Official Charts
Metallica season is here, and the veteran metal band is coming in hot on the U.K. albums chart.
Based on midweek data published by the Official Charts Company, the Bay Area legends are on track for the chart crown with 72 Seasons (via Vertigo), their 11th studio album.
If it holds it form, 72 Seasons will give James Hetfield and Co. a fourth leader, and first in nearly 15 years.
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The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame-inducted band previously led the chart with 1991’s Metallica (aka The Black Album), Load (1996) and Death Magnetic (2008).
British fans won’t have to wait long to hear Metallica belt out live tracks from 72 Seasons. The European leg of their M72 World Tour 2023/4 will detour into Download Festival at England’s Donington Park for two mid-year shows, June 8 and June 10.
Sliding in at No. 2 on the Official Chart Update is Waterparks’ Intellectual Property (Parlophone), the Houston, TX pop-punk act’s fifth studio album. Waterparks will almost certainly nab a new career high when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published this Friday (April 21); their only other top 40 appearance was with 2021’s Greatest Hits, which peaked at No. 37.
Meanwhile, U.S. blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa could nab a sixth U.K. top 10 with Tales of Time (Mascot). It’s new at No. 10 on the chart blast.
Further down the list, U.S. alternative rock artist Natalie Merchant is shooting for a top 20 debut with Keep Your Courage (Nonesuch), her first studio album in nearly a decade. It’s new at No. 14 on the chart blast.
Also eyeing top 40 berths are British indie rockers Amber Run with How To Be Human (No. 25 on the midweek chart via Tripel) and British rapper Avelino’s with God Save The Streets (No. 34 via More Music Oddchild).
Over on the midweek U.K. singles chart, Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding‘s “Miracle” is on target for a third-straight week at No. 1, while new releases from David Kushner (“Daylight” via Miserable Music) and Lewis Capaldi (“Wish You The Best” via Vertigo) look set to complete the podium.
All will be revealed when the OCC publishes its national charts this Friday.
Olly Murs‘ Marry Me (via EMI) is walking up the aisle for a U.K. No. 1.
The English pop singer’s seventh studio LP leads the midweek chart, and is heading for a fifth U.K. No. 1 following In Case You Didn’t Know (from 2011), Right Place Right Time (2012), Never Been Better (2014) and 24 HRS (2016).
The X Factor alum has brushed off controversy surrounding the lyrics to Marry Me song “I Hate You When You’re Drunk,” to take pole position on the Official Chart Update, ahead of Taylor Swift’s Midnights (EMI) and Cliff Richard’s Christmas With Cliff (EastWest/Rhino), respectively.
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Meanwhile, Atlanta hip-hop producer Metro Boomin could score a career-best with Heroes & Villains (Republic Records), his sophomore solo studio album. It’s new at No. 4 on the Official Chart Update.
Metro Boomin (real name Leland Tyler Wayne) previously impacted the chart with 2018’s Not All Heroes Wear Capes (No. 16) and 2020’s Savage Mode II with 21 Savage (No. 10).
Veteran British electronic music duo Leftfield could snag a fourth top 10 with This Is What We Do (Virgin Music), their first new studio record in seven years. It’s new at No. 8 on the chart blast. The duo of Neil Barnes and Adam Wren hit No. 3 with their classic debut from 1995, Leftism; No. 1 with 1999’s Rhythm And Stealth; and No. 6 with 2015’s Alternative Light Source.
BTS star RM’s solo debut Indigo (BigHit Entertainment) could enter the top 40 at the first attempt. It’s new at No. 27 on the chart blast. As a member of BTS, the South Korean rapper has enjoyed U.K. No. 1s with Map Of The Soul – Persona in 2019, and Map Of The Soul – 7 in 2020.
Christmas has already arrived on the U.K. charts, with several titles making an impression on the midweek albums survey.
Behind Cliff Richard’s first yuletide offering in almost 20 years is Michael Bublé’s Christmas (Reprise), which is on track for its annual return to the top 5, up 11-5; Andrea, Matteo and Virginia Bocelli’s A Family Christmas (Decca) dips 6-5; Andre Rieu & Johann Strauss Orchestra’s Silver Bells (Decca) is up 10-7; Aled Jones & Russell Watson’s Christmas With Aled & Russell (BMG) lifts 37-29; and the Corrs’ lead vocalist Andrea Corr could grab a solo career-best with The Christmas Album (Atlantic), new at No. 32 on the midweek chart.
Finally, Fleetwood Mac is staging a return to the top ten, following Christine McVie’s death Nov. 30, aged 79. The Rock Hall inductees’ 1977 LP Rumours (Rhino/Warner Bros) experiences a 200% week-on-week gain, and is on track for a top 10 return, up 28-9; while 50 Years – Don’t Stop (Rhino) could lift 29-14.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published Friday.
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