Metallica Mines Continuing Popularity

Sun., June 16, 1996

The Hollywood Reporter

With its first release in nearly five years, Metallica dropped a load on the music industry and consumers alike as the band’s sixth full-length studio album, “Load,” sold 680,000 copies in its first week - nearly a half-million more than its nearest competitor.

Clearly the biggest single-album debut this year, “Load” fell short of all-time record holder Pearl Jam, whose “Vs.” sold 950,000 copies and whose “Vitalogy” sold 877,000 copies. The Beatles’ “Anthology Vol. 1,” a double album, opened with 885,000 copies, and Hootie & the Blowfish’s “Fairweather Johnson” sold 411,000 copies.

Showing incredible staying power, Metallica has been able to prosper through a variety of changing musical trends during the band’s decade-plus existence.

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