Raw Thoughts

Debuting at No. 1 and staying there for 4 weeks, Metallica’s self-titled album (The Black Album) was undeniably one of the greatest albums of all time. With hits like “Enter Sandman,” “The Unforgiven,” “Nothing Else Matters,” “Wherever I May Roam,” and “Sad But True” the album still plays true today, 20 years later.

Released on August 12, 1991 – yes, it was a Tuesday – the Black Album was the fifth release for the band and has sold over 22 million copies world wide, putting it in the list of the top 25 highest selling records in US history.

But what if August 12, 2011 was the release date for the Black Album? Would it be as celebrated by Rolling Stone, Spin magazine and The Billboard Charts?

I think not…it’s “Sad But True.”

And here’s why.

1. This one’s easy, nobody buys albums anymore (Ironically, this has made Lars a very unhappy man for several years now). The album would probably see a good number of iTunes downloads, but nothing close to the massive numbers of ’91.

Only Lady Gaga can do that now.

2. The awesome branding of a completely black album would fall on blind eyes. Nobody goes to record stores anymore, so who cares what the album looks like.

3. Who is gonna hear the single? I don’t know about the radio stations where you live but “Wherever I May Roam” it seems to me that the rock stations in this country are done. Unless it instantly debuts inside the Top 20 Ryan Seacrest isn’t going to play it.

4. Metallica doesn’t wear make-up, use AutoTune or sequence beats into their songs. A must-have for the hits of the 2000′s. Or they could feature Lil Wayne to feature on “The Unforgiven.”

5. Metallica is known for making awesome music videos, but since the advent of crap television like “Teen Mom” and “Teen Wolf,” you just don’t see music videos anymore.

Maybe if they renamed it “Enter Teen Sandman.”

I guess we can all be thankful it was released 20 years ago, or it might not have been accepted the way it was.  Today, it’s all about Pop, Country and fashion in the music industry these days. It seems “Nothing Else Matters” anymore…

Take a stand, pick up a guitar and learn to play “Enter Sandman.” We will all be better off for it.