In 1991, the release of Metallica's self-titled album marked numerous changes for the band. Obviously the most noticeable change was in their music, with most of the tracks on this album clocking in at under five minutes and the song structures were dramatically simpler than on "...And Justice For All". Gone was Flemming Rasmussen as the producer, and in came Bob Rock, who would have a decided influence on the direction of the band for the next several years. But even with all these overhauls, "Metallica" never seem to get off the ground and the result is a plethora of mediocrity.

From a sales point of view, "Metallica" sold well over fifteen million copies around the world, though it's hard to imagine how such a mundane album could accomplish this incredible feat. Most of the material on this disc sounds too stripped down, lacking Metallica's epic songs such as "Master of Puppets" and "Fixxxer". The sheer blandness of many of the tracks force me not to recommend this album as a purchase, but if you're still interested in just how much clutter there is, read on.

1) Enter Sandman (5: 29)

- Metallica gets the ball rolling nicely with the mega-hit "Enter Sandman". Things start off slowly, with Kirk Hammett keeping a steady pace on the guitar, and then everything builds up to a crushing entry by lead singer James Hetfield. The chorus is memorable, speaking about a child's nightmarish dream and being watched over by the shifty character known as the sandman. Many people who had never listened to Metallica before started paying more attention to the band after the release of this track, as it was neither to hard nor to soft but just the right tempo to intrigue new fans. Not their best opening track, but still a solid number to start an album with.

Grade: 8/10

2) Sad But True (5: 24)

- "Sad But True" gives Hetfield a chance to growl more than any other track, and it bares resemblance to "Devil's Dance" on ReLoad. It's a dark, moody piece about the evil inside a person that's finally unleashed and wrecks havoc on them.

Grade: 7/10

3) Holier Than Thou (3: 47)

- Because the band didn't want to abandon their thrash roots entirely, songs like "Holier Than Thou" were made in order to keep some of their older fans happy. This one in particular has an extremely catchy beat, but the lyrics aren't exactly jaw-droppingly imaginative. The song is basically about hypocrites, always badmouthing others for what they say and do, but then these same people turn around do what they've condemned. The bottom line is this is one of the faster songs on the album, despite the fact that it's a little on the short side.

Grade: 8/10

4) The Unforgiven (6: 26)

- The first true ballad, and one of the better tracks on this CD, is "The Unforgiven". It's arguably Metallica's darkest song, talking about a young boy who is always forced to abide by the rules and when he grows up, he regretted not breaking them for his benefit. Lars Ulrich keeps everything together with his controlled drum work, and Hammett's guitar solo is strikingly adept. While it can't match the success of it's sequel, "The Unforgiven II", it's no less captivating.

Grade: 8/10

5) Wherever I May Roam (6: 42)

- All looks well and good, but from here on in things will steadily meltdown into oblivion. "Wherever I May Roam" begins softly with only the guitar, but not long after Ulrich comes slamming in on the drums and the pace picks up considerably. The problem is that the beat just isn't memorable and for a song well over six minutes long, that's a killer.

Grade: 5/10

6) Don't Tread on Me (3: 59)

- I don't much care for "Don't Tread on Me". Much like "Attitude" on ReLoad, this song is deep and heavy, but lyrically it's a big mess. It's speaking about patriotism, pure and simple of the good old U.S. of A. Hammett's solo is forgettable, and the chorus is repeated about a billion times too many. My advice? Skip it, and hope things improve.

Grade: 4/10

7) Through the Never (4: 01)

- "Through the Never" has by far the best intro of any track on this album. Hammett wails away on the power chords and Ulrich is spot-on with his impeccable drum work. This is the first time I've mentioned Jason Newsted on the bass, because until this point, he's really been ignored. However, at least he has some moments to shine on this album, unlike "...And Justice For All", where they must have forgotten to plug in his bass before they began recording. As far as the song goes, it talks about one man's pursuit of knowledge and his goal to understanding everything around him. Not a very exciting concept, but the quick pace will keep most people interested.

Grade: 7/10

8) Nothing Else Matters (6: 29)

- Here is where you'll first notice the drastic improvement in Hetfield's voice. He actually sings a love song to perfection, instead of his usual array of grunts, growls, and screams. "Nothing Else Matters" was actually a love song in the beginning, but it turned out to be a tribute to many of Metallica's fans. Either way, this is a soft, yet extremely emotional ride that shouldn't be missed.

Grade: 8/10

9) Of Wolf and Man (4: 16)

- Another moody, yet ultimately empty song about one man's transformation into a werewolf. The beat is very deep but it gets weary pretty fast, and the lyrics aren't good or bad...they're just there. Still, give credit to Hetfield for some fairly lively, crunching vocals.

Grade: 4/10

10) The God That Failed (5: 15)

- "God That Failed" is more of the mediocrity I spoke of earlier. Much like "Don't Tread on Me", it just seems like the band ran out of lyrics towards the end and just ended up recycling the tired chorus over again. This song talks about Hetfield's mother, who believed solely in God to save her from cancer. In the end, she passed away and in Hetfield's eyes God has failed. With such a depressing topic, I expected this track to be sad and heartbreaking, but it ended up being neither.

Grade: 5/10

11) My Friend of Misery (6: 47)

- "My Friend of Misery" opens almost exactly like "Enter Sandman", with Hammett chugging away on the guitar before the rest of the band comes barreling in. This track is simple, but effective. It deals with an outsider looking upon a man floundering in self-pity and anger, who seems to have a very pessimistic view of everything around him. Far and away the best part of the song comes at the 3: 21 mark, where the pace slows briefly, creating such a haunting and gripping sound. If there is one flaw, it's that this track could have been shortened a bit without losing any of its luster.

Grade: 7/10

12) The Struggle Within (3: 51)

- It's quite ironic that with this album, Metallica was trying to get away from their thrash music and go mainstream, and it ends up that the best song on the album is the very thrashy "Struggle Within". From minute one this track is heavy, fast-paced, and has possibly the most memorable lyrics of any of the twelve tracks. Hammett and Hetfield fire away on the guitars, and Ulrich beats up a storm on the drums. "Struggle Within" is also the only truly great song on The Black Album, and one that by now, most people should have heard.

Grade: 10/10


In conclusion, The Black Album represents a glass that is half empty, not half full. Metallica's foray into mainstream music never could top what they accomplished in later years, and is merely adequate when compared to their previous work on Puppets and Justice. To put it briefly, "Metallica" sounds like a cross from the thrash of "...And Justice For All" and the softer rock of "Load", creating an uneven, monotonous album.







Recommended: No

Great Music to Play While: Cleaning the House