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by ericman1993 on August 25th, 2006

ericman1993

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What is the top selling metal band of all time?

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  • by Darryl61 on August 25th, 2006

    Darryl61

    Metallica has sold approximately 90 million copies to date . That would seem to put them way ahead of most metal bands.
    Source:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallica

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  • by Ancient Mariner on August 24th, 2009

    Ancient Mariner

    I think Metallica, but I think they're neck and neck with Iron Maiden now. Obviously Maiden has been around more, and has alot more albums out. However, Metallica gets probably the most air play of any metal band ( ever since releasing one off the Justice album) Metallica has always had consistant airplay, and commericalism going for them. I'm not saying they sold out. I'm a Metallica fan, but I think Maiden has proven more with their #'s. More albums and I think the last Video I saw of Maiden on MTV was Can I play with Madness (released in 88'). The last song I heard on the radio was "Wickerman" off their 2001 release Brave New World, and it was played only to plug the concert that was coming to town. I think Maiden deserves alot more respect. They sold more than a 100 Million basically by word of mouth from fans. That's awesome!

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  • by Thegirlwithsomeanswers on November 17th, 2008

    Thegirlwithsomeanswers

    AC/DC or are they hard rock?? I would have to say Metallica.

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  • by Mr n Mrs M... on November 17th, 2008

    Mr n Mrs M...

    I should think its the old 3/4" Galvanised one..

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  • by knownothing on October 29th, 2009

    knownothing

    Metallica. But, it depends on how you define "metal".

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  • by beowulf- 66 on October 29th, 2009

    beowulf- 66

    if you're talking from a marketing stand point i would say "KISS" are the kings!

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  • by danziggy on October 27th, 2007

    danziggy

    iron maiden have sold over 100million albums world wide an each album is usually allways in the top ten with each single also in the top ten.
    the new album matter of life and death is in the top 10 in over 30 countries.
    not bad for a band thats been around thirty years

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  • by Dock on October 29th, 2009

    Dock

    I would say Metallica

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  • by Fenchurch on October 29th, 2009

    Fenchurch

    im going to be really sad if its not ACDC

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  • by Kevisaurus is a Carnotaurus today on October 27th, 2007

    Kevisaurus is a Carnotaurus today

    "Bon Jovi - Bon Jovi has sold more than 33 million albums in the United States, and over 110 million albums worldwide. Slippery When Wet sold over 12 million copies alone."
    Source: http://www.metaljesusrocks.com/archives/81

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  • by KiloWattKid on August 25th, 2006

    KiloWattKid

    as far as i know Linkin Park is a nu metal band (if that counds) in which they sold to date, about 19 million copies of Hybrid Theory and about 11 million copies of Meteora so in total it would be about 30 MILLION copies to date!

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  • by Kagan_H on January 27th, 2011

    Kagan_H

    OK, stop with the "fan"fare. There are actual statistics for this stuff. Genre is another issue. To be fair, "metal" should not include pop like Def Leppard, Bon Jovi and the like. To keep it simple; metal can be fast OR slow, but is primarily progressive in some way. It almost always incorporates some form of "classical influence". It is by definition "heavy". So without trying to incorporate questionable artists into the list, the top 3 in worldwide sales are Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Ozzy/Sabbath. The first 2 actually dwarf the 3rd, and were neck and neck with just less than 90 million each as of 2010. Being that Iron Maiden have since released another highly acclaimed album and are currently on a worldwide tour that expect to have them playing to 4 - 5 million people, they will likely take the edge by year's end. Iron Maiden also enjoy one of the MOST loyal of all fanbases, being that they have never been a commercial success. Very few Maiden fans own only 1 or 2 records. In general, their fans own the entire library, and are familiar with all their work. This is the one advantage of never having achieved true commercial success. They have no transient fans. So while Maiden have enjoyed a huge upsurge recently and continue to attract younger fans with fresh new material, Metallica seems a bit on the downslide. Again, I personally think this has more to do with the commercial success Metallica have had and the "flavor of the month" mentality of casual music fans. On the other hand, while Iron Maiden still seem to possess an incredible youthful energy, they ARE nearing their 60's now, and bound to slow down sooner or later. If Metallica can engineer a similar resurgence to what Maiden have done in the past decade, they will likely end their careers as #1. But, I don't believe the fickle masses will make that possible.

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  • by Anonymous on November 17th, 2008

    Anonymous

    Arguably Metallica's heaviest album, the glorious RIDE THE LIGHTNING comes in at #3rd best selling metal album! This was the album that really started getting Metallica recognized around the world. It was followed up with MASTER OF PUPPETS ( Just listen to "Damage Inc." or "Battery" and even today they still stand up against what has come along.)which is really what put them on the map.Master of puppets is the #1 selling metal album of all time. However, the impact of RIDE THE LIGHTNING was definitely felt with "hits" like "Fade To Black", and "For Whom The Bell Tolls" to lesser hailed (but equally memorable) tracks like "Escape" and "Creeping Death".Metallica is a band that opened many doors for a lot of fans/bands. They also opened many doors and provided a lot of listeners with a gateway to other more extreme bands. Sadly, much of their material post "the black album" hardly qualifies as heavy metal.
    The second best selling album of all time is "Number of Beasts". Culling fans from all areas of the metal spectrum, Iron Maiden, clearly are one of the true innovators in heavy metal. The intro to the track "Number of the Beast" has become one of the "prayers" of heavy metal with just about every fan knowing it word for word.Iron Maiden's POWERSLAVE is a monster of an album. After the success of NUMBER OF THE BEAST and its follow up PIECE OF MIND, Iron Maiden was hard pressed to deliver an album that would match its predecessors. They would not disappoint as POWERSLAVE, with its instant classic tracks including "2 Minutes to Midnight" and the epic "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" would cement Iron Maiden at the forefront of the metal world and spawn the massive and seemingly never-ending World Slavery Tour.making for the third entry in the top ten best selling albums with piece of mind, Maiden forever will be a classic of the metal genre..

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  • by mistasweets has a long name now too on November 17th, 2008

    mistasweets has a long name now too

    metallica

    pink floyd's-"dark side of the moon" was one of the highest selling records and my fav

    then MJ threw a monkey wrench with "thriller" sold more copies then anyother CD "album" ever

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  • by Nutsy_Rail on October 29th, 2009

    Nutsy_Rail

    Metallica

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  • by rickissocool5 on September 19th, 2009

    rickissocool5

    I know that Cannibal Corpse is the best selling death metal band of all time, but i'm not sure about all metal.

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  • by Kagan_H on January 27th, 2011

    Kagan_H

    OK, stop with the "fan"fare. There are actual statistics for this stuff. Genre is another issue. To be fair, "metal" should not include pop like Def Leppard, Bon Jovi and the like. To keep it simple; metal can be fast OR slow, but is primarily progressive in some way. It almost always incorporates some form of "classical influence". It is by definition "heavy". So without trying to incorporate questionable artists into the list, the top 3 in worldwide sales are Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Ozzy/Sabbath. The first 2 actually dwarf the 3rd, and were neck and neck with just less than 90 million each as of 2010. Being that Iron Maiden have since released another highly acclaimed album and are currently on a worldwide tour that expect to have them playing to 4 - 5 million people, they will likely take the edge by year's end. Iron Maiden also enjoy one of the MOST loyal of all fanbases, being that they have never been a commercial success. Very few Maiden fans own only 1 or 2 records. In general, their fans own the entire library, and are familiar with all their work. This is the one advantage of never having achieved true commercial success. They have no transient fans. So while Maiden have enjoyed a huge upsurge recently and continue to attract younger fans with fresh new material, Metallica seems a bit on the downslide. Again, I personally think this has more to do with the commercial success Metallica have had and the "flavor of the month" mentality of casual music fans. On the other hand, while Iron Maiden still seem to possess an incredible youthful energy, they ARE nearing their 60's now, and bound to slow down sooner or later. If Metallica can engineer a similar resurgence to what Maiden have done in the past decade, they will likely end their careers as #1. But, I don't believe the fickle masses will make that possible.

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