Limited double vinyl Import edition of Metallica's 1991 hit release. Metallica (also known as The Black Album) is the eponymously titled fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released on August 12, 1991, through Elektra Records, received widespread critical acclaim and became the bands best-selling album. Metallica produced five singles that are considered to be among the bands best-known songs: Enter Sandman, The Unforgiven, Nothing Else Matters, Wherever I May Roam, and Sad but True. Dont Tread on Me was also issued to rock radio shortly after the albums release, but the song did not receive a commercial single release. The album marked a change in the bands sound from the thrash metal style of the bands previous four albums to a less harsh one. Metallica promoted the album with a series of tours. In 2003, the album was ranked number 252 on Rolling Stones list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.