Blackened (song)

"Blackened" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica and the opening track from their fourth studio album, ...And Justice for All, released on August 25, 1988. Written by band members James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Jason Newsted, it is a thrash metal song with environmentalist lyrics that discuss the idea of nuclear warfare leading to the extinction of humanity and the destruction of Earth. It is the first Metallica song Newsted was credited with writing and the only song he is credited for on the album. Hetfield and Ulrich produced the track with Flemming Rasmussen.

"Blackened" has been positively received by critics, who praised its composition and usage as an opening song, with others also complimenting its lyrics. Several publications consider it to be one of the band's best songs, and it has been described as a fan favorite. It is among Metallica's most performed songs live from ...And Justice for All, and has been subject to several cover versions. In 2020, the band recorded an acoustic rendition of the song titled "Blackened 2020", which was released as a single on May 15, 2020. "Blackened" later became the namesake for the band's future independent record label and its whiskey brand. It has been certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association and the Recording Industry Association of America.