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Metallica scared Glasvegas will beat them to Number One?

'Death Magnetic' gets an early release in UK triggering chart battle

Metallica's new album, 'Death Magnetic', has gone on sale two days early in the UK, despite its worldwide release being scheduled
for tomorrow (September 12).

NME.COM spoke to several British shops, including branches of HMV and Zavvi, who said they were selling physical copies of the album yesterday (September 10).

It has been speculated that the early release was because 'Death Magnetic' leaked online earlier this month - however, the the band have declared they were unconcerned with the leak and outlets outside the UK are still sticking with the worldwide release date of September 12.

Music industry insiders, however, have instead suggested that the veterans are worried about losing out on the Number One slot to newcomers Glasvegas.

The Scottish band released their self-titled debut album on Monday (September 9) and, according to midweek charts, it has sold over 100,000 copies already this week.

"Metallica have lost nearly half a week in sales on Glasvegas so it's going to be close on Sunday when the chart is announced," a source told NME.COM. "This is a big comeback for Metallica and their label, they really want to top the charts so it wouldn't surprise me if they decided to put their album out a few days early in the UK when they saw how well Glasvegas were doing."

A spokesperson for Metallica repeated that the official release date for the album was still September 12.

Check NME.COM on Sunday (September 14) at around 7pm (BST) to find out who tops the UK Albums Chart.

Visit the NME Office Blog to view a selection of classic Metallica performances.

Read our Glasvegas/Metallica chart blog on the NME Office Blog now.
 

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Comments (11)

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robhoward79 

Sep 11, 2008

Even if Glasvegas do beat them, Metallica will utterly crush their record sales in the long run. Like Metallica even NEED to be number one these days anyway...

Killing Joke 

Sep 11, 2008

What a load of cobblers. How likely is it that Metallica have a clue as to who GlasVegas are? At this stage, I'm sure Metallica aren't as concerned as they used to be with getting the Number 1 spot. They still sell out stadiums around the world. Must be a slow day for news.

richy_w 

Sep 11, 2008

The new album is solid ... the best songs in my opinion were the ones they gave aways as MP3's on MissionMetallica. The instrumental ... can't remember the title is very catchy ... a real classic. Apart from that it ain't gonna change the world. Check out Scars on Broadway ... my fave album of the year so far.See you at the O2 - might need binoculars.

elvis_minogue 

Sep 11, 2008

I didn't realise that Michael Eavis was in Metallica!

Meddick 

Sep 11, 2008

bbc news says the metallica album has been released today due to so much leaking metallica just said to release it, trying to top the charts with an early release?

clarkuss 

Sep 11, 2008

Why didn't they just release it on a monday like everyone else?

Woody Charisma 

Sep 12, 2008

Cant say im a fan of either band however good to see a band like Glasvegas able to sell as much if not more than Metallica!However i doubt another number 1 album will matter to them but some times its the gauge on how an album is a success!The media like to stir things up even if its between a band past there bes and an up and coming Indie band. Any publicity is good publicity!

tom00 

Sep 12, 2008

im pretty sure glasvegas have not sold 100,000

GlasvegasGregg 

Sep 12, 2008

Be scared metallica. The headliners of Reading getting outsold by a band from the fourth stage. Lets hope it happens eh?

jamtart75 

Sep 12, 2008

Metallica have been around for too long, time to give another band a chance, moan Glasvegas!

sashford 

Sep 12, 2008

Erm, how could Glasvegas not have sold that many albums?? In the midweek album chart round up, they were at number 1.

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