With Master of Puppets also reaching new heights, the band cements their place in rock history while powering through a massive world tour and prepping a box set treasure trove
Metallica has just entered one of the most exclusive clubs in music history. Over three decades since its release, their seminal Black Album has been certified 20x platinum by the RIAA — meaning it has officially sold over 20 million copies in the U.S. That’s a rare feat that places it shoulder to shoulder with legendary records like Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours and AC/DC’s Back in Black.
The Album That Took Metal to the Mainstream
Released in 1991, the self-titled record — affectionately known as The Black Album — marked a bold new chapter for Metallica. It was their first album to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200, where it stayed for four weeks. More importantly, it catapulted them into a new realm: from metal titans to full-blown global rock icons.
With songs like Enter Sandman, Nothing Else Matters, Sad But True, The Unforgiven, and Wherever I May Roam, the album blended aggression and melody like never before. Producer Bob Rock helped refine their sound into something that could shake arenas around the world — without losing their edge. Today, it remains the best-selling album across all genres during the Luminate tracking era, a title it’s held for more than 30 years.
And Master of Puppets Isn’t Far Behind
In another win for the band, their 1986 classic Master of Puppets has also climbed to 8x platinum, surpassing 8 million sales in the U.S. It’s a record that has long been hailed as a masterpiece of thrash metal and one of the genre’s most iconic albums. Though it only reached No. 29 on the charts upon release, it has steadily built a legacy that continues to inspire.
It’s also the last album to feature bassist Cliff Burton, who tragically died later that year — adding an emotional weight to its enduring power.
Still Touring, Still Creating, Still Surprising
Metallica isn’t just basking in past glory. They’re currently in the third leg of their colossal M72 World Tour, with their next stop taking them to Northwest Stadium in Washington, D.C., on May 28.
As if that weren’t enough, they’re also prepping a deluxe box set edition of 1996’s Load, slated for release on June 13. The set will include a staggering 245 previously unreleased tracks, giving fans an unprecedented look inside one of the band’s most misunderstood creative periods.
For a group whose career spans over 40 years, Metallica continues to evolve — and dominate — like few others ever have.
