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Yeah it’s definitely subjective, but I think you’re right. Metallica just isn’t the legendary phenomenon band in the UK, and it’s probably because the kind of music they make. That’s why I’m surprised by the way you describe them because my whole life ive heard of how massive their impact is. It’s really just depends on what part of the world you’re from in my opinion. It seems like you think of Zeppelin the same. Am I right by saying the UK is pop dominated? I mean Metallica is a top 20 selling act ever, so they gotta be absolutely massive just not as celebrated where you’re from. I went to their 40 year anniversary concert last Friday, and it was in Northern California in America, but about half the people there were from Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Japan, Mexico, etc. can’t recall any UK natives lol.
"Metallica is the highest selling artist since 1991, in America at least."
What 😆 They're not even top 5 in America...
https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/eminem-marks-sales-hot-100-milestones-5944789/
I think since this article released, Mariah Carey may have passed Metallica, but it’s neck and neck between them.
Zep are a weird one. Their UK sales are pretty good, but they just never caught on like they did in the US. Though it seems they are far bigger in places I'd never have thought.
With the phenomenon thing, it's not about success or totally about success. Its about impact, sales, legacy, influence etc and sadly, in a way conspired by critics but somehow it seems to be so... Even if outright popularity doesn't say so.
For Soundscan only units, since 1991, I'd have them 3rd highest selling, behind Garth Brooks 73m and The Beatles 72m, probably around 60m.
How credible is Wikipedia for sales? They have Rihanna already ahead of huge acts such as Mariah Carey, U2, Eminem, etc. Rihanna, Drake, and Taylor Swift will all be the highest selling artists of all time very soon, according to Wikipedia. I just find that incredibly inaccurate.
That's because they count albums, singles and downloads all the same as 1 unit, while downloads (Rihanna, Swift etcetera.) are wat easier to sell than albums.
This article says Metallica are 3rd behind Garth Brooks and The Beatles, so why did you say they were #1? Also, soundscan totals are irrelevant when it comes to the music clubs era.
You forget that the Eagles have released several greatest hits that have stifled studio album sales. Have Metallica release a greatest hits with the best of their first 5 albums and then let's see if they keep those sales.
It seems obvious to me that Metallica have more followers than Guns and Nirvana, given how these two bands died after 3 albums, it's been 30 years now.
Nevermind has sold more than the black album, just compare the numbers in streaming. As physical copies there is little difference, but still there are always the greatest hits of Nirvana that have weakened it. https://chartmasters.org/2017/10/best-selling-artists-albums-and-singles-of-all-time/11/?y=alltime
https://chartmasters.org/spotify-most-streamed-albums/?y=1991
https://www.sentireascoltare.com/news/nevermind-nirvana-record-stream-90s/
The black album is also below Oasis and Red Hot.
But are Metallica at 161,041,000 or 156,706,000 EAS?
https://chartmasters.org/best-selling-artists-of-all-time/
Best selling metal albums :
1. Metallica - Metallica : 32m
2. Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory : 22m
3. Evanescence - Fallen : 17m
4. Metallica - ...And Justice For All : 16m
5. Metallica - Master Of Puppets : 14m
6. Linkin Park - Meteora : 14m
7. Metallica - Ride The Lightning : 12m
8. Limp Bizkit - Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water : 12m
9. Metallica - Load : 12m
10. Limp Bizkit - Significant Other : 11m
11. Black Sabbath - Paranoid : 10m
12. Metallica - Reload : 9m
13. Metallica - Kill 'Em All : 9m
14. Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast : 8m
15. Korn - Follow The Leader : 8m
16. Rage Against The Machine - Rage Against The Machine : 8m
17. System Of A Down - Toxicity : 8m
18. Ozzy Osbourne - Blizzard Of Ozz : 7m
19. Metallica - S&M : 7m
20. Staind - Break The Cycle : 7m
