British rock band Coldplay s Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends was the top-selling album worldwide in 2008, industry figures showed Monday.
The group s fourth studio album sold 6.8 million units worldwide, said the London-based International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which represents the recording industry worldwide.
Black Ice, the first new album from Australian hard rockers AC/DC in eight years, came second, while the soundtrack to the hit film Mamma Mia! The Movie came third.
In fourth place, British singer Duffy s Rockferry was the top-selling debut album, while veteran US heavy metal band Metallica s ninth studio album Death Magnetic came fifth.
Viva La Vida sold more downloads than any other album in digital history within a month of release, the IFPI said.
Earlier this month, Coldplay, who describe their music as very heavy soft rock, won three Grammy Awards in the United States, including best rock album. They are nominated for three Brit Awards in Britain.
Coldplay are about to start a tour of Australia before playing North America and a series of European stadium dates later this year.
The group will be making their Middle East debut next month in a concert in Abu Dhabi.
The 10 biggest-selling albums contained four by British artists, three by US artists and two film soundtracks.
Elsewhere, US rockers Guns N Roses long-awaited Chinese Democracy, their first studio album of original material since 1991, came 14th.
The 25th anniversary edition of US king of pop Michael Jackson s Thriller album – the world s all-time best-selling album – took 32nd place. -AFP with additional reporting by Daily News Egypt
Top 20 selling albums of 2008:
1. Coldplay – Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
2. AC/DC – Black Ice
3. Various Artists – Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack Featuring The Songs Of ABBA
4. Duffy – Rockferry
5. Metallica – Death Magnetic
6. Leona Lewis – Spirit
7. Amy Winehouse – Back To Black
8. Various Artists – High School Musical 3: Senior Year
9. Lil Wayne – Tha Carter III
10. Rihanna – Good Girl Gone Bad
11. Madonna – Hard Candy
12. Beyonce – I Am… Sasha Fierce
13. Pink – Funhouse
14. Guns N Roses – Chinese Democracy
15. Britney Spears – Circus
16. Jack Johnson – Sleep Through The Static
17. Il Divo – The Promise
18. Taylor Swift – Fearless
19. Jonas Brothers – A Little Bit Longer
20. Various Artists – Camp Rock
