10 Non-Metallica Black Albums by Bands

Metallica’s Black Album made waves in the heavy metal world, representing a significant shift for the band towards a more mainstream sound without sacrificing quality. The album marked a pivotal moment in Metallica’s career as they managed to retain their old fanbase while attracting new listeners to their music.

Following in Metallica’s footsteps, several other bands have released their own versions of ‘Black Albums,’ achieving greater commercial success and expanding their appeal to a wider audience.

Gojira’s album ‘Magma’ catapulted the French legends into the spotlight, maintaining their signature style while delivering tracks with big, catchy riffs that resonated with listeners. Tracks like “Stranded” and “Silvera” garnered millions of streams on platforms like Spotify, showcasing the band’s growth and popularity.

Def Leppard’s ‘Pyromania’ marked a significant shift for the band, moving from traditional heavy metal to arena rock and achieving massive success with hits like “Photograph” and “Rock of Ages.” Similarly, Avenged Sevenfold’s ‘City of Evil’ propelled them into mainstream recognition with chart-topping singles like “Bat Country,” solidifying their position as a Platinum-selling band.

Ghost’s album ‘Prequelle’ showcased the band’s versatility, combining elements of ballet, rock opera, and ’80s-style ballads to create a unique sound that resonated with fans. The album’s singles like “Rats” and “Dance Macabre” propelled Ghost to arena band status, showcasing their growth and evolution as musicians.

Bring Me the Horizon’s ‘Sempiternal’ redefined metalcore with its electronic components, wall of sound, and departure from traditional metal conventions. The album was instrumental in shaping the future of the genre and solidifying the band’s position as festival headliners and crossover favorites.

In Flames’ ‘Reroute to Remain’ divided fans with its synth-driven sound, marking a departure from their earlier style while expanding their international profile. Similarly, Scorpions’ ‘Lovedrive’ catapulted the band to commercial success with its memorable songwriting and massive ballads.

Sepultura’s ‘Roots’ ushered in a new era for the band, transitioning into groove metal and achieving commercial success worldwide. Baroness’ ‘Yellow & Green’ showcased a shift from heavy sludge to indie rock, earning critical acclaim and chart success.

Slipknot’s ‘All Hope is Gone’ marked a commercial shift for the band, incorporating clean singing and soft touches to create hits like “Psychosocial” and “Snuff.” The album’s commercial approach propelled Slipknot to new heights, solidifying their position as one of metal’s biggest acts.

In conclusion, these bands successfully navigated the transition to a more mainstream sound while retaining their unique identities and quality music, emulating Metallica’s success with their iconic ‘Black Album.’