Metallica’s 1991 self-titled album has become the fourth studio release ever to reach a historic chart record.
The release, affectionately known as The Black Album, has officially spent a total of 800 weeks on the Billboard 200, according to a post by Chart Data. It’s the fourth record in history to spend that amount of time on the chart.
To put the amount of time it’s spent on the chart into perspective, 800 weeks comes out to about 15.4 years. The album originally peaked at No. 1 on Aug. 31, 1991, and it currently sits at No. 162 on the Billboard 200 just under 34 years later.
When we reported that The Black Album had become the fourth album in history to spend 750 weeks on the chart back in July of 2024, it sat at No. 178 on the chart, so it’s moved up a couple of slots since then.
What Other Albums Have Spent 800 Weeks on the Billboard 200?
Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), the Bob Marley and The Wailers compilation album Legend (1984) and Journey’s Greatest Hits (1988) were the first three albums to hit 800 weeks on the chart, respectively.
Therefore, The Black Album is the youngest album to reach the chart milestone — and is the second studio album to do so, as the Bob Marley and Journey records are both compilations.
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Out of the four releases, The Dark Side of the Moon is the only one that isn’t currently sitting on the chart. This goes to show that albums can fall off the chart and then re-enter it randomly at any given time.
Some of the other longest-charting Billboard 200 albums include Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Chronicle greatest hits compilation (756 weeks), Nirvana’s Nevermind (732 weeks), Guns N’ Roses’ Greatest Hits (734 weeks), AC/DC’s Back in Black (644 weeks) and Queen’s Greatest Hits (657 weeks).
How Successful Was ‘The Black Album’ When It Came Out?
Metallica was the legends’ breakthrough into the mainstream, though they were already favorites amongst the thrash metal community for years before that. It sold 598,000 copies in its first week, and spent a total of four weeks straight on top of the chart.
Since then, it’s sold over 30 million copies worldwide, 17 million of which were in the U.S. alone.
After it became their first No. 1 album, Load (1996), Reload (1997), St. Anger (2003), Death Magnetic (2008) and Hardwired… To Self-Destruct (2016) all topped the chart as well.
Their latest record, 2023’s 72 Seasons, peaked at No. 2.
Congrats to Metallica on this latest feat.
What Are Metallica Up to in 2025?
Metallica wrapped up the latest U.S. leg of their M72 World Tour in late June, and then performed at the iconic “Back to the Beginning” concert on July 5 alongside countless other rock and metal musicians to say goodbye to Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath.
The rockers are heading back out on tour in Australia, New Zealand and Bahrain this November and December, and then will embark on a European trek next spring. See all their upcoming dates on their website.
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Gallery Credit: Todd Fooks
