Metallica’s Self-Titled Album Rises Thanks To A Huge Sales Bump

By the time Metallica released its self-titled fifth album in 1991, the band had already become global superstars, and were regarded by some as gods within the hard rock space. That project, however, took the rockers to new heights, and it changed the trajectory of the outfit’s career and turned the musicians into legends. They remain in that echelon to this day, thanks largely to the ongoing success of Metallica.

The perennial chart favorite continues to rise in the United States as consumption of the project grows, and it even manages to bounce back onto several rankings simultaneously this time around.

Metallica Returns to Several Billboard Charts

Metallica returns to two Billboard rankings this frame, driven by a 37% increase in pure purchases. That type of movement is unusual for a decades-old effort, but it’s the kind of performance the hard rockers can manage with some regularity.

The title reenters the Top Album Sales chart at No. 33. It also reappears on the Top Rock Albums list at No. 23. Luminate reports that in the past tracking period, the self-titled effort sold 2,700 copies in the U.S. — up from just under 2,000 in the previous span.

Multiple Billboard Gains for Metallica

All those purchases, along with continued streaming activity, push Metallica up on three other Billboard rankings. The set gains ground on both the Top Rock & Alternative Albums and Top Hard Rock Albums lists, jumping to Nos. 28 and 8, respectively. It even manages to reenter the top 10 on the latter tally.

Total consumption of the collection rose by more than 16%, thanks largely to those thousands of pure purchases. That growing sum proved enough to help Metallica rocket up the Billboard 200. Last week, it sat at No. 169, and now it bolts to No. 132.

Metallica Remains the Band’s Most Successful Album

Metallica is easily the band’s most successful album in the U.S. — and that’s not only true of this week. The 16-times platinum bestseller easily outpaces every other collection the rockers have released.

But it’s not the only title from the group to appear on a Billboard list this frame. Master of Puppets is still going strong on the Top Album Sales chart. While Metallica climbs, Master of Puppets dips slightly, falling from No. 41 to No. 45 thanks to 2,300 copies purchased.