Cool! The demo that became Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”
When we hear a new song, it’s the final product of what is often a long and agonizing process of writing and recording. Demo versions give us a chance to hear how the song evolved.
Metallica’s biggest-selling album is still the “black” album, which was produced by Canadian Bob Rock. The best-known song from the record is “Enter Sandman.” Here’s the demo recorded by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich in Lars’ basement on July 12, 1990, about 13 months before it was released to the public. It’s just been released ahead of a special 30th-anniversary release of the black album on September 10.
Speaking of the re-release, it will come with a bonus disc called Riffs & Demos, which is where you’ll find the above version of “Enter Sandman.”
What about the rest of the package? There will be a lot to choose from.
- 180-gram double vinyl
- Standard CD
- Triple CD expanded version
- Digital version
- Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set (the album remastered on two 180-gram LPs; a picture disc, three live LPs; 14 CDs(!!!) with rough mixes, demos, interviews, live shows; 6 DVDs with outtakes, behind the scenes, official videos, and live shows; a 120-page hardcover book; four tour laminates; three lithographs; three guitar picks; a Metallica lanyard; a folder with lyric sheets; and a download card)
And if that’s not enough, there’s also the companion album, The Metallica Blacklist.
