Metallica's 1991 album Metallica spent four consecutive weeks at number one in the United States.
The album entered the Billboard 200 at the top after selling 598,000 copies during its first week. Its four-week run showed that its success was not merely a one-week debut spike; the record continued attracting listeners as singles and music videos expanded its audience.
The album's chart run began after its August 12, 1991 release. It was Metallica's first album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200, a major milestone for a band previously associated mainly with the thrash-metal scene.
The record's commercial momentum continued long after those four weeks. It eventually received multi-diamond certification in the United States and became Metallica's best-selling album. Its chart longevity is one reason the 35th anniversary remains a major milestone in the band's history.