The band's ninth studio album, Death Magnetic debuted atop the Billboard Top 200 Album chart at No. 1, Metallica's fifth consecutive album to do so, making them the only band in chart history to have five albums debut at No. 1. It breaks the band's tie with the Beatles, U2, and the Dave Matthews Band, all of whom have four No. 1 album debuts. Death Magnetic remained at No. 1 for three consecutive weeks and to date has scanned over 1.2 Million albums.

In addition to debuting at Number 1 atop Billboard's Rock, Alternative, Hard, and Internet album charts in the U.S., the album racked up No. 1 chart positions in 31 foreign countries, including the U.K., Canada, and Australia, and Top 3 chart slots in seven more, including Japan.

Metallica's first proper tour of the United States and Canada in four years is currently in full swing with support bands Down, The Sword, Lamb of God, and Machine Head. Critics attending the October 21^st opening night in Glendale, AZ, were ecstatic with Spin.com declaring that if the first show was " was any indication, rock's not dead. Check its pulse." The Arizona Republic noted that " Metallica burst out of the starting gate with a ferocious two-hour show that left no doubt that the band is still the monster of American heavy metal."