1. Enter Sandman
2. Sad But True
3. Holier Than Thou
4. The Unforgiven
5. Wherever I May Roam
6. Don't Tread On Me
7. Through The Never
8. Nothing Else Matters
9. Of Wolf And Man
10. The God That Failed
11. My Friend Of Misery
12. The Struggle Within

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Quite simply, their Classic Album
With well over a hundred reviews for this album, why should I add another? There is nothing more to be said other than
1) When they next get together to get another series of 'Classic Albums - The Making Of' DVD's, this should definitely be one of them, and
2) Every 'serious' rock fan's collection should have this album, it is absolutely essential!!
Say No More!!

Not bad but not their best
Metallica's Black Album is a self-indulgent effort. Perhaps a couple of descent songs, they do after all still play Enter Sandman and Nothing Else Matters live, but the rest of it forgettable. Really only worth purchase of entire album for hard core fans who have to own everything. Apparently, it had a difficult making and it doesn't feel spontaneous in the way the early albums do. Bob Rock is really responsible for creating the Metallica sound from this album to St Anger, he even plays guitar on tracks for them, presumably since better able to play what he had in his mind for them with regards musical direction. I think that says a lot, and probably marks the fact that creatively Lars and James were dry, yes I know: smile at that metaphor, and were paying others to generate their music for them. Still they are impressive live in their stadium tours and sell/package their merchandise well.

Irrefutebly a classic
I came to Metallica late, this was the first album I bought after seeing them on the 'Freddie Mercury Tribute' at Wembley in 1992. I was already into metal, but at that time it was Faith No More, RHCP, that sort of thing. What got me the most was the sound, that heavy brutal metal sound but with a real attention to structure and attitude. And the musicality (sic) of it too. In 1992, being just 17, Metallica's Black album defined an entire year for me - it was the year I left school and the summer before I went to college. I have fond memories of discovering Metallica, so for me this album will always be more about how I feel about it much more than the actual songs on it.

BASS AND DRUMS BIGGER AND HEAVIER THAN CLOVERFIELD!!!
Whilst not in the same class as Ride The lightning or Master Of Puppets, this is still a very good album - probably the best place for Hard Rock/Standard Metal fans to make a jump to something heavier (although I wouldn't label this as Thrash).
90% of this album is down to production - in 1991 it was THE best I had ever heard for any Metal album, and 17 years later it still sets a standard. The snare drum and bass guitar tone are awesome; the perfect balance of power and clarity, just listen to Sad But True for the sheer weight of it. It's certainly the best place to hear Jason Newsted's work with Metallica - the bass lines are not very adventurous but it's all about the tone and the groove (If you want to hear Jason do what he was never allowed to do with Metallica, then I strongly recommend Flotsam & Jetsam's 1986 album, Doomsday For The Deceiver, where Jason cut his teeth - fast, heavy, Steve Harris style lines!).
Guitars are clean, simple but strong riffs, highly melodic solos, and a polished vocal from Hetfield.
This isn't ultra heavy, or progressive like the mid '80s albums, but it's a vast improvement over the awkward, and poorly produced And Justice For All release. Credit must go to Bob Rock for this who was probably the hottest Rock producer at the time (Motley Crue, The Cult).
This album even includes the band's first work with Michael Kamen who masterminded the subtle orchestration on monster ballad Nothing Else Matters. Kamen would work with the band a few years later for Classical/Metal crossover release, the epic S&M live album.
Highlights: Enter Sandman, Sad But True, Holier Than Thou (for the bass!),
Nothing Else Matters, The God That Failed, The Struggle Within (the closest track to speed/thrash, with VERY heavy mid section).
The only reason, I wont give 5 stars is the songwriting is bit too commercial and mid tempo at times (anyone who has heard the likes of Call Of Ktulu or Orion will know what I mean). Indeed, I think fans of Nickelback would like this as it sounds similiar, albeit a lot heavier/darker than the Canadians.
Play VERY loud, and if Death Magnetic is as good as this, then it's job done! 3rd best studio album for me after MOP and RTL, amd much better than AJFA or the misguided St Anger. Also strongly recommend S&M, and maybe even Garage Inc...

Metallica at their best
Before and after this album Metallica released some great stuff but this is the album where it all came together nicely!

Some of my favourite Metallica tracks are included on this album, e.g. Enter Sandman, Sad But True, The Unforgiven and above all Nothing Else Matters. But the rest of the tracks aren't bad either ... in fact this is one of those rare albums where I can honestly say doesn't include a poor song.

17 years after its release (God, that makes me feel really old) this album still sounds fresh and is still a good yard stick against which to measure other metal albums.

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