Metallica Unleashes Extensive 53-Track Cover Album, ‘The Metallica Blacklist’ [Listen/Stream]

In honor of the 30th anniversary of the 1991 self-titled album – famously referred to as The Black Album – Metallica has released a 53-track cover album, The Metallica Blacklist.

Spanning at four hours, The Metallica Blacklist hosts featured collaborations from 64 artists on the band’s 12 original tracks, giving fans a fresh take on the classic heavy metal songs. The tribute album boasts contributions from a versatile blend of artists in the pop, indie, country, and rock scenes, including Phoebe Bridgers, Kamasi Washington, Miley Cyrus, Moses Sumney, Weezer, Mac DeMarco, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, White Reaper, and more.

While it could be assumed, only a handful of the songs on The Metallica Blacklist are metal. The compilation’s opening “Enter Sandman” by Alessia Cara takes the heavy-hitting rock ballad with a more soulful, pop approach while still utilizing the track’s backing metal foundation. Cage The Elephant gives a fresh take on “The Unforgiven,” building a more reserved approach on the heavier song with slower harmonized vocals from the indie alternative group. Kamasi Washington’s cover of “My Friend of Misery” is a must-listen on the album as the classic song gets a full jazz rework, while vocalist Patrice Quinn adds an even more impressive nod to the contemptuous song.

While weeks leading up to the surprise release saw one-off posts from artists sharing their covers, Metallica’s release boasts the band’s well-earned attempts to keep the classic album a staple piece of work throughout the decades. It’s important to note that throughout the 12 reworked tracks, there’s multiples of each version, including 12 whopping renditions of “Nothing Else Matters.” While the album poises as a monumental release for the band and the contributors, from a listener’s perspective, it’s quite indigestible.

Additionally, while the new cover album adds its own sense of celebrations to the iconic album’s anniversary, Metallica has released a remastered, deluxe box set of the classic album. The remastered set hosts 193 tracks spanning 12 hours full of demos, live performance tracks, isolated tracks, and more.

Stream The Metallica Blacklist and the remastered, deluxe box set of Metallica below. For more information, visit the band’s website.

The Metallica Blacklist

Metallica (Remastered Deluxe Box Set)