Death Magnetic , the band 's ninth studio album , was released in 2008 , and debuted at # 1 in the Billboard 200 , making Metallica the first band to achieve five consecutive # 1 albums in United States . Death Magnetic debuted at number one in the United States selling 490,000 units with Metallica becoming the first band to have five consecutive studio albums debut at number one in the history of the Billboard 200 . After a week of its release , Death Magnetic remained at number one on the Billboard 200 , the European album chart , and became the fastest selling album in Australia for 2008 .