How big of a band would Metallica be if it was for the black album?

[MrTagoMago]

Just curious not trying to start a hate war but I notice how often I see Metallica referred to as the biggest heavy metal band of all time (even though id argue Sabbath based on impact and influence) however Ive noticed a very l arge chunk of their success can be owed to the self titled release which is not only by far their most succesful but if im not mistaken (correct me if im wrong) actually gave a major boost on the sales of the previous albums.

 

[Elric of Melniboné]

As far as I know, Metallica is the biggest heavy metal band of all time because of their record sales figures. It really doesn't matter who was first or who was more influential. When discussing how "big" a band is, it typically means in terms of sales figures. I think that they'd still beat the next band even without the sales from that album.

In terms of influence, Metallica is definitely in the top five bands.

 

[Krow]

How many stupid threads can you make?

 

[MrTagoMago]

How many stupid threads can you make?

As many as I want.

 

[no country for old wainds]

the part about later successes causing a boost in the sales of earlier albums is true for tons of successful bands.

 

[MrTagoMago]

the part about later successes causing a boost in the sales of earlier albums is true for tons of successful bands.

No one said it wasnt.

 

[no country for old wainds]

fair enough

they'd be nowhere near as big, anyways. is that the answer you were looking for

 

[MrTagoMago]

fair enough

they'd be nowhere near as big, anyways. is that the answer you were looking for

Only if you think its the correct answer.

 

[Elric of Melniboné]

It's definitely the correct answer. Any band would have less album sales if their highest selling album was never released.

 

[MrTagoMago]

It's definitely the correct answer. Any band would have less album sales if their highest selling album was never released.

The question is not would they be less succesful was it not for the black album because no duh. The question is to what extent did the Black Album boost their success.

 

[no country for old wainds]

more than most, because it was a more blatant and, let's face it, more intelligent cash-in than most bands are willing and able to record. it's THE pop metal album of the last quarter century (actually it's over 25 years old now jfc).

i'd be (vaguely) interested to see what metallica's sales were like prior to it dropping.

 

[Elric of Melniboné]

The question is not would they be less succesful was it not for the black album because no duh. The question is to what extent did the Black Album boost their success.

It made them significantly more popular than ever and it's probably the most successful crossover into the mainstream for any metal band ever in history.

 

[Elric of Melniboné]

more than most, because it was a more blatant and, let's face it, more intelligent cash-in than most bands are willing and able to record. it's THE pop metal album of the last quarter century (actually it's over 25 years old now jfc).

i'd be (vaguely) interested to see what metallica's sales were like prior to it dropping.

You can probably look at the RIAA sales certifications for their music to see what years they achieved gold or platinum sales on their earlier music.

 

[MrTagoMago]

more than most, because it was a more blatant and, let's face it, more intelligent cash-in than most bands are willing and able to record. it's THE pop metal album of the last quarter century (actually it's over 25 years old now jfc).

i'd be (vaguely) interested to see what metallica's sales were like prior to it dropping.

It made them significantly more popular than ever and it's probably the most successful crossover into the mainstream for any metal band ever in history.

I guess what im interested in finding out is would they still be the biggest metal band of all time were it not for that album, would they still be a house hold name. Obviously even without it theyd still be the most succesful and popular thrash act but i dunno if theyd still be more succesful than Iron Maiden and Sabbath. I ofcourse dont think sells or popularity matter at all its just interesting to think that theyre the biggest metal band because of ahard rock album thats considered by fans inferior to their previous albums.

 

[MrTagoMago]

It made them significantly more popular than ever and it's probably the most successful crossover into the mainstream for any metal band ever in history.

I dont think thats even debatable, except maybe Def Leppard? I forgot how succesful Pyromania and Hysteria were.

 

[Elric of Melniboné]

RIAA certifications for their first five albums. Reverse chronological order.

Metallica

Release Date.August 2, 1991
Category: GROUP
Type: Standard
Certified Units: 16 Million
Genre: None
Previous Certification:
16x Multi-Platinum | December 13, 2012
15x Multi-Platinum | November 13, 2009
14x Multi-Platinum | December 17, 2003
13x Multi-Platinum | June 9, 2003
12x Multi-Platinum | December 6, 1999
11x Multi-Platinum | November 18, 1998
10x Multi-Platinum | November 3, 1997
9x Multi-Platinum | May 15, 1996
8x Multi-Platinum | February 2, 1995
7x Multi-Platinum | September 24, 1993
6x Multi-Platinum | December 10, 1992
5x Multi-Platinum | June 30, 1992
4x Multi-Platinum | January 17, 1992
3x Multi-Platinum | October 31, 1991
Platinum | October 31, 1991
Gold | October 31, 1991

...And Justice for All

Release Date.August 25, 1988
Category: GROUP
Type: Standard
Certified Units: 8 Million
Genre: None
Previous Certification:
8x Multi-Platinum | June 9, 2003
7x Multi-Platinum | December 9, 1999
6x Multi-Platinum | November 3, 1997
4x Multi-Platinum | June 5, 1995
3x Multi-Platinum | April 1, 1992
2x Multi-Platinum | July 19, 1989
Platinum | October 31, 1988
Gold | October 31, 1988

Master of Puppets

Release Date.February 24, 1986
Category: GROUP
Type: Standard
Certified Units: 6 Million
Genre: None
Previous Certification:
6x Multi-Platinum | June 9, 2003
5x Multi-Platinum | November 18, 1998
4x Multi-Platinum | November 3, 1997
3x Multi-Platinum | June 28, 1994
2x Multi-Platinum | March 1, 1991
Platinum | July 27, 1988
Gold | November 4, 1986

Ride the Lightning

Release Date.November 16, 1984
Category: GROUP
Type: Standard
Certified Units: 6 Million
Genre: None
Previous Certification:
6x Multi-Platinum | December 13, 2012
5x Multi-Platinum | June 9, 2003
4x Multi-Platinum | November 3, 1997
3x Multi-Platinum | June 5, 1995
2x Multi-Platinum | April 1, 1992
Platinum | May 16, 1989
Gold | November 5, 1987

Kill 'em All

Release Date.January 11, 1983
Category: GROUP
Type: Standard
Certified Units: 3 Million
Genre: None
Previous Certification:
3x Multi-Platinum | March 9, 1999
2x Multi-Platinum | June 5, 1995
Platinum | February 26, 1991
Gold | May 16, 1989

 

[Elric of Melniboné]

I dont think thats even debatable, except maybe Def Leppard? I forgot how succesful Pyromania and Hysteria were.

Neither of those albums sold as much.

Hysteria

Release Date.August 3, 1987
Category: GROUP
Type: Standard
Certified Units: 12 Million
Genre: None
Previous Certification:
12x Multi-Platinum | August 17, 1998
11x Multi-Platinum | December 6, 1993
10x Multi-Platinum | May 9, 1990
9x Multi-Platinum | January 4, 1989
8x Multi-Platinum | November 30, 1988
7x Multi-Platinum | September 27, 1988
6x Multi-Platinum | August 18, 1988
5x Multi-Platinum | July 13, 1988
4x Multi-Platinum | June 9, 1988
3x Multi-Platinum | January 14, 1988
2x Multi-Platinum | November 9, 1987
Platinum | October 7, 1987
Gold | October 7, 1987

Pyromania

Release Date.January 20, 1983
Category: GROUP
Type: Standard
Certified Units: 10 Million
Genre: None
Previous Certification:
10x Multi-Platinum | July 8, 2004
9x Multi-Platinum | November 29, 1994
8x Multi-Platinum | January 30, 1992
7x Multi-Platinum | September 27, 1988
6x Multi-Platinum | October 12, 1984
Platinum | April 11, 1983
Gold | March 21, 1983

 

[MrTagoMago]

Neither of those albums sold as much.

Hysteria

Release Date.August 3, 1987
Category: GROUP
Type: Standard
Certified Units: 12 Million
Genre: None
Previous Certification:
12x Multi-Platinum | August 17, 1998
11x Multi-Platinum | December 6, 1993
10x Multi-Platinum | May 9, 1990
9x Multi-Platinum | January 4, 1989
8x Multi-Platinum | November 30, 1988
7x Multi-Platinum | September 27, 1988
6x Multi-Platinum | August 18, 1988
5x Multi-Platinum | July 13, 1988
4x Multi-Platinum | June 9, 1988
3x Multi-Platinum | January 14, 1988
2x Multi-Platinum | November 9, 1987
Platinum | October 7, 1987
Gold | October 7, 1987

Pyromania

Release Date.January 20, 1983
Category: GROUP
Type: Standard
Certified Units: 10 Million
Genre: None
Previous Certification:
10x Multi-Platinum | July 8, 2004
9x Multi-Platinum | November 29, 1994
8x Multi-Platinum | January 30, 1992
7x Multi-Platinum | September 27, 1988
6x Multi-Platinum | October 12, 1984
Platinum | April 11, 1983
Gold | March 21, 1983

I didnt think so but thats still a lot.

 

[no country for old wainds]

the black album is not a 'hard rock album' lol

 

[Elric of Melniboné]

@no country for old wainds

Did the RIAA sales figures help you reconcile their popularity before and after their major breakthrough?