In a new report from Chart Data, rock and metal have dominated the Pure Album Sales charts in the U.S. the first six months of 2021. It appears that nine spots in the Top 10 are claimed by rock and metal acts, including METALLICA, AC/DC and FOO FIGHTERS.
When looking at the Billboard 200, you don’t really see much in the way of rock or metal in the Top 50, let alone the Top 10. For the week of July 17, the highest charting rock album is QUEEN’s ‘Greatest Hits’ at No. 16.
The Billboard 200 includes streaming numbers in their charts, which gives a more accurate view of the most popular music in the United States. However, it’s rock and metal fans who continue to purchase physical copies of their favorite albums, filling the Pure Album Sales chart with the genres’ biggest artists.
As a side not – METALLICA’s ‘Black Album’ has spent 615 weeks on the Billboard 200, while NIRVANA’s ‘Nevermind’ just hit week 532.
Best selling groups by total pure album sales in the US this year:
#1 @BTS_twt
#2 @thebeatles
#3 @Metallica
#4 @QueenWillRock
#5 @fleetwoodmac
#6 @pinkfloyd
#7 @acdc
#8 @Nirvana
#9 @foofighters
#10 @ledzeppelin— chart data (@chartdata) July 18, 2021