The fifth album in Metallica’s career, the self-titled work, popularly known as the “Black Album”, showed the band exploring new sounds, beginning the partnership with Canadian producer Bob Rock. The piece has so far sold approximately 31 million copies worldwide, being the most commercialized of the last three decades in all musical styles.

A total success, right? Not in James Hetfield’s opinion – at least not once. In an interview with playboyin 2001 (saved by the site Far Out Magazine), the singer and the guitarist reflected on the final result of the work. And he confessed that he was not completely satisfied.

“There are songs there that I don’t like. “Through the Never” got a little silly. ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ is probably not one of my favorites musically. And ‘Holier Than Thou’ was one of the dumbest, most old-fashioned compositions.

The album’s darker, more reflective atmosphere wasn’t just a superficial shift in approach. In addition to the natural maturation that age brings, three of the four members divorced during the period – James himself was the exception. Even so, it deepened the emotions in moments like “The Unforgiven” and “Nothing Else Matters.”

“They were songs with lyrics more about me than others. They raised questions that I considered important about life.

Metallica and the “Black Album”

In 2012, Metallica celebrated two decades of the “Black Album” with a tour where they performed it in its entirety – however, with the track listing in reverse order, from last to first song. Including songs disapproved by Hetfield.

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