Metallica's 'Death Magnetic' outsold Glasvegas' self-titled debut album by nearly 20,000 copies to get to number one, new sales figures show.

Despite only officially going on sale on Friday, the American metal band's album topped the UK charts, selling 75,164 copies compared to Glasvegas' 56,387.

Glasvegas' much-hyped effort had been the bookies favourite to secure the top spot but suffered when Vertigo dropped the sales embargo on Metallica's album.

It's understood that the record label were forced to respond after a number of stores began selling 'Death Magnetic' early.

As previously reported, Kings of Leon ended Katy Perry's reign at number one with new single 'Sex on Fire'.

(by Jason Gregory)