by Death Angel drummer Will Carroll recently shared his candid thoughts on Metallica’s “Black Album,” recalling his initial reaction when the band shifted away from thrash metal in the early 1990s, as discussed in an interview with PipemanRadio.
Carroll reflected on how the thrash metal scene struggled during that era. He also reflected on how Metallica’s stylistic change felt like a betrayal to hardcore fans at the time.
“The early 90s were not a good era for thrash metal. Well, and it may be an unpopular opinion for the rest of the world, but for me, I remember me and the 25 hardcore LA metal fans, Metallica fans, there were 25 of us that would be at their show,” Carroll said. “When Metallica came out to with the ‘Black Album,’ we were like f*cking poser sellouts.”
Despite his initial disappointment, Carroll acknowledged the album’s quality and commercial success.
“I still like them today, but when you were young, to your point, like, ‘Yeah, this isn’t what I was in it for.’ When I heard it, I was, like, ‘Goddamn, this album sounds great,’” he continued. “And I understand why it was huge, and there are some good songs, but when initially when I heard it, it was the exact same thing, exact same reaction. Like, ‘Dude, there’s not a thrash moment on this album whatsoever.’ But not to take away from it is a good-sounding album, and it deserves all the acclaim or success it got. But I’m not a fan of it.”
Carroll’s perspective reflects a broader sentiment among thrash metal purists during a challenging period for the genre.
Blabbermouth reported that Carroll attributed the early ’90s struggles partly to bands releasing subpar albums and changing their sound to appeal to a broader market. This led to a loss of distinctiveness and public interest. The rise of grunge during this period also captured significant attention in the music scene, further overshadowing thrash metal.
Despite Carroll’s personal reservations, Metallica’s Black Album became a massive commercial phenomenon. Metal Injection noted that the album sold over 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. The record helped transition Metallica from a thrash metal band to a more mainstream heavy metal act, influencing countless other bands in the process.
Carroll’s comments highlight the tension many thrash metal fans experienced during Metallica’s mainstream breakthrough in 1991. Real Rock 993 covered how Carroll is not personally a fan of the Black Album, but he believes it deserves all the success it has achieved. This balanced perspective demonstrates how even critics of the album’s stylistic departure can recognize its cultural and commercial significance.
The Black Album marked a pivotal moment in heavy metal history. It divided fans between those who embraced Metallica’s evolution and purists who felt the band had abandoned their thrash roots. Carroll’s honest reflection captures this divide while acknowledging the undeniable impact the album had on rock music as a whole.
