Pop Album Chart : Metallica Debuts at No. 1 Spot

The heavy-metal band Metallica scored its first No. 1 album, with “Metallica” debuting in the top spot of the Billboard magazine pop chart. Entering the chart at No. 1 used to be a rarity but now it’s old hat. This is the fourth album to enter the pop chart at No. 1 since the magazine changed to a new ranking system a few months ago. Metallica knocked Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable” down to No. 2, its first time out of the top spot in five weeks. Rapper Young M.C.’s “Brainstorm” debuted at No. 75 but should take a big jump next week. * Seal, an English, Terence Trent D’Arby-like singer, is one of the hottest new singers to emerge in the last few months. His self-titled album jumped six notches to No. 31 and could reach the Top 20 as his single, “Crazy”--No. 12 and rising on the pop singles chart--climbs into the Top 10.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1.”Metallica” ... ... 1 Metallica (Elektra) 2.”Unforgettable” 1 1 10 Natalie Cole (Elektra) 3.”C.M.B.” 5 11 4 Color Me Badd (Giant) 4.”Luck of the Draw” 2 2 8 Bonnie Raitt (Capitol) 5.”CooleyHighHarmony” 3 5 14 Boyz II Men (Motown) *”Seal” 37 45 7 Seal (Sire)