Enter Metallica

There’s a small handful of albums that can truly be called revolutionary, not just for how they changed the trajectory of the artists who created them, but for the entire surrounding cultural landscape. Metallica’s self-titled 1991 opus—best known as “the Black Album” for its monochromatic cover—is on that short list. Prior to its release on August 12, 1991, Metallica were already giants, bursting from the ’80s Bay Area thrash metal scene to become MTV staples with “One” from 1988’s ....And Justice for All. But by teaming with veteran and aptly named producer Bob Rock for their fifth studio LP, the band vaulted into the center of the universe, distilling everything they honed over the course of their previous four albums into a polished and streamlined, but no less ambitious, package. Structurally and sonically epic singles like “Enter Sandman” and “Nothing Else Matters” were inescapable then and remain part of the firmament now, redefining the scope and scale of mainstream rock—all at a moment when grunge’s relative minimalism was coming into vogue. Apple Music is marking the 30th anniversary of this game-changer by showcasing The Metallica Blacklist: a truly unique tribute that perfectly demonstrates the album’s vast, singular appeal, featuring covers of its dozen tracks by 53 artists ranging from J Balvin and Jason Isbell to Kamasi Washington and Rina Sawayama, with every conceivable genre turn in between. Below, check out why Metallica—and Metallica—are so legendary, and keep checking back for more surprises in the weeks ahead leading up to the big anniversary.