I was stumbled upon a post in Facebook today:

‘The Black Album‘ was released 33 years ago (August 12, 1991)

Phew, time flies. Life has changed so much in the past 33 years.

Back then, I was still a student in Mathematics Science, Diponegoro University. Reluctant student, to be honest. As it was not my choice. I was forced to go there as I didn’t pass color blind test for Electrical Engineering school. (More about this story here on)

But that’s not the story of this post.

Well, at least part. As I write this post just to reminisce the past. Remembering what it’s like when this album came out to the store. Here are couple of tidbits of what I can remember:

Finding the Cassette

I’d been looking to buy this album on cassette store (mind you, it’s early 90a). I had difficulties finding it. Until my friend in college said that the cover is just “Black”. No image or text whatsoever.

Then I finally found it. Yes, it was black. Hence the name. Or how the people call it then. As it’s actually a self-titled album. Looking at it from close range, then you realize there’s Metallica band logo. And the subtly printed snake icon. Honestly, I wasn’t a fan of the cover. And I’m still not right now. But hey, “don’t judge the book from its cover”

First Listen

I rushed back home and started listening to the music. It wasn’t at our home actually. But I listened it together with my cousin. At his room. We heard the first track: “Enter Sandman”

From the first listen, I already felt the sound was big and powerful. Although I kinda disappointed at first. I though Metallica would create harder and faster songs. Yes, I expected Metallica to show the world they are the “King of Thrash Metal”

The rock music scene in the world, and particularly in Indonesia was bombarded with the rise of thrash and death metal. Following the successful visit of Brazilian’s Sepultura that year, many young metal fans including me, were thirsty of this kind of genre.

Learning the history of Metallica which helped invented the Bay Area metal scene, I hoped Metallica would produce album like “Ride the Lightning”. Or even faster.

Well I’m glad they didn’t. As the popularity of thrash and death metal era soon were wiped away by grunge. Metallica, on the other hand, stood tall and released its biggest album in the history.

Big Records

Yes, this is the Metallica’s most successful album, in terms of commercial success. To date, it has sold an estimated 31 million of physical copies worldwide and is certified 16-times platinum in the US. It spent 750 weeks of non consecutive weeks in Billboard Top 200.

It’s not only big in numbers. It’s also “big” in sound. It’s one of the few records which has excellent sound, particularly on the pounding sound of the bass and drums.

It’s been told that Lars Ulrich was impressed with the big sound coming from Motley Crue’s Dr. Feelgood album, released one year earlier. He wasted no time to hire Bob Rock, the producer of that album, to work on the upcoming Black album, replacing their long-time producer, Flemming Rasmussen.

The hiring of Bob Rock did not only change the sound of Black Album. He was also responsible for shaping Metallica’s musical direction. It strayed to a more mainstream audience. With slower, yet still hard metal songs which require James Hetfield to explore higher pitched notes that what he used to sing (or growl).

That time, it was a controversial decision, which many long time Metallica fans were not in favor. Including myself. “Metallica is a sell-out” was a strong sentiment back then.

But I guess in the end, that musical direction brought Metallica to be one of the biggest musical, not only metal, act in United States.

And 33 years on, they’re still relevant. And has established themselves as legend in metal music. Hence this post to pay respect to these guys.

Long live Metallica!

Written on the way to Indramayu, for an office visit.