I love this fucking album.  Billboard reports:

In just a three-day sales window, Metallica’s “Death Magnetic” (Warner Bros.) sold nearly half a million copies and tops The Billboard 200. The band’s first studio album since 2003 moved 490,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. “Death Magnetic” hit shelves on Friday instead of last Tuesday in order to accommodate a worldwide release date.

This total outdistances the opening sum of its last studio set, “St. Anger,” which sold 418,000 copies in a similarly shorter-than-normal window. The last Metallica album to stage a larger opener than “Magnetic” was 1996’s “Load,” which rolled 680,000 units in its first frame.

Metallica is the first group to see five of its albums bow at No. 1 on The Billboard 200. Previously, the act was tied with the Beatles, U2 and the Dave Matthews Band, with four each. It is also Metallica’s fifth consecutive studio album to debut at No. 1 and its seventh release to start with more than 300,000 since 1991, when Nielsen SoundScan began tracking data.

The Jonas Brothers can officially suck it.  I don’t know if I’ve demonstrated this yet, but I have an undying hatred for the Jonas Brothers.  To me they are everything that is wrong with the music industry.  They are a corporately manufactured pop “band” whose sole purpose is to make Disney money, and wouldn’t you know it, the tone-deaf tween girls are eating up their shit like its made of strawberry ponies.  So, it’s quite satisfying to see that a real band like Metallica just about eclipsed the Jonas Douchers’ week-long sales in three days.  And they did it with an album that is absolutely beautiful.  So, once again, the Jonas Brothers should go on an African Safari and swim in the rivers during the wildebeest migration.

Friggin’ sweet.

In no way is this surprising.  First of all it’s Metallica, they could fart into a microphone and it’d go at least triple-platinum; secondly, this album is fucking awesome.  Ultimate-Guitar reports:

Metallica’s much anticipated follow-up to St. Anger, Death Magnetic, will debut at Number One on the Billboard 200 album chart. The debut marks the return of the four horsemen; James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich and Robert Trujillo. The band worked with Rick Rubin, Slayer’s famous producer, and it forced Metallica into a new headspace.

Metallica’s Death Magnetic beat out albums by Kid Rock, Young Jeezy, Jessica Simpson and LL Cool J for the top slot. The tour kicks off October 21 in Glendale, Arizona.

Seriously, this album fan-fucking-tastic.  It’s easily the best album to be released this year. so stop vigorously fondling yourself to those Megan Fox pictures and go out and buy it.

Jessica Simpson’s ass says hello.  It probably should’ve gone to the gym first.  (Egotastic)

Retailers in the UK have started Metallica’s Death Magnetic a day ahead of schedule.  Unfortunately, I live on the opposite side of that big expanse of water.  (Ultimate Guitar)

Jenna Dewan decides a bikini is proper sleeping attire.  Ladies, take note.  (WWTDD)

The 10 Hottest ESPN News Reporters.  Erin Andrews wins any day of the week.  (Uncoached)

The 10 Hottest Female Twins of all time.  (Unibrow)

This is the first I have heard of Farabe Cottingham, which wouldn’t be so tragic if she wasn’t she friggin’ hot.  (Gorillamask)

Oh happy days!  Break has unleashed another gallery.  (Break)

Maxim recycles old Megan Fox photos; no one complains.  (Popoholic)

Gina Gershon does Sarah Palin wearing a bikini that comes with a gun (See: Gina Gershon is hot).  (Funny or Die)

So, aside from being one of the most skilled bassists on the planet, Robert Trujillo is also a pretty damn good flamenco player.  That talented bastard.

I don’t know about any of you who read this site (thanks Uncle Bernie!), but Metallica is one of my favorite bands, and I never joined the “sold-out” bandwagon.  I’ve liked all of their albums, though St. Anger isn’t allowed out of the CD case that often, and I have anticipated their new album for quite some time.  So far, I am impressed, excited, and intrigued.  They seem to be a better band (Robert Trujillo is amazing) than they have been in a long time and I think “Death Magnetic” will be fantastic.  Anyway, here’s a video of Metallica playing their first official single “The Day That Never Comes” at the Leeds Festival in the UK.  I have absolutely fallen in love with this song.

NOTE: Click the link below to listen to the studio version of “The Day That Never Comes.”