DELHI, INDIA – OCTOBER 28: Kirk Hammett (L), Lars Ulrich (CL), James Hetfield (CR) and Robert … [+]
It’s been several years since Metallica fans were given a new album by the hard rock legends, and it’s been even longer since the outfit was able to capture the top spot on the albums chart in one of the biggest markets in music. Now, they’re back in fine form, as their followers have shown up in a major way and supported their latest offering.
Metallica’s latest release 72 Seasons has rocked its way right to the top of the U.K. album chart. The set is their fourth to lead the way in the country. They have previously owned the tally with successful projects Metallica, Load, and most recently, Death Magnetic.
It’s been 15 years since Metallica’s last U.K. No. 1 album, which is a bit surprising, given their ongoing popularity. While they did come close with 2016’s Hardwired… to Self-Destruct, their most recent drop stalled just one rung shy of dominating, as it peaked at No. 2.
The sheer popularity of the band can be understood by one sales fact: in its first week of availability, 72 Seasons outsold the next five biggest releases in the U.K. combined.
Moreover, Metallica has also topped the U.K.’s vinyl ranking, according to the Official Chart Company, which collects sales and streaming data and compiles the weekly rankings.
72 Seasons also marks Metallica’s ninth trip to the top 10 on the U.K. albums chart, meaning about half of all of their releases that have broken into the highest tier have risen all the way to the penthouse.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2023/04/21/metallica-returns-to-no-1-in-the-uk-for-the-first-time-in-15-years-with-new-album-72-seasons/