Metallica's 1991 album Metallica, The Black Album, debuted at number one in ten countries.
Its international success matched its breakthrough in the United States. In addition to topping the Billboard 200, the album reached number one in markets including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The album's worldwide performance reflected a broad change in Metallica's audience. Earlier records had established the band as a major thrash-metal act, but The Black Album's streamlined songwriting and powerful production helped it cross into mainstream rock and international pop markets without abandoning its heavy identity.