Metallica failed to claim their fourth number 1 album in the U.K. this week as Little Mix took the top spot with Glory Days.
The band had previously hit the top with Metallica (1991), Load (1996) and Death Magnetic (2008) but the new album only was able to get to number 2 against the Little Mix fandom.
Hardwired…to Self Destruct is the band’s first true studio album since Death Magnetic although they did release Lulu (2011 / #36) with Lou Reed and the soundtrack to Through the Never (2013 / #36) in the interim.
Hardwired is at the top of the Vinyl, Rock & Metal and Record Store Albums.
Three other veteran artists stayed in the top ten for the week, Michael Ball & Alfie Boe’s Together (3 to 4), Elvis Presley’s The Wonder of You (steady at 5) and Robbie Williams’ The Heavy Entertainment Show (6 to 7).
At 17 is the premier of Unplugged by UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue, the three members who left the band and are under fire by the original group. It’s their first charting album under the name.
Donna Summer’s The Ultimate Collection opens at 30. It’s her first and highest charting album since The Journey: The Very Best of Donna Summer (2004 / #6).
R.E.M. new deluxe version of Out of Time starts at 56. It previously hit number 1 in 1991 and 21 in 1994.
Sixx:A.M.’s Prayers for the Blessed, Volume 2 doesn’t even come close to it’s predecessor, starting out at 85. Earlier this year, Prayers for the Damned became the band’s highest charting album at 30.
Finally, the Human League premier at 90 with Anthology: A Very British Synthesizer Group.
Little Mix tops the Album chart with Glory Days followed by Metallica, Bruno Mars’ 24k Magic, Ball & Boe and Presley.
Over on the Independent Albums chart, Rick Astley is back on top with 50 while Van Morrison is at the top of the Americana Albums with Keep Me Singing.
Clean Bandit is at number 1 again on the Singles chart with Rockabye followed by Black Beatles by Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane, Shout Out to My Ex by Little Mix, Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur and Don’t Wanna Know by Maroon 5 Featuring Kendrick Lamar.
The Prodigy top the Vinyl Singles chart with The Day is My Enemy.
