IICRLT Part 7: Metallica's Black Album

Seems pretty safe to say that if you Title your 5th or 6th studio album with the word "Black" the chances it will become a classic are pretty high. With over 15 million sales in the US and 22 worldwide this is the definitive Metallica album. The legendary Bob Rock produced LP isnt my favorite album by them, but is definately theyre best overall piece of work as far as mixes, the production, and the individual performances each band member provided. James sounds amazing on this album, Kirk's unforgiven solo is impossible, and Lar's timing was as good as its ever been and its a credit to how well the took direction from Mr. Rock. Its really cool to take a look into some of the sessions and seeing how much work went into making an album like this some 18 years later.
Taken From Wikipedia, I think this best describes the band/producer relationship lol
"Metallica was produced by Bob Rock, who was originally asked to mix the album as the band was impressed with his work as producer on the Mötley Crüe album, Dr. Feelgood.[1] Initially, the band was not interested in having Rock produce their album, but changed their minds as Ulrich stated; "We felt that we still had our best record in us and Bob [Rock] could help us make it."[1] The Black Album's sound was a marked difference from the stripped down production of the previous album. Rock altered the band's working schedule and routine so much that they swore never to work with him again. The animosity and tension between band and producer was documented in the documentaries A Year And A Half In The Life of Metallica and Classic Albums: The Black Album. Both explore and document the intense and merciless recording process that resulted in The Black Album."