ALBUM REVIEW CREW EPISODE 55: "METALLICA 'THE BLACK ALBUM'"
On the 55th Episode of the Album Review Crew of Shout It Out Loudcast, Tom, Zeus & special guest, comedian and podcaster Don Jamieson, review the 1991 legendary album by Metallica, the self-titled album known as the "Black Album."
The "Black Album" was Metallica's fifth studio album. It propelled Metallica from a small, but dedicated fan base to superstardom. Led by frontman, main lyricist and rhythm guitarist James Hetfied, polarizing drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist extraordinaire Kirk Hammet and bassist Jason Newsted.
The album features five singles including a couple ballads, which were unheard of previously and the now classic, Enter Sandman. Although they did have a video for the previous album's single, "One", Metallica really utilized MTV and the music video format to propel the "Black Album."
The album made it to Number 1 on the US Billboard charts and has now gone 16X platinum, making it not only Metallica's biggest selling album, but one of the biggest selling album in history.
The album was produced by Bob Rock and although it may have been a tumultuous relationship, which was documented, the result cannot be denied.
As usual the boys breakdown and dissect the tracks and rank the songs. They then rank the album and the album cover against the previous albums reviewed on the Album Review Crew.
This was Tom's pick.
So tune in to see if the album satisfies the purist or the newbie Metallica fan and if it makes them Rock Hard!