The group, who are already at number one in the singles chart with 'Sex on Fire', ended Metallica's two week reign at the top to take.

'Only By The Night' has become the second fastest selling album of the year, selling 220,000 copies in its opening week.

Only Coldplay's fourth album 'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends' sold more.

Other new entries in this week's album chart came from The Pussycat Dolls, who charted at number four, and David Gilmour.

Metallica's 'Death Magnetic' fell six places to number seven.

Meanwhile, in the singles chart, James Morrison's comeback single made its way into the top-ten, while the new James Bond theme, 'Another Way To Die', charted at twenty-six.

(by Jason Gregory)