June 2003 - Platinum Europe Awards

July 4, 2003

It's summer and there's a hint of nostalgia in the air. Three of June's quartet of albums, which achieved sales of one million across Europe, are not new releases, with Metallica's latest the exception.

American iconoclast Lenny Kravitz achieved Platinum Europe status for Lenny - his third album to garner a PE Award, joining 5 and Greatest Hits. Lenny, his sixth album, released in 2001, features twelve tracks written, produced and arranged by the man himself in a classic funk rock brew.

Metallica's latest album St. Anger, was released and has achieved a Platinum Europe accolade in the same month, indicating an audience hungry for their latest offering. The album has already gone gold in twelve European countries and platinum in four more. The tenth studio album from the Californian rockers sees them back in unrelenting mood; no ballads soften the edges of an uncompromising and potent release.

Placebo's critically acclaimed 1998 album Without You I'm Nothing tops sales of one million just as the band releases a well-received new album. The album went platinum in the UK, and received gold awards in France, Germany, Greece and Italy. Placebo is currently on an extensive world tour that started in March and takes in Europe, Australia, USA and Eastern Europe before being slated to end in France in October.

Skunk Anansie's riveting 1999 release Post Orgasmic Chill has also joined the big hitters album club in Europe with sales of one million. The album has picked up national gold awards in Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK, and double platinum awards in Portugal and Italy. The band, an excellent live draw in its day, has now disbanded to pursue solo careers, with Skin, the band's erstwhile and charismatic lead singer, currently promoting her first solo album.

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