Kings of Leon are expected to replace Metallica at the top of the UK album charts this Sunday with 'Only By The Night'.

The band's fourth album sold 80,000 copies on its opening day this week – and looks set to become one of the biggest selling releases of the year.

Coldplay currently hold the record with 302,000 first week sales of 'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends'.

'Only By The Night' arrives shortly after Kings of Leon's headlining appearance at the Glastonbury festival, which for many signified their arrival on the world stage.

A spokesperson for HMV called the sales figures “absolutely astounding” and estimated that the group may have sold close to 250,000 copies by the time chart figures close.

Metallica are been number one for the last two weeks with their latest album 'Death Magnetic'.

(by Jason Gregory)