Coldplay notch up world’s best-selling album of 2008

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 yesterday.

The group’s fourth studio album sold 6.8 million units worldwide, said the London-based International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, 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 federation said.

US rockers Guns N’ Roses’ long-awaited Chinese Democracy, their first studio album of original material since 1991, came 14th.