The Classic Metal Song That WIPED OUT An Ocean Of Pop And Took Over The Radio | Professor of Rock

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the greatest Metal song that went mainstream?

[@ProfessorofRock]

@Anna Trail Good call.

[@mza2195]

Iron Man, Enter Sandman, and Crazy Train for me.

[@dgarve]

It has to be "Crazy Train" by Ozzy, or "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath.

[@retread1083]

Would In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida be considered metal? Pretty heavy for 1968 and it got a ton of air play. Most infamous one-hit-wonder of all time?

[@RBS_]

...yikes, this one's tricky..... Some would say AC / DC's "You Shook", or, Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A ..." , would be 'Metal', but Stryper's "Honestly" , or Cinderella's "Nobody's Fool" wouldn't be 'Metal', because they're Ballads.... (CONT.) ...BUT, I'll go with the OBVIOUS, 'sugary' choice...***POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME!!*** ...hell, I stay away from Baseball Games, BECAUSE of it!! "😣"...ha-HAA!!

[@catoosa9395]

""King Nothing" and "Enter Sandman" by Metallica in my car always gets me to participate in what local law enforcement considers "reckless driving".

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha. Good on ya.

[@zachlewis9751]

Every time I hear King Nothing I’m always surprised it’s so often played on the radio.

[@bryangarnett8386]

I am retired. I was a High School wrestling coach for 32 seasons. I was head coach for 11 seasons. Enter Sand Man was our run out song during home matches. The intro was perfect and we then exploded into the gym and my team circled the mat and paired off into intenser take down drills. It was the perfect song!!!! Prior to being head coach, as an assistant, we ran out to AC/DC's Hell's bells.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Both great "get your heart pumping" songs!

[@HubertofLiege]

My sons middle school team ran out to “stranglehold” once. Good times.

[@jcbass2u]

Enter Sandman was Virginia Tech's Football entry music every home game, they even got Metallica's blessing to use it. This was a great time to be alive, and the Black album was and is a masterpiece. I bought it the day it came out, popped it into my Cassette player on the way home, and got a ticket for forgetting to put my seatbelt on, totally worth it. that was how excited I was about having a new Metallica album to listen to.

[@PaulLoh]

For my 15th birthday, a friend of mine gave me a cassette copy of the black album. Up until then, I was listening to stuff like Poison, Warrant, Motley Crue, Guns n Roses, and Ugly Kid Joe. That album opened my eyes up to a whole new world of music. I did what I had to in order to get the rest of Metallica's albums, which was difficult since my dad had just gotten stationed in Seoul, Korea. The Korean version of Master Of Puppets has a very different lineup of songs than the American version. Back then, I had no idea that it even was different. There's nothing quite like the feeling of lying in your bedroom with your walkman and reading the lyric sheet while you listen to a new album. Those were the formative years of my life as a metal fan.

[@robster7316]

One of the best intros of any rock/metal tune, period. Interesting story behind this song, especially with all the lyrical changes that were made along the way!

[@XAMS]

Not even top 3 intros in a Metallica song though. Fight fire with fire, battery, blackened all better

[@davidpierce9949]

@@XAMS i agree. And justice for all, that lead in is way better as well

[@adastra5346]

One of the most iconic albums of that era. I played it through.....all the time.....for a year.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I know exactly what you mean!

[@BillPenny]

Watching the premiere on MTV blew this 13 year old kid's mind and changed my musical focus. I was absolutely obsessed with these guys and their music.

[@btchhopperou812]

Through the Never was/is my favorite off the Black album. It doesn't beat around the bush and gets straight to the push. And it basically describes the human experience from outside the body- more of an ethereal experience they provide the listener with. It's one of those tunes that is best listened to with really good headphones, in the dark under a clear, open, moonless sky, IMHO anyways. Thanks Adam! Much love

[@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921]

Enter Sandman is cheesy. This stuff was diaper music compared to Blues Rock. Just my opinion.

[@rachelpenny5165]

I think all the songs off the black album are very good.

[@shannonhailey7187]

I can't help but think of the performance they did with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots playing school instruments on The Tonight Show. Still one of my favorite tv moments.

[@Elwaves2925]

I can't stand Fallon but I might have to check that out.

[@shannonhailey7187]

@@Elwaves2925 He has done it with several artists and it's by far the best one in my opinion

[@Elwaves2925]

@@shannonhailey7187 I did check it out and it's pretty funny to see how into it they all are. Cheers for mentioning it as I may never have seen it. 🙂

[@deanrobert9953]

Ha! Just found it and its great.

[@Slamb68]

My oldest son was killed in a tragic accident in 1995. I was devastated and didn't want to speak to many people in public. I took a job with my company working the graveyard shift and listened to album rock stations. I remember the first time I heard Metallica was the Black album. I had always liked heavier music like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath when I was younger but hadn't followed metal much having been turned off by Glam Metal. It moved me. The whole album did. I still love Metallica at 68 years old and have attended concerts with my 2 remaining sons and my 2 sons-in-law. Their lyrics have meaning. Great band!

[@acelynch8110]

The Black album is theONLY album that I ever stood in line for to buy at midnight when it was released. It still plays as good today as it did 30+ yrs ago. @ProfesserOfRock - as always, good job on the vid.

[@toddclark6862]

First time I remember hearing Enter Sandman was in a parking lot where I was working as a cart collector. Someone was blasting it in their car from the other side of the parking lot, probably like 60-70 yards away. People had serious car stereo systems in those days. It blew me away. I'd never heard anything rock that hard yet be so melodic and catchy. The "it's just the beast under your bed, in your closet, in your head" was actually cathartic for me. I'd struggled with fear of the devil throughout my childhood. Rocking to this song and singing along to those lyrics helped me overcome that fear and, ironically, helped me sleep!

[@valedslinger6290]

Sir, I'm 63. Soaked up everything to do with music. From Sinatra to Alice Cooper. I was in the perfect place in my known world as a teen. Smack in the middle of the music venue trilogy. 5 miles from The brand new Cap Centre, 20 miles from RFK, 40 miles from Merriweather Post Pavilion. I truly saw everyone touring. The Stones, McCartney & WINGS , Springsteen, Bad Co. The Dead dozens of times. Elton John 4 times. My point, the most awesome concert performance by anyone ever, (Woodstock hold my beer), Metallica , Enter the Sandman, Moscow 91. 1.6. Million in Attendance. Unfortunately for me, that one I watched on video. Time capsule in space material. Earth Metal.

[@robertbussie9979]

I have seen a bunch of your videos and they are awesome. As a Librarian I can say easily say that your research is excellent. As a music fan I enjoy your interviews and insightful thoughts. You need your own music show on TV. KZbin is great and all, but your talent needs to be on more platforms.

[@RhymesWithCarbon]

I watched the premiere of “Enter Sandman” on MTV and it was one of those “oh crap…. My life will never be the same again” moments. It was my introduction to thrash metal and I dove in full speed ahead to all things metal, listening and absorbing it all like a sponge.

[@janzedwicksantos6015]

I love this! as a fun of metallica from philippines and all of the artist you say like redhotchillipeppers,sound garden sting coloe me bad and all the glam metal is my favorite and i'm a drummer and enter sandman is the second song that ived learn in drums after sweet child

[@KenKopper]

Metallica, Guns and Roses, and Faith No More was my first concert in 92. Great show. I still have a sense of nostalgia when I listen to the Black Album

[@janetmcguffey1394]

Enter Sandman converted me into a metal fan........it totally blew my mind and still does.....childhood fears...such a classic storyline..."off to Never never land"...how genius is that !!!!

[@JimbobZ17]

Great year for rock . We was listening to Metallica and Ozzy No more tears. AC/DC released razors Edge in September 1990. Everybody was listening to these 3 albums back in the day.

[@kevinpollard9010]

Absolutely love your content. Your channel is one of only a few that I have the notification bell on for. Thanks for all you put into them. Please don’t stop!

[@Thats-Ray-Cest]

Enter Sandman, the opening song to what was just an amazing album. The Unforgiven video on MTV was what got me into Metallica when I was 11 years old. Now a lifelong diehard fan!

[@computernerdtechman]

I had an almost identical introduction to Metallica. My friend invited me over and played Enter Sandman. I fell in love with the song right away. That weekend I went and bought the Black Album.

[@SuperPersonalJesus]

Such a great and Important Channel. You keep the Legends alive . Thank you For that. Greets from Germany . P.s. DM is my Favorite too ;)

[@sheriandreas8260]

Cool video. Thank you Professor.

[@erikl1447]

Sitting here watching this video with a hockey game on tv....guess what song they play..."enter sandman". 30 years later it's still iconic

[@Iceman77772]

As a die hard Metallica fan I remember the day it was released on MTV. I was waiting in anticipation for the video/song debut for this masterpiece and was blown away ! Amazed by the heaviness and simpler approach to their usual complicated fast tempo music. It was so fresh and different but did not disappoint one bit.🤘😎🤘

[@SavageAirCinema]

I remember seeing Metallica play this song live, on MTV awards. Was sooooo glad a metal song was finally played live at the awards. I was 19 at the time, and metal was still considered underground and only had Headbangers Ball to watch.

[@sandybruce9092]

OK - I just found your videos on KZbin - I’m admitting to be one of the older generation (born 1947) so I’ve been through a lot of music changes. In the middle 70s I had just started to hear Metal (I’m slow on the take up sometimes🥴). My son was born in 1980 and by the time he was maybe 10 or 11 he had begun to listen to Metal also. Right now I’m in what we laughingly call “his” newsroom (he’s married with kids and is 42) and there is a Metallica poster still in the wall. I know he’s seen them a few times in his past - but it’s because of him that’s I really started to listen more. And I still do prefer metal/hard rock or whatever it’s called now. My friends think it’s really strange!!!! I’m so glad for SXM radio as I can listen to whatever I want, whenever I want. Thanks for this great video.

[@theduchessofkitty4107]

How about the drums in “Enter Sandman”? Those drums!!! Those drum sticks were on fire!!!! Even today, if you go to Guitar Center, you might find someone taking those sticks and try their luck with “Enter Sandman” in the background. I sure saw someone doing so not long ago.

[@ProfessorofRock]

You're right. The drums rock.

[@DiogeneDeSin0pe]

Another great one, guested the song right away when I saw your shirt.

[@teflongoon]

I worked in a record store when the Black Album came out. We couldn't keep the CD on the shelf. It was nuts. However, the album DID divide fans. A lot of hardcore fans saw it as Metallica selling out. And by the way, *Master of Puppets* is their best album. It's perfection. The greatest metal album ever recorded.

[@miked3712]

The Black album was like a wake up call. I was 17, out of high school absolutely lost in the world, hopeless and full of anxiety, social isolation, and a bleak outlook on the future. This album kept me going one day at a time.

[@Jcruzer70]

Having been a Metallica fan since 1986 and holding their first 4 albums in such high regard, I remember myself along with so many other OG Metallica fans being disappointed with the Black album. Took a few years for me to realize it really is a phenomenal record. Now I look forward to them playing the classic cuts from the Black album in concert. Nothing Else Matters is also one of the greatest power ballads ever written. 🤘🤘

[@IronSikh44]

I remember how much hard core Metallica fans hated this album. But you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing Sandman! It was a staple at our hockey games during warmups. Looking back and listening to this album now, shows how many other phenomenal songs were on it (Wherever I May Roam). This album still holds up today like so many other Metallica classics.

[@bcfriardoyle7697]

The Black Album is a treasure. I was a soft rock girl. My hubby loved Metallica. I heard the album so much…I loved it, started to ask him to put it on. I’m a fan now!!

[@kennethjenkins3972]

When this album came out I was in the military in the Middle East, sitting on a ship in the Persian Gulf and everyone on board was listening to this album.

[@lonewolfrcs1331]

man i was 17 when the black album came out and i remember going to tower records and waiting in line to buy the cassette and i was there at yankee stadium when Mariano Rivera retired and nobody knew it was coming and out the blue enter sandman come blarring on the loud speakers the whole stadium exploded into cheers and singing along when he came out to thank everyone and i have the honor to live just a few blocks away from him in new york now man such a freaking awesome adulthood coming from a small down country boy growing up in North Carolina and i have met all my childhood heroes even got a nice long hug from my childhood chrush Lita Ford when i met her at a horror con event in jersay and yes she gives amazing hugs and i totaly fanboyed out when i met her 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@aaronwhite3298]

Love this album. A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica is such a great documentary on the making of this album and the tour.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Love that doc!

[@majesticpbjcat7707]

I used to watch Year And Half on this VHS tapes in rotating order every day after school when I was 13-14. I used to know every line by heart for years after. What a time...

[@aaronwhite3298]

@@majesticpbjcat7707 kzbin.info/www/bejne/amPCi4djrd1srLM Me too.. I rented it from Blockbuster way back in the day.. it's on KZbin for free. Good times!

[@chiptovey6015]

That was the tour that I saw them for the first time. Incredible show. They played for two and a half hours. There was no opening band. Perfection!

[@mza2195]

My husband would hum our kids to sleep with this song. Twisted, but effective to get them to sleep with his deep hum. Thanks for the memory I forgot! Love you for that Professor ~Mimi

[@Fbarts]

The only song/album that made a bigger effect on my musical life was the first time hearing Iron Man by Black Sabbath, yes I'm old, 63 as a matter of fact. THE band that started Metal. Imo. That album, Paranoid, changed music for me forever. I liked Metallica before Enter Sandman but it pushed me over the edge and went back and explored their first 4 albums. Still can't get enough of screaming guitars!

[@travismiles5885]

I think sabotage is the better album and woefully underrated. I'd like to see the professor do a video on that one. But I just have a hard time taking him seriously when he talks about Metal. He knows his stuff and he's definitely a music fan but he's not a metal guy

[@scowlistic]

I had the cassingle before the album dropped later that summer. I was initially disappointed with the new, simpler songs. I thought Lars got replaced with the AC/DC drummer, but over time I appreciated this album for what it is.

[@ChadGriffey-w9m]

The black album was my introduction to Metallica by my friend Sean. It was and still is a truly magnificent album. Saying that I have to comment that to me. Their greatest song ever is still for whom the Bell tolls. This song is absolutely brilliant, both musically and lyrically. My dad was the one who introduced me to metal as a young boy And I remember playing this song for him and watching his jaw drop looking at me and explaining how this song had just blown his mind. He didn’t think it could get any better than the black album.

[@stopthink9000]

I remember thinking I was a metal god jamming this intro on my black Fender Squier in 1991. This was the go-to party album. Every song sounded massive. Our 5 disc changer had this album, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Red Hot Chili Peppers on shuffle repeat. Listen for hours, never touch the skip button. Unbelievably lucky to have grown up then.

[@longbeach7623]

3:35. Indeed. The early ‘90s was the golden age for epic wah guitar solos. Some notables that come to mind: - Metallica (Hammett): Wherever I May Roam, My Friend of Misery, Holier Than Thou - AIC (Cantrell): Man in the Box, It Ain’t Like That, Sea Of Sorrow - GNR (Slash): Civil War, Pretty Tied Up - Pearl Jam (McCready): Once, Why Go - Van Halen: Runaround, In N Out, - Pantera (Dimebag): A New Level, The Sleep - Queensryche (DeGarmo): Best I Can - Megadeth (Friedman): Blood of Hero’s - Candlebox (Klett): You, Blossom I’m sure I’m omitting some but point is it seemed like an era of healthy competition.

[@oddcreatureX]

I was in high school for the Black album and to this day I cannot listen to Enter Sandman. It was overplayed to the point of insanity, same as Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana.

[@5roundsrapid263]

I got burned out on both of those songs for a long time. I still don’t listen to them much now.

[@themstem69]

I completely agree with you. Good thing I wasn’t a mainstream music moron and actually discovered music on my own to escape that nonsense! ✌️

[@garryp6061]

OK I'll confess I had this standoff of Metallica in the early days and enjoyed AC/DC as one of my favourite heavy metal bands. It wasn't until I stumbled across their Moscow standium performance on YT of Enter Sandman that sent chills through me like no other. I was 60 years of age at the time. I'm a convert now. Thank you Professor for your enthusiastic storytelling.

[@deanrobert9953]

Thanks for dropping your comment. Just went to that Moscow '91 Enter Sandman video. Mind blown! 🤯

[@joeymorvant161]

"Sad But True" is my favorite single from that album, but "Nothing Else Matters" will always have a special significance for me, as two of my buds from that time really dug it, and played it frequently. To this day, I still buy CDs.

[@coolstuffilike6050]

Back 2001, when I was a fat and grumpy 36, Enter Sandman motivated me without fail in the local fitness center. For the better part of two years I worked out hard and achieved the best body I ever had, and every time I stepped up to the free weights, nothing got me going like Sandman (even on leg day). That's one of the best things about the truly great songs; we get older, and they never stop giving us the feeling we had 20 years ago.

[@leoborganelli3558]

Great discussion prof! Great album. Fade to black off ride the lightning was a great tune also. Thank you for this episode

[@peterwinstonaldredge6927]

'The Black Album' is the only Metallica album I own. 'Enter Sandman' is the sole reason I bought it. I love drums so that song absolutely blew me away and I knew I had to have it. One of my favorite albums in my collection.

[@nascarfan824]

My favorite tune from the Black album (since I have gotten older) is "Of Wolf And Man." The guitar riff is just sinister and metal, but it's not too aggressive and it fits perfectly with Metallica of the 90's. I wonder what would have happened if this song was released as a single, but Metallica plays this song often in live shows, so I think they're doing just fine.

[@santiagodelgado875]

❤️

[@stevew6910]

Listen to it every morning Im heading to the great outdoors

[@benedictplays9031]

The very first Metallica song I have ever heard, back in 2nd Grade, which was more or less a decade ago. My gateway to the song, and by extension, the band, was my father. Fast forward more than 8 years later, I received a CD copy of "The Black Album" on my 16th birthday, two weeks before I completed junior high, I might add; also, it was the first Metallica record I bought. Been an ardent fan ever since, having amassed a collection of 4 out of 5 of their first five albums, on CD; the only record missing is the debut album, "Kill 'Em All".

[@robertmclernon4836]

Enter Sandman is just about as bad ass as anything I've ever heard, and I am now 66. I've been rocking all of my life.

[@drej1714]

When Enter... came out, I was just in highschool. I remember that MTV was playing the video as the hourly world premiere. I watched the video and recorded it on VHS. I watched the video. Then watched it on tape. I then went up to my room, grabbed my guitar and learned the whole song in ten minutes!

[@reeb9016]

I was not into metal at all but my best friend in the Navy was. As a great friend he'd always go to punk and new wave shoes with me. One night he says, "Get ready, going to a show." I was like, "Oh no, who?" With that metal voice he says, "METALLICA!" Although I dreaded going, (And Justice For All tour), I had a GREAT time 🤟 and became a fan, borrowing tapes from him to rock out. Sadly, he died in a car accident while going home on leave and never heard the black album.

[@michaelrue1400]

I always envisioned Freddy Kruger reaching out for me when he sings "Take my hand, we're off to Never-neverland!"

[@ray_s281]

Another influence was Excel "Tapping into the Emotional Void"

[@thebourg]

It awakened me to Metallica. I was 14 years old at the time and it blew my mind. Going to the M72 tour tonight!

[@alberthempfling2886]

My favorite off the black CD is of wolf and man....but every song is a kick in the ass volt of energy to the soul......

[@mournblade1066]

At 12:57 I spy _The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld_! What a magnificent piece of ambient dub. Truly a classic.

[@magicrobharv]

"That was back when you paid for music." So true.

[@johnblossom8447]

When the Black Album came out I was a young adult and recently married. My brother-in-law, who was only in his mid teens was a big Metallica fan. My wife and I had moved to a different city and my brother-in-law came to visit for a few days. My wife’s family didn’t have a lot of money, but my job paid pretty well. I bought my little brother, as I called him, the Black Album, and was instantly considered the coolest family member. It makes me think about simpler times. There was no internet, no streaming services. You could gain hero status by buying an album on cassette and letting a young man stay up late watching MTV.

[@daBEAGLE1017]

Simple music for a simple time.

[@ImYourOverlord]

The Black Album was the first music CD I ever bought. I'll always wish I hadn't. 1980s Metallica will always be the Metallica for me \m/

[@beatmet2355]

I’m not in the camp that disses that album, but I’ve never been all that excited about it. It was the first NEW Metallica to be released after I started listening to them, and I was underwhelmed. But, it’s ok for what it is.

[@ImYourOverlord]

@@beatmet2355 There are a few songs on it that I like, but not nearly as much as their first four albums.

[@bethshadid2087]

Heard and loved songs from Metallica in my teens but weren't 'on my radar' as for buying albums....however 'One' put them on the fringes of my radar....such a song. It wasn't until 90s a guy I was dating loved them...plus radios were playing them more mainstream and I had the fortunate to go to three concerts at Lakewood Ampitheatre here in ATL to see them. The first being the Black Album and what a album it was. This song was always one of my faves by them.

[@Leon1982db]

I was in the 8th grade the first time I remember hearing Enter Sandman. My friend played it for me on his dads radio. 4 12s on the old style receivers. It was so loud ! It changed me. Before that I only listened to the crap on the radio that we heard on the bus, but after that I started my music journey in rock and metal.

[@ericbgordon1575]

Metallica is a band that I tried getting into during that era of their career. However, it didn't take me long to realize it was less about the music than it was about the peer pressure I felt to get into it. I've always been the kind of person to explore at my own pace.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I respect that. Will you do me a favor? Will you email me that link to your song. I get lost in comments and sometimes have a hard time finding them after the comments stack up. Yesterday was extremely busy and I didn't have a chance to listen. HEre's my email: [e-mail]. Thanks

[@stephenbrown4211]

I had the honour years ago of being a roadie for the day for Motorhead. After seven hard hours of lugging and setting up the gear, I got to meet Lemmy. After a long chat about music and a few drinks he told me something, I'll never forget. He said to look out for a band who hadn't long released their first album,play faster and louder than Motorhead and they will be massive. That band was Metallica. He was right. I only saw them twice but I did get to see them with the late great Cliff Burton

[@donr9861]

I was 32 when this came out , wasn't a fan of hair bands so when I first heard this it was like sweet music for my ears .

[@davebanfield6251]

Metallica's Disposable Heros, off Master is easily one of thier best. I was introduced to Metallica's And Justice and fell in love with the band. Their first 5 albums and Garage Days are absolutely essential to anyones play list. After the Black album I lost interst as much but they really changed my taste in music for sure. I would've never listened to many harder songs and bands.I can also remember watching MTV and the lines of fans waiting to buy the album. It was insanity. Just an amazing album but still can't touch Master. Nothing in thier music does 💯 And Toad The Wet Sprocket is such an underrated band. Loved them. Again well done video 💯

[@crisslee1088]

They played the entire black album at louder than life. Was awesome hearing it live.

[@wmg1958]

Great summation of why this song works.

[@Doadab13]

Great show. Great band. Great album. Took my 4 year daughter to the amphitheater in mnt.view ca. For her birthday. Wow almost 30 years ago.

[@Slammy555]

I think I told this story before but my dad really liked Metallica. He was country and blues mainly, but I wanted a rich sounding CD to set up his stereo and I took the Black Album. I only played the intro and took the CD out, expecting him to hate it, but he asked to borrow it and kept it for a month. He was in his 60s at the time. He would have been 87 if he was still alive, yelling at the kids to get off his lawn and turn up their music.

[@travismiles5885]

Kirk Wah-mmett. Black album made metal "safe" and commercial. The follow up Load was the only CD I ever gave away that was given back to me.

[@kimnach]

I was 30 when this came out and had no idea--barely paid attention to Metallica. A friend of mine, who was 20, was a huge Metallica fan. He kept pushing them as one of the greats. I came around and became a fan myslf.

[@Elwaves2925]

I never became a Metallica fan but I do own this album and love a lot of songs on it. The Unforgiven is a masterpiece IMO. It also introduced me to One and the their truly excellent rendition of The Ecstasy Of Gold.

[@duromusabc]

Late Summer/early fall 1991 I purchased the following tape cassette albums Pearl Jam Ten Metallica Black album Nirvana Nevermind Guns N Roses Use your Illusion 1&2 The best use of my money !

[@stevew6910]

Hearing Creeping Death back in 85, (First time I heard it), Metallica had zero radio play in Cincinnati at the time, I became a fan, I was 15 at the time, Iron Maiden was my first love, Powerslave in 84 hooked me

[@728huey]

Love this song, and I was rocking out on this back in the summer of 1991. But I wouldn't say it wiped out pop or hair metal at that time. Even though hair metal was on the decline, there were still a ton of cheesy hair metal bands on the charts, and Warrant and Skid Row still landed on top of the Billboard 200 Albums chart that year. If anything, Metallica represented the water that rushed away from the shore and exposed all the cheesy pop and hair metal bands in the water before the tsunami that was Nirvana and grunge submerged and drowned out those groups.

[@mrmaxaxl]

I like "cheezy hair metal bands" 😁 And Metallica. And Pantera, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest etc. But also melodic bands. Depends on my mood

[@markdavies2115]

Apart from the fact the guys in skid row could play metallica off the planet... Enter sandman..sad pop ditty with a riff kids can play in guitar stores... slave to the grind...serious fucking metal. And nirvana, korn, and their ilk drowned nothing. They were a minor irritation for about 6 months. A bit like punk in 76. It was the force that killed shit music...lol. My ass. 2 biggest hits when punk had it's heyday... mull of kintyre and rivers of babylon.... what a scary difference punk and grunge made.. zip, nada, zilch.

[@vansnyder9499]

I'm going to see them Friday 8/4/23 in Meadowlands Jersey. I wasn't that psyched, TBH. But now I'm really psyched for it.

[@LarsRyeJeppesen]

Very informative, Professor

[@CurtTerpstra]

I was not that much of a Metallica fan, but I did like Enter Sandman. 15 years later I found a real appriciation for 'Nothing Else Matters' and "Unforgiven'

[@shannonmanning6166]

The Black album kept me sane in Somalia, so I'll always be thankful for it.

[@jasonhanks9905]

I have been a Metallica fan since 1987. They were the 1st concert I've ever been to in 1989. And to this day they are still my favorite band. BUT I absolutely loathe the Enter Sandman song. Only because it has been SOOOOO.. .. played out over time on radio and sports stadiums. I have to admit I have respect for this song. It IS what put Metallica into the limelight and pushed them over the edge to the number one metal band of all time. Also RIP Cliff Burton on his birthday week!

[@omfug7148]

One of my favorite tunes of the 90's

[@curzon176]

I remember where and when i bought the Black album. Like many, that was my introduction to Metallica and i've been a fan ever since.

[@jeremyellismusic]

I was traveling with a band about 4 years ago when we happened to be sharing a hotel with Metallica's crew. Not the band, the crew. Band I was with was sort of A list, so the fact that we were only at the level of Metallica's sound guys was pretty fun. The guys we hung out with were the crew doctors and massage therapists. Great guys. But wow, touring with doctors and massage therapists? So next level. If you made it this far... they crew guys told us about how they had two separate stage set-ups, with one set of tracks arriving a few days prior to events doing set up at one event, while the other crew moves along to the next weekend, because it took that long to set up and there was no way they could play every weekend with just one stage set. Like, whoa.

[@TheSnapdad]

What separated Metallica from the rest of their thrash contemporaries was consistent song writing. They progressed the art each album leaving the rest something to aim for. They made the never to be topped greatest thrash album in "Ride The Lightning". They made the perfect Heavy Metal album in "Master of Puppets". Then they made an album so great , it's referred to by the color of the sleeve. Only the Beatles had done that. They still deliver live, they are still respectful of their fans and in James Hetfield they have the coolest rock star in the firmament.

[@TheMeJustMe75]

The Black album came out like a week before my 10th grade year started. I had a crappy car but I had a portable cd player with a cassette adapter. Me and one of my friends jammed to school every morning and after school to that album.

[@johngfishing8814]

Absolutely love Metallica and this song. When I first saw the video on MTV I was like what the hell is this?? Blew me away. Thanks Prof!

[@laurenhuntsinger9170]

Straight up my favorite song.

[@ProfessorofRock]

It's a great choice for your "favorite" song. Thanks for watching!

[@Blizofoz45]

Garth Brooks outsold everybody by a wide margin in the early 90s. Garth Brooks(self titled) 1989: RIAA: Diamond (10× Platinum), No Fences 1990 RIAA: Diamond (18× Platinum), Ropin' the Wind 1991: RIAA: Diamond (14× Platinum), The Chase 1992: RIAA: Diamond (10× Platinum), In Pieces 1993: RIAA: Diamond (10× Platinum). I could go on but that's 62 million albums sold in the US alone during the grunge "revolution" time frame. He contemporized country music by bringing elements of rock and arena-sized showmanship. I was never a fan but looking at the numbers, he was a much bigger part of the change in popular music than he's ever been given credit for.

[@raybarron316]

A riff you can't forget. Awesome song.

[@johnhamilton2588]

The Grammys were so messed up at that time when it came to rock music. I remember when they first introduced the metal category, and then gave the award to Jethro Tull. Like Sting, great artists, but NOT METAL!!

[@daBEAGLE1017]

This was for One not Enter Sandman

[@LouisWritingSomethingCrazy]

The incredible thing Enter Sandman did was made thrash metal accessible to regular people. You could listen and enjoy it without feeling like it was necessary to buy their entire back catalog to understand it.

[@Fixxer315]

It's amazing how Metallica grew from an underground band to one of the biggest bands in the world, and one of the few old-school metal bands that could consistently headline arenas and sheds, let alone stadiums around the world from the early 90's forward. I first saw them in 1988 on the Monsters of Rock tour, with Van Halen, Scorpions, Dokken and Kingdom Come, and they blew just about every other away, and they were only the second act!! From then on, I was a huge fan. While I'm not crazy about every era (especially St. Anger), they still give 100% in their live performances.

[@kyleowens3296]

Love your videos

[@mazterford]

Played Black album to death on cassette n cd..absolutely mind blowing that time…