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Based on previous performance, [Metallica] could do around 400k, though there are questions how much the current economy will affect that number.

METALLICA’S THE ONE, WITH FRIDAY ON THEIR MINDS

Jessica Simpson, LL Cool J, Eric Benet Also Set to Debut
Record retailers across this great land of our not otherwise preoccupied picking off wolves from an airplane are now saying, “Thank God for Friday.”

Because that’s when the new Warner Bros. Metallica album, Death Magnetic, the heavy metal mainstays' first since 2003’s St. Anger, arrives in stores worldwide.

Based on previous performance, the album could do around 400k, though there are questions how much the current economy will affect that number.

At any rate, it’s a prohibitive favorite to debut at #1 next week ahead of chart-topper Young Jeezy’s second week with the expected drop-off.

As for yesterday’s releases, Epic/Columbia Nashville’s newest country diva, Jessica Simpson, with the most discussed cleavage in Music City this side of Dolly Parton, is headed for a first-week of around 65-70k for her new Do You Know album. Now, you do. By the way, the album is #1 at the moment on iTunes.

Island/IDJ rap mainstay LL Cool’s new Exit 13 drops with an estimated first-week total of 40k, while Halle Berry’s ex, Eric Benet’s WB album, Love & Life, could do 35-40k, thanks to the Top 20 R&B hit, “You’re the Only One,” apparently not dedicated to Berry or David Duchovny.

Other newcomers include Fueled by Ramen’s Gym Class Heroes, fronted by Travis McCoy, someone who actually knows what it’s like to kiss Katy Perry. The group’s new release, The Quilt, looks in the 35-40k range.

Kardinal Offishall, on Akon’s Kon Live/Geffen label, is also in line for a Top 50 bow.

The market was down 6% vs. last week, down 8% vs. same week last year and now still down a steady 11% to date. This pig sure could use some lipstick of its own.