black album

Metallica album released in 1991, it was officially self-titled, it was nicknamed "black album" after the completely dark black art cover. Metallica's most popular album, sold over 10 million copies.

Released in 1991 by Metallica.
Become known as the "Black Album" due to it's cover.

In 2003, Jay-Z released his final album, also known as "The Black Album", only to confuse fans of both artists.

An album released by an established band or musician that ends up falling below expectations. The album is still good, but not nearly as good as the previous releases. All further albums continue the downward trend to mediocrity. Originates from Metallica's self titled album which is popularly known as "The Black Album" due to its all black cover.

The nick name for the self-released album released by the metal band Metallica in 1991.

Despite the claims of the millions of defenders of this album, it was the turning point of the band where they lost their thrash status and sold out by releasing more mainstream-friendly, simplified and softened songs. Fans claim it still has their "metal edge" but if anything this "edge" is BARELY there.

It has many of their famous songs on it and has sold the most copies of all their albums to date. Nevertheless, the quality on the album is actual piss-poor when compared to their lesser selling previous 4 albums, albums that were actually thrash.

In summary, Metallica may have still retained some "metal" status on this album but it was a sell-out effort, the reason being up to this point they were known as the Pioneers of Thrash but then got greedy and changed their sound to be more "experimental", or in actuality, to sell more records.

1) when you are left by your friends
2) when you hang up on somebody on the phone without saying "bye"

In addition to TheEye5000's definition I would also like to ad a few other artists who have an album by the name of "the Black Album":
Buzzy Linhart 1972
The Damned 1980
Prince 1987
Kino 1990
L.S.G. 1998
Mad Trucker Gone Mad 2000
Junction Creek 2000
Oda 2001
K-Otix 2002
Edenpark 2003
Akhenaton 2004

So in reality, Jay-Z and Metallica are copying The Damned and Buzzy Linhart

Among others, the name of Metallica's, in my opinion, tied for second-best album wit Ride the Lightning and behind Master of Puppets. Most people call it a sell-out because it sold a lot but maybe thats just cuz its fucking GOOD man. I mean, Enter Sandman could be one of the greatest songs ever, def in Metallica's top 5. Moreover, ever listen to Dont Tread on Me, Through the Never, Sad But True, The Unforgiven, Nothing Else Matters, Wherever I May Roam...to name a few. Sure a few of the songs o nthe album are shit. But the vast majority are good. I mean they def didnt TRY to sell out, these peoples just found this shit good and so they bought it. You listen to the Black Album and then yyou tell me it sucks. Dont be a tool. Anydangway, Probably the last good album done by Metallica.