I know that some would say that the black album is where Metallica sold out. If you mean sold their souls to the devil to blend thrash metal and pop to create an addictive masterpiece of headbanging, fist pumping, awesome, then I agree with you. The black album is not an album I can judge on merits of any kind. Some albums are so engrained in your growth as a person that they are beyond reproach. This is the album that drew me deeper into the world of music. I can still remember listening to it and being upset that I couldnt tell what the name of the song playing was. My brother could listen to a riff and immediately name the track. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world and it was this thought that drew me to an obsession with knowing bands, albums and songs after hearing only a small snippet of a song. It still bothers me when a song comes onto my ipod and I cant immediately name all of those things. Musically, the band introduced me to the power behind metal and they did it while sounding cool as hell. No wimpy 80’s hair metal sound here. No one can growl quite like James Hetfield. Sad but True sold me on the true power of a riff. Not only that, the Black Album made it ok to accept your softer side with wonderful songs like The Unforgiven and Nothing Else Matters. It’s funny because I hardly ever listen to the black album but the second I put it on, a million childhood memories start flooding back. Metallica also became a social calling card in the early days. Oh, you like Metallica? We’re cool. The album remains one of the shining examples of successful pop metal and constantly reaffirms my love for music.
What does it make me feel like?
METALLICA!!! (Tongue sticking out, hands forming the horns above my head)
What to Listen for Track by Track
– It’s almost always about the riffs when it comes to Metallica. Who can forget that first drum build up and then crash into the signature Enter Sandman riff.
– 23 seconds. That’s how long it takes before you realize Sad but True may have the greatest headbanging riff of all time. Seriously, try not to nod your head to this. It isn’t possible.
– Everything about The Unforgiven! Get your lighters out!
– The opening notes of Where Ever I May Roam! That sitar is unbelievable. Another headbanging masterpiece.
– The opening guitar part of Don’t Tread on Me is probably responsible for my eventual love for neoclassical metal.
– The solo of Nothing Else Matters! I love this song!!!
– “Back the the meaning of… Life!” Of Wolf and Man
– The bass line of My Friend of Misery! The first thing I learned when I picked up bass.
– Once again, the opening guitar and drums on The Struggle Within
Example Track
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