Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
This week, the top metal/hard rock debut comes from Nikki Sixx’s side project Sixx:A.M. Like 2007’s The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack, the band’s sophomore album This Is Gonna Hurt is a companion piece with a book by Sixx with the same name. Unlike its predecessor, though, Sixx:A.M.’s second album debuts in the top ten, selling just under 30,000 copies. Compared to how most rock bands have been selling as of late, this is pretty impressive. It’s even more impressive to see bands selling considerably well despite doing barely any touring. Then again, it definitely helps to have a member of Motley Crue as your main song writer.
Notable Debuts:
Sixx:A.M., This is Gonna Hurt (Eleven Seven) #10, 29,860 sold
Compared to the first week sales of other Motley Crue member’s side projects, Nikki Sixx’s band has an amazing first week.
dredg, Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy (Superball) #140, 3,660 sold
Considering that this album was leaked in the beginning of April, dredg’s first week sales aren’t too bad, though compared to previous albums isn’t their strongest debut.
Leaves’ Eyes, Meredead (Napalm) 990 sold
A solid first week for symphonic metal group considering that their fourth album was released in Europe two weeks prior to its North American release.
In Fear and Faith, Symphonies (Rise) 530 sold
Considering that this is an EP carrying orchestral renditions of the band’s songs, In Fear and Faith’s first week sales are pretty decent.
Wormrot, Dirge (Earache) 420 sold
The Singapore grindcore group has a modest first week.
Notable Sales:
Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA) #12, 27,080 sold
A 21% decrease sees the Foo Fighters fall ten spots down the charts in their fourth week.
Hollywood Undead, American Tragedy (A&M/Octone) #54, 9,730 sold
After five weeks, the rapcore group falls out of the top 50.
Kid Rock, Born Free (Atlantic) #61, 8.480 sold
Even with a 14% increase, the American badass falls ten spots down the charts.
Five Finger Death Punch, War is the Answer (Prospect Park) #115, 4,450 sold
After 85 weeks on the charts, this album is STILL selling constantly well.
Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare (Warner Bros.) #119, 4,370 sold
A7X experience a nice 28% increase in sales, and also jump 16 spots up the charts.
Silverstein, Rescue (Hopeless) #145, 3,590 sold
A 68% decrease sees the post-hardcore group fall a whopping 108 spots down the charts.
Asking Alexandria, Reckless and Relentless (Sumerian) # 146, 3570 sold
After five weeks, the metalcore princes fall out of the top 100 with a 14% decrease.
Linkin Park, A Thousand Suns (Warner Bros.) #154, 3,450 sold
A modest increase isn’t enough to help LP crawl back up the charts.
Otep, Atavist (Victory) #174, 3,160 sold
A 55% decrease in sales sees Otep Shamaya and co. falling 116 spots down the charts in their second week.
Disturbed, Asylum (Reprise) #179, 3,010 sold
Disturbed’s new song written especially in honor of the “Free West Memphis Three Support Fund” called “3” is now available exclusively through their website.
Texas in July, One Reality (Equal Vision) 1,190 sold
A 63% decrease kicks the post-hardcore group out of the top 200 in their second week.
Volbeat, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (Universal) 910 sold
After 25 weeks, the Danish garage metallers have sold over 21,300 copies of their latest album. Given how their popularity has increased considerably as of late (though not as much as around the rest of the world), and how awesome they are, you’d think this album would be selling more.
Memphis May Fire, The Hollow (Rise) 910 sold
Following the trend of other debut releases from last week, the Southern post-hardcore group fall off the charts with a 77% decrease in sales.
Art Of Dying, Vices And Virtures (Reprise/Intoxication) 770 sold
The Canadian rockers’ appearance on the Avalanche Tour must be behind the modest increase in sales. Too bad the tour came to an end this past weekend.
I See Stars, The End Of The World Party (Sumerian) 750 sold
Somehow, the post-hardcore/pop-punk band experience a 38% increase in their eleventh week on the charts.
Duff McKagan’s Loaded, The Taking (Eagle Rock) 530 sold
They might have been able to sell more than Chinese Democracy last week, but this time Duff and co. fall short with a 39% decrease in sales.
Red Fang, Murder the Mountains (Relapse) 500 sold
Don’t worry Red Fang, only about 2 months until Mayhem Fest kicks off.
