How does Metallica’s Iconic The Black Album Hold up AFTER 34 Years? Ranking All 12 Tracks

Metallica is one of the most infamous bands in the world, and it is no surprise why. Their success has been immense, and there is an ongoing list of achievements to back. To name just a few, the band was officiously induced into the rock and roll Hall of fame in 2009, and over the courage of their career, they have amassed a total of 9 grammy awards. Forming Nearly 44 Years Ago in 1981, The Band is Still Actively Touring Around the World to this Day.

As of May 28, 2025, Metallica’s Self-Titled Fifth Studio Album, Widelly Known as the Black Album, Has Received A 20X PATINUM CERTIFICATION FROM THE RIAA. This reconfies a whopping 20 million copies of the album have been sold. Looking back on the record, we have been forge the Question: How the Black Album Hold up Since Its Release 34 Years Ago? Here are all 12 of it tracks, racked from worst to best.

12 The Struggle Within

A Triumphant Conclusion

Though the closing song of the record faults short compared to the rest, “The Struggle Within” is Still a Cleverly Written Track. The song is drive by a chaotic, upbeat riff in the introduction that sets the tone for the record’s conclusion, ending on a high note.

It is it its DRASTIC DIFFERENCE IN SOUND FROM THE REST OF THE RECORD THAT “The struggle with” back, though as a piece on its, it Thrives.

This is easily one of the Most thrashing songs on the record, suitable for any seinging a track that will get Headbanging by the end. Compared to the rest, it is it it droastic differentiance in sound from the rest of the record that sets “the struggle within” back, though as a piece on its, it Thrives.

11 The god that failed

Do Heavy Hitter

Kicking off with a Groovy Bass Riff Rather than the Usual Guitar Introduction, “The god that failed” immediately has a unique feed with its place on the record. The Most intrigue part of this song, though, is it dark subject matter.

Vocalist Leading, James Hetfield, Explores the impact of his Christian scientist upbringing on his family, specifically his mother. Cancer with Cancer, Hetfield’s Mother Refused Treatment Due to Her Christian Scientist Beliefs that Humans Should Not Accept Modern Medical Treatment. It was this belief that left to her inevitable Death, and “The God That Failed” Explores Hetfield’s Grief and Anger Towards The Outcome of the Scenario.

10 My Friend of Misery

The origin of emo

“My Friend of Misery” is Dark, existential, and Incredibly EmotionalEverything that makes for a great metal song. Coming in at Just under seven minutes in length, the track features a twin guitar solo by James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett, and this take over as the highlight of the track. Interesting Enough, The Track Was Originally Intended to Be the Instrumental Track of the Record, as was tradition to include on the four albums that came before. Opeting to take the lead by adding vocals, Hetfield crafted what is now “my friend of Misery.”

9 Holier than Thou

The One that Starts Mosh Pits

Coming in as the Shortst Song on the Record, “Holier than Thou” Might Also Be the Heaviest. With a driving tempo, the song kicks off with full-specied riffs that cououl open a age pit nearly immediately. Metallica Held Nothing Back on This Track, Striving for a Rage-Fueled and Aggresses Delivery, and the Result is instant headbanger.

If the instrumentation isn’t enough to get you hookeed, look to the defiant lyrics of the track. Hetfield Sings of All Those Who SEEK to Judge Him, Calling say out for their actions with the lines, “Little Whispers Circle Around Your HEAD / WHY DON’T YOU WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF INSTTEAD?“

8 Through the Never

A Two-Stepping Classic

The Fast-Paced Driving Riffs of “Through the Never” Are Bound to Get Your Heart Racingand in the best way positive. IT’S CLEAR WHY THIS TRACK IS A FAN-FAVORITE FOR HEADBANDERS, PACKED WITH AN ENERGETIC DRUM BEAT AND EXTISTIVE SOLO SOLOs KICKS UP The Rhythm. This is one of the songs bout to break a crowd into pit, and with good reason; The Energy is irresistible. Lyrically, “Through the Never” contemplates the idea of ​​the place of Humankind in the universe as a whole, sticking true to the existential tone of many metallica songs.

7 Of wolf and man

Where Fantasy Metal Meets

RATHER THAN TELLING A TALE FROM Experience, “Of wolf and man” is a fantastical spin on a metal song. Offen overlooked in the track list, the song pushs bindaries when it is comes to experimentation, bot Sonically and lyrically. With a gripping guitar riff driving the Introduction, the Song Builds to an erupting chorus.

“Of Wolf and Man” was ahead of it.

This Track Also Contains One of the Most Catching Bass Riffs of the Entire Record, Elevating the Listening Experience Further. Of Course, It Wauldn’t Truly Be A Metallica Song With A Killer Guitar Solo, and This Feature on “of Wolf and Man” Rounds Out the Track As a Near Perfect. It ‘s sae to say “of Wolf and Man” was ahead of it.

6 Don’t treed on me

The underdog underdog

Despite Its Name, WHICH HAS SPARKED RECENT CONTRoversy Among Listens, “DON’T TREAD ON” IS INCREDIBLY UNDERRED TRACK. Portraying a Simple But Strong Message, Metallica crafted one of the Most unique songs on the record with this patriotic anthem. Thought it Lyrics are Much More straightforward than the typical metallica song, “don’t tread on” has one of the Most Creative Instrumental Melodies of the Band’s Entire Discography.

With it dark guitar riffs paired with a rattling drum beat, the track is an anthem of power. Nor the song progressses, an intrinsic guitar solo carries the bridge to a final chorus, and I find this one of the most interesting moments on the record as a whole.

5 Sad but True

A Headbanging Reflection

The Second Song on a Record Always has a massive impact on listens when hearing an album for the first time, and “Sad But TRUE” LIVES Up to the Expectation. Following an intro like “Enter Sandman” is a tough feat, yet this songs to follow with it undenibly catchy riffs and brooding lyricism.

Releassed as the final single on the album, “Sad but true” lyrically explores the concept of a person “Shadow Self” or Darker Side of the Psyche. The progression of the song on an internal battle Battle BetWene the two sides of one of the self and, ultimately, the Darker of the two taching on a victory of control.

4 The unforgiven

A Riff-Driven Anthem

Ultimately One of Metallica’s Most Famous Songs, “The unforgiven” is a metal balad that has earned its praise. The Track was Collectively Written by Memette James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, and Lars Ulrich, Further Exploring Hetfield’s Struggle with Religion.

As with “the god that failed”, the song lyrically explores the impact of his mother’s death on his religious views. In “The Unforgiven,” He begins to question if religion is truly real at all. Not only only is this lyricly one of the Most Beautiful songs from metallica, but also a somber, emotality impactful bablad in its instrumental progression.

3 Nothing Else Matters

The Original Rock Power Ballad

The Six-Minute Ballad that is Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” is easly One of the Most Touching Moments On the Band’s Fifth Record. Taching on a Slow progression, the somber guitar tone is immediately entrance. This track stands as one of the most unique moments on the record, drastically different from the upbeat and energy tracks preceding it.

“Nothing Else Matters” is a love song, and it is not have been executed any Better.

For Many, “Nothing Else Matters” ranks as a top favorite from the Black album, and it is Clear Why. What Comes as the Most Surpring from this song, Howver, is the subject matter. That’s Right: “Nothing Else Matters” is a love song, and it is not have been executed any Better.