In a new interview with Decibel Magazine, producer Bob Rock opened up in a career-spanning interview about working with Metallica on their classic self-titled record affectionately and better known as the Black album. Following is an excerpt from the discussion.

Bob Rock: "Flemming (Rasmussen/producer) had a way of recording the band. That's pretty much what they knew. He did a fantastic job and it worked well. But they said to me, 'If you produce this, you gotta do what you do.' So, I said to them, 'I want you to play in the same room at the same time.' They had never done that before. Basically, there was no preconceived way of doing Metallica. I brought what I knew to the table and did what they told me to do. It was quite a change.

These guys, they were deeper. More intense. There were times when I was thinking about James' lyrics. I was thinking, 'This guy's as good as anybody.' He's intense. He's deep.

I didn't grow up on Metallica. I just came in to help them with a record. If were doing Led Zeppelin, that'd be a different story for me. I'd be so enamored with them, I'm not sure I could do it. With Metallica, they were just guys to me. I didn't cater to what they were. I catered to what they wanted to do. That's ultimately what a producer is.

I'm very proud of (the Black album). It's a huge part of my life. I spent 15 years with those guys. I couldn't have worked with a better band. It was difficult, but when you're in a place that's not comfortable you do your best work. Clearly, it's some of my best work. It was all of us that made that record. No compromise.

Culturally, in the music business that's when Metallica got on the radio. It was the biggest cultural record I made. It changed what went on the radio. I'm very proud of that. I look back on it fondly."

Go to this location for the complete interview.