Metallica’s self-titled Black album, was released on August 12th, 1991 and was a smash success becoming the #1 selling metal album, selling over 30 million copies worldwide. “Metallica” debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in ten countries and stayed there for four consecutive weeks, making it Metallica’s first album to do so. “Metallica” Is one of the best selling albums worldwide, and one of the best selling albums in the U.S. The album was 16x certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2012, and has sold over 16 million copies in the U.S. alone. In 2020 the album was ranked at 235 on Rolling Stone’s “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list. In 2019, “Metallica” became the fourth album released to enter the 550-week milestone on the Billboard 200. The Album also became the second longest charting title in history only second to “The Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd. The album was a change of pace for Metallica, going from their fast paced, thrash metal style, to a slower, heavier, more refined tone. Metallica promoted their album with a series of tours, and releasing five hit singles being, “Enter Sandman”, “The Unforgiven”, “Nothing Else Matters”, “Wherever I May Roam”, and “Sad but True” The album was released after their 1988 album, “…And Justice For All” and before their 1996 album, “Load” Many people consider Metallica’s self-titled album as their best work and for good reason. The album has many of the amazing aspects of Metallica, while offering a new, yet familiar sound.
