How many copies did Metallica's The Black Album sell in its first U.S. week?

Metallica’s The Black Album sold 598,000 copies in the United States during its first week. That opening helped it debut at number one on the Billboard 200.

The album’s first-week result was achieved after its August 12, 1991, release through Elektra Records. It was certified platinum only two weeks after release, showing how quickly demand grew beyond the band’s established metal audience.

The Black Album continued selling for decades rather than relying only on its initial impact. It eventually became the best-selling album in the United States since Nielsen SoundScan tracking began in 1991, and it passed 20 million U.S. copies. In 2025, the Recording Industry Association of America certified it double diamond.