Metallica's 1991 album, commonly called The Black Album, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
It was Metallica's first album to top the US albums chart. The record sold approximately 598,000 copies in its first week and remained at number one for four consecutive weeks, establishing a major commercial milestone for a heavy-metal band.
The chart result helped distinguish the album from its predecessors. Earlier Metallica releases had built the band's reputation and fan base, but none had opened at the top of the Billboard 200. The self-titled album's concise songwriting and polished production made it more accessible to mainstream listeners.
The album's later chart history was also remarkable. It continued appearing on the Billboard 200 for hundreds of weeks and became one of the most successful albums of the SoundScan era.