One of the weirdest rides in metal history could be going through Metallica’s whole discography. Even though every record has some amazing material, the thought of going from the sonically richest albums ever produced to something like Lulu or St. Anger is enough to make people wonder if they are crazy by the middle of the experience. James Hetfield believed that nothing could compare to The Black Album. He was among the select few who could say he had witnessed it all during every phase of the band.
However, there is still a sizable contingent of metal fans who detest the band’s mainstream success wholeheartedly. These were the underground guys who would never have a big hit on the radio. They were going to play in stadiums for the rest of their lives. But wouldn’t everything have grown boring if they had continued in that manner?
Not much could be improved about The Black Album, for those doubters who curl up with their copies of Master of Puppets and never say “Enter Sandman.” It did have a more glossy, commercial feel to it. But why would we all be debating whether the record sounded good if they hadn’t shot themselves in the foot with And Justice For All?
Although it took some getting used to for songs like “Nothing Else Matters,” it is by no means a bad thing. This record introduced metal music to millions of people who otherwise would not have given it a second thought. It wasn’t without difficulties, though. Hetfield had to work everything back into shape after blowing out his voice halfway through the record.
Hetfield told VH1 that “it was a constant battle between Lars and I.” Lars Ulrich and Hetfield also had their share of tension, but it was all for the benefit of the album. We would argue for hours about absurd things that had no bearing on the situation. However, the tension and static created an electricity that made everything reach a new peak.
The album has continued to be one of the best-selling metal releases of all time, even without their first big hits on the radio. When listeners hear songs like “Sad But True” and “The Unforgiven,” it typically serves as an introduction to Metallica for any budding fan. They slightly muted their sound, but that was by no means a negative thing.
Each song on the album relates to a portion of their previous sound, despite being slightly less intense. If you enjoyed “Holier Than Thou,” you should listen to some of their heavier songs, such as “Master of Puppets“. Alternatively, if you preferred the ballads, you could return and listen to “Fade to Black” or “Welcome Home (Sanitarium).”
Although the band did go a bit too far in the opposite direction while recording Load and ReLoad, The Black Album strikes the ideal balance between their more aggressive and sensitive sides. At this point, it may be the metal equivalent of Dark Side of the Moon. However, sometimes those kinds of banner numbers serve a very valid purpose.
