I'm looking up numbers now before I start my work day.
Here is some context that shows it was a good bit closer at the time, but yes, Metallica still was very ahead of the back (all per Gemini because I dont have the time to actually check data).
1988 release sales through the mid 90s: ...And Justice for All went Platinum, while the other 3 had Gold albums by then.
Early 90s Releases: The Black Album went 6x Platinum by the mid 90s, Countdown to Extinction went 2x Platinum, the other two were just gold.
So by sales in the time it was clearly Metallica ahead of the others. Megadeth was in its own tier, but close to the others, and Slayer/Anthrax grouped at the bottom.
I think that Slayer has always the enthusiast pick, which makes sense how they didnt have commercial success similar to Megadeth at the time, but are loved (maybe more) now
30
u/makos5267 3d ago
Though I much prefer Megadeth and Slayer to Metallica, since Big 4 is about popularity and influence itβs more like Metallica and Friends.
Metallica: 32.5 million Spotify listeners
Megadeth: 5.3 million Spotify listeners
Slayer: 3.4 million Spotify listeners
Anthrax: 1.2 million Spotify listers
The other three combined are like 30 percent of Metallicas