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You know what’s impressive? The fact that people are still buying Metallica’s 1991 self-titled album (often referred to as the “Black” album). And we’re not talking about a few units here, we’re talking about a current sales rate of about 2,000 to 3,000 per week, according to Billboard. As such, the album is quickly approaching the 16-million mark in U.S. sales, which it should meet this spring.
The Black album was certified 16x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2012, and it’s sold over 30 million albums worldwide. In fact, the album is the best-selling album of the SoundScan era (1991-now), a title it’s held since December 20, 2009.
What’s not surprising is the success of Metallica’s Black album. It was, after all, the band’s mainstream breakthrough album, spawning five charting hits: “Enter Sandman,” “The Unforgiven,” “Nothing Else Matters,” “Wherever I May Roam,” and “Sad but True.” Produced by Bob Rock, the album also marked a shift in Metallica’s musical direction. Yes, while it was still a great album for old-school Metallica fans, it was decidedly “softer,” more rock oriented than thrash.
Say what you will, but this album is likely to go down in history as one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time.
Rock Hard \m/
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