock/metal genre as a cultural influence would have on America. It capped off the best of days for the community.
I agree. I think I misspoke on the date.There were definitely some huge albums in 91 a lot of bands were kick getting the 90s kicked off right but things took a sharp in 92 with the explosion of grunge. I think every band you mentioned ended up changing their style.
Pinncale of thrash in 1991?No way, thrash was already in decline since 1989, 1986 is the devinitve, most important and best thrash metal year
Black album came out in '91, vulgar display of power came out '92
Yep. It was Pantera sounding like Metallica. Don't get it twisted.
@@tallycahamuhlhetru26I do not understand what you said.
Pantera sounding like Metallica? How?
Hayo The First metallica song I heard was Enter sandman as well! my mortal birth / planet arrival year was 1994 loll and thanks for having a long enough form video for me to play while i sewed / fixed one of my shirts.
My 1st official concsious memory of Metallica was when I was 14 the mortal year 2009 on the Canadian rock station 102.1 the edge when I was in a car while my older sister drove and I heard enter sandman on the radio and I asked her, who was that?
And she said, Metallica!
I heard of linkin park the same way after transformers 2007
~ Roarr!
5:54 starts!
Lol
I was in 10th grade. Skipped school from school to go to the mall to buy it the day it came out. Wore out 2 copies on cassette. Had to get on compact disk. We played the fuk outa this.
Love this album ❤
The producer Bob Rock , is the same one who Produced Motley Crue’s, Dr. Feelgood !
Friend of mine introduced me to metallica in 89 with AJFA album.when the black album came out we lost our minds over it.cranked it to 20 every day! For me the album is very polished and clean but also has so much more breathing room which makes it feel that much more bigger,heavier and more dynamic! I love all of metallica's music and iam a die hard metal fan. I think alot of ppl disliked the black album because everyone could relate to/ like it ,who were non metalheads.music should have no boundaries in my opinion.the black albums success busted the door wide open for metallica to become world renowned and I think that's awesome.what band doesn't want their music to reach everyone?
8.5 IMO. I like the first 3 albums better but this is still a fantastic album.
The unforgiven is autobiographical about James Hatfield and his upbringing
Listen to it again with that in mind
He is seeing about himself And what he went through
The follow-up unforgiven two is also like that But in a different way
The unforgiven 3 is where he puts blame towards himself
Very deep stuff
I seen them 6 times once with guns n roses and they still selling out shows all the time now tell me who is the best
In my opinion this a is the best album they ever put out. I like alot of their albums but thi a one is amazing
Nice nice
Bob Rock was the produced on this and it gave that nice clean polished feel. Watch some of a year and a half documentary and you will see
5 minutes alone came out two years after sad but true was released. Both great songs
Damn, Pantera’s Walk did come out in 1991 and although Walk is a superior song, I do think they are related at all
You're in for a treat
I've always enjoyed this album. Metallica is the reason why, I started getting into more metal in recent years. If I'm being honest This album, Master of puppets & ride the lightning are genuinely the only Metallica albums I like. Fans love Justice for all, but i could never get into it...outside of a few tracks
pre black album was phenomenal. post black album til today even better
Watch any 80s hair band's Behind the Music episode and they all have the same trajectory...flying high and then Nirvana released Nevermind and they all crashed and burned.
The Black Album dropped at the same time and was an absolute monster! Metallica surpassed all their peers with this album while simultaneously surviving the existential threat of grunge.
The entire album is a testament to the band being true to themselves while shunning the expectations of others, including their own fans.
This album really does how talented they are and how good a singer hetfield is
Janes Hetfield and Lars Ulrich wanted a change in producer. Fleming Rasmussen ran his course.
The 2 heard albums from Motley Crue and The Cult. Both bands happened to be produced by Bob Rock, who likes British punk. Rock was an engineer for the late Bruce Fairbairn, RIP. The 2 worked on Loverboy, Prism, Aerosmith, Whitesnake, Bon Jovi and The Payola$, which was founded by Rock and Paul Hyde. All these bands had hit albums! 🤯
Rock left the partnership to become a producer. He produced The Cult in 1991 in the same year as Metallica.
1991 was the big year for Metallica, Bryan Adams, Mariah Carey, Garth Brooks and Nirvana. All had big albums! 🤯
As a producer for Metallica, Bob Rock cut ✂️ off the super long solos. He had Chris Taylor coach Lars Ulrich. Rock had Hetfield sing more over the top. This helps with endurance. The sound is punk from the British and Vancouver scenes meets Los Angeles and San Francisco metal. Surprise: Bob Rock was in Little Mountain ⛰ Sound Studios , Vancouver, Canada 🇨🇦 for all those hot albums. But for the Metallica album, they were in Los Angeles: Little Mountain, then new Warehouse Studios, built by Bryan Adams, were booked.
Nothing Else Matters. Orchestrated by the late Michael Kamen. That year, he wrote the music to the soundtrack of the movie 🎥 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. He , Bryan Adams and Mutt Lange wrote Everything I Do I Do It for You, which was the Billboard Song of the Year in 1991.
I like 👍 this album. 9 out of 10 for me. 🤯. I was disappointed 😞 that Clint Eastwood did not put The Unforgiven into the movie with the same name. The movie 🎥 won 🏆 2 Oscars in 1992. Unforgiven, Enter Sandman, Sad But True, Holier Then Thou, Don't Tread On Me and Wherever I Roam are my favorites. 😊
Hetfield and Ulrich wrote sequels to The Unforgiven.
it's a very different from early Metallica. It's not raw Metallica but it's a right turn for Metallica, voice training, mildly open to new concepts, it's cool, and that's it