Metallica's 1991 self-titled album topped the Billboard 200 for four consecutive weeks.
The Billboard 200 is the main US albums chart, ranking releases according to consumption measures that originally centered on album sales. Metallica debuted at number one on the chart, making it the band's first album to reach the top position there.
The album's first-week US sales were reported at 598,000 copies. Its chart performance reflected both the band's established metal audience and the broader reach created by singles such as “Enter Sandman” and “Nothing Else Matters.”
This chart result is distinct from a single's performance on the Billboard Hot 100 or Mainstream Rock chart. “Enter Sandman,” for example, reached number 16 on the Hot 100, while the album itself occupied the Billboard 200. The record also debuted at number one in ten countries, confirming that its success was international rather than limited to the United States.