Slayer’s Kerry King gives his opinion on Metallica’s Black Album

PhotoSlayer guitarist Kerry King gave his opinion in an interview with Metal Hammer on Metallica‘s Black Album, released in 1991 that had hits like “Enter Sandman”, “Nothing Else Matters” and “Sad But True”.

Slayer’s Kerry King gives his opinion on Metallica’s Black Album

“I may not have been super-stoked on it, but I never hated it the way a lot of people did. To this day, I like that record a lot. I think it’s Metallica. But I don’t think it’s thrash Metallica. There was so much grief over that when it came out. To be honest with you, everything that came out after that for a long time, that’s what I have a problem with. But The Black Album? It’s still heavy. It’s got some fast stuff on it.”

Slayer was formed in 1981 in Huntington Park, California and  retired back in 2019 after their worlwide farewell tour.

The Black Album

Released on August 12, 1991, by Elektra Records, the album is commonly referred to as The Black Album because of its packaging design that was meant to replicate AC/DC’s “Back In Black” idea, that paid tribute to the death of singer Bon Scott, since Metallica had lost bassist Cliff Burton in a tragic accident.

Its recording took place at One on One Studios in Los Angeles over an eight-month span. Which frequently found Metallica at odds with their new producer Bob Rock. The album marked a change in the band’s music from the thrash metal style of their previous four albums to a slower, heavier, and more refined sound.

It debuted at number one in ten countries and spent four consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard 200, making it Metallica’s first album to top the album charts. Also is one of the best-selling albums worldwide.