Few records in history have crossed over like Metallica’s self-titled 1991 release, better known simply as The Black Album. Heavy metal can, at times, be a tough listen for non-devotees, but a combination of outstanding songcraft and epic layered guitar tone made Metallica’s fifth album accessible to fairweather listeners and hardcore metal fans alike. It’s the band s biggest success and a heavy metal classic.
Today, 30 years on, the songs have a second life, as 50+ artists of various genres and generations (Royal Blood, St. Vincent, Jason Isbell, The Hu, Miley Cyrus, to name a few) reimagine Black Album cuts for tribute album, The Metallica Blacklist. It’s a lesson for any musician in how to put your own stamp on a cover version, and it rams home the breadth…
