Metallica's 1991 album, commonly called The Black Album, topped the charts in 10 countries upon release.
The album reached number one internationally while also becoming Metallica’s first album to top the Billboard 200 in the United States. It was number one in markets including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland.
This total is distinct from the album’s later chart longevity. The record eventually became one of the longest-charting albums of the SoundScan era, but the figure of 10 refers to the number of national album charts it topped during its initial international success.
The result marked a major expansion of Metallica’s audience. The band had already built a strong following through thrash metal, yet the Black Album’s concise songwriting and polished production helped it reach mainstream listeners across multiple regions.