What is the best-selling metal album ever?

Some metal albums transcended the genre entirely, becoming worldwide cultural touchstones and selling tens of millions of copies. Which best-selling metal album deserves its commercial crown the most?

Metallica (Black Album)

Metallica's 1991 self-titled album with over 30 million copies sold — the best-selling metal album in history.

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Back in Black

AC/DC's 1980 album tribute to Bon Scott with an estimated 50 million copies sold, making it one of the best-selling albums ever.

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Appetite for Destruction

Guns N' Roses' 1987 debut that sold over 30 million copies and remains the best-selling debut album in the US.

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Hysteria

Def Leppard's 1987 stadium rock-metal album featuring seven charting singles and over 25 million copies sold.

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Led Zeppelin IV

Led Zeppelin's iconic 1971 untitled album containing 'Stairway to Heaven' and selling an estimated 37 million copies.

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Slippery When Wet

Bon Jovi's 1986 album that sold over 28 million copies with arena rock anthems that dominated the decade.

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Master of Puppets

Metallica's 1986 thrash masterpiece that eventually achieved multi-platinum status decades after its release.

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Dr. Feelgood

Mötley Crüe's 1989 commercially triumphant album that debuted at number one with a string of hit singles.

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Shout at the Devil

Mötley Crüe's 1983 album that broke them into the mainstream and sold over 6 million copies in the US alone.

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Bat Out of Hell

Meat Loaf's 1977 rock opera-metal album that has sold over 40 million copies and never left the charts.

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Pump

Aerosmith's 1989 comeback album that sold over 15 million copies and spawned several rock radio staples.

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1984

Van Halen's 1984 album featuring 'Jump' that sold over 10 million copies and became a defining rock milestone.

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The Number of the Beast

Iron Maiden's 1982 album that launched them to global stardom, eventually selling over 14 million copies worldwide.

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