Adam Dutkiewicz also reveals the record that got him into Metallica.

Aside from depressing you-know-what last year, we had a few things to celebrate. One of those was the 30th anniversary of Metallica’s legendary self-titled album, famously known as the “Black Album.” In a recent chat with RadioactiveMike Z of the 96.7 KCAL-FM radio, Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz remembered his reaction to the record.

Obviously, Metallica was one of his major influences. The whole Metallica talk started when he praised James Hetfield, saying (via Blabbermouth):

James Hetfield has pretty much shaped the guitar player that I am. I grew up on Metallica, pretty much. Those riffs taught me how to play guitar.

When asked about how he got introduced to Metalica, Adam commented:

It was a friend of mine at school. I’m a late bloomer, man. Right when ‘…And Justice for All’ came out [in 1988], that’s when I was, like, ‘What the hell is this? This is so sick.’ And then I kind of worked my way backwards. I feel like the entire catalog, from the ‘Black Album’ back, is just, like, a classic, man.

As the talk came to the fact that last year the “Black Album” was 30 years old, he said:

Dude, we are old. Well, I don’t know how old you are, but I am old. [Laughs] I remember when that record came out… I was a little upset at the lack of thrash — I’m not gonna lie — but there’s still some killer songs on that record; there’s some thrashier moments.

Released in August 1991, Metallica’s self-titled is still their best-selling record to this day. Although bringing a significant change in style and scoring massive mainstream success, the record still had overall positive reception among critics and fans. Today, it’s also remembered as one of defining metal albums and the genre’s gateway record.