Metallica's 'Metallica' transatlantic gets #1
12 August 1991
Metallica wanted their next album to stand up alongside the greatest Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and AC/DC albums, and invested $1 million into the recording to make it happen. The aptly named Bob Rock (Producer of Moetley Cruee's "Dr Feelgood") was drafted in to help strip down their sound and make it more commercially palatable.
The inclusion of the dark ballads 'Nothing Else Matters' and 'The Unforgiven' are testament to the producer's influence on the record. The resulting album may have divided loyal Metallica fans but launched the band into superstardom and became a transatlantic number one. "Enter Sandman" was on constant MTV rotation and the record kept selling, eventually clocking up 15 million sales. Lars Ulrich is honest about the fact that the album saved the band's career, but more modest about the fact that it saved metal from 'death by grunge'.
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Jay, Glasgow
I saw Metallica on Sunday in London (2nd time) and wow... Just wow. Thats all I can sayChris Stourbridge, West Mids
Metallica`s black album completely changed my life with regards to the music that i now listen to. My first encounter was seeing them on tv as a 12 year old performing at the Freddie Mercury concert and the feeling i got when the errupted with Enter Sandman as their set opener. I`ve been hooked on them and their music ever since. And i can`t wait to see them at wembley on 8th july - the first time i`ll actually be seeing them live!hayley, telford
well im 13 and i think metallica are the best! they absolutly rock and there a massive influence to me! i think that the black album is 1 of the best albums aswell as many others. Love metallica and black sabbath they are the best! They have both really inspired me! Rock on!Ronan M, Ardee
Megadetah and slayer shouldnt be in the list im really disapointed that TOOL wer not included there one of the biggest art/progressive rock/metal groups of all time. Im also slightly annoyed that bands like the Artic Monkeys are on the list they are definatly not a new force in music because they havent done created a new style. But over all its a brilliant programme.Zara , Southampton
This album was a huge influence on my teenage years and it is, simply and undisputably, a metal classic. In fact, I think it is just a classic:period.Robert Hodgson, Stockton-on-Tees
I was born in 1992, and i'm really into heavy metal, mainly Metallica and Megadeth and I have albums that are 6 years older than me. This shows the effect of heavy metal even now.Rowan, Hampshire
This album changed the way other bands looked at and played heavy metal, one of the most inspiring albums to date...steve jackson
i really love rock and heavy metal jimmy henrix has to be one of my favorites cremes aswell black sabbeth has to be my all time favorite and i am so glad that ozzy has done another album i am so wanting it for my birthday thaks see you later stevevinny g wakefeild
you need to add some other bands for example :lamb of godhammerfallfinntrollslayerburzumMEGADEATH!led zepplinarch enemykorplicarnipantera rage against the machinesaxonhelloweenand tool!these bands are not mentioned and are very important! plz read it and consider itJack Walker, South East England
Metallica! All the way, these guys have inspired millions of people including myself. The true pioneers of metal.ross,taunton, somerset
this album changed my views on music 4ever!Aaron Waller, Cyprus
They sold out the day they made that


Bob Rock
Producer
Produced the Metallica album with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich.