How did Metallica's The Black Album first rank on the US Billboard 200?

Metallica's The Black Album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. It was the band's first album to reach the top position on that chart.

The album sold 598,000 copies in its first week in the United States. Its immediate success reflected both the strength of songs such as Enter Sandman and the band's growing audience after years of touring.

The record remained at number one for four consecutive weeks. It also debuted at number one in several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, and New Zealand.

This chart result is sometimes confused with the peak of ...And Justice for All, Metallica's previous studio album, which reached number six in the United States. The Black Album established a new commercial high point for the band.