Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
It’s May the 4th, a day to celebrate the month that Star Wars movies used to come in. While I’m a huge Star Wars I can’t get past the fact that saying “May the Fourth be with you” just sounds like someone talking with a lisp. But man, what a coincidence that our top debut this week had an album title I can vaguely connect to Star Wars. Lucky me, lucky you. Anyways, this week isn’t particularly robust compared to previous weeks, but you can expect some heavy-hitters in future. Enjoy the charts and try not to get a hand chopped off today.
Notable Debuts:
Texas Hippie Coalition, Dark Side of Black (Carved) #89, 2,450 sold
The band’s previous album Ride On sold a bit more, but this is still a solid debut.
Aborted, Retrogore (Century Media) #167, 1,425 sold
Aborted nabs their best debut yet in the US.
Darkness Divided, Darkness Divided (Victory) 730 sold
The Christian metalcore band’s sophomore effort nabs a better debut than its predecessor.
The 69 Eyes, Universal Monsters (Nuclear Blast) 720 sold
This is the band’s first album in four years. It also debuted at number 2 in their native Finland.
Everything In Slow Motion, Laid Low (Facedown) 710 sold
This is the second EP from this one-man Christian metal project.
Notable Sales:
Deftones, Gore (Reprise) #29, 5,900 sold
A 49% drop, but this is still in the top 30.
Ace Frehley, Origins Vol. 1 (eOne) #52, 3,975 sold
A 75% drop in week two.
Five Finger Death Punch, Got Your Six (Prospect Park) #73, 2,825 sold
This is nearing the 350,000 sold mark. You know, in case you were worried that the band isn’t making money.
Zakk Wylde, Book of Shadows II (eOne) #93, 2,250 sold
A 40% drop into shadow.
Amon Amarth, Jomsviking (Metal Blade) #101, 2,100 sold
Cut down by a 27% drop.
Megadeth, Dystopia (Tradecraft/UMe) #113, 1,950 sold
The band’s last album took about 43 weeks to reach over 80,000 total. Dystopia, on the other hand, has sold over 110,000 in 14 weeks.
Shinedown, Threat To Survival (Atlantic) #129, 1,800 sold
A 28% drop, but this has sold nearly 210,000 total.
Asking Alexandria, The Black (Sumerian) #134, 1,750 sold
A 25% drop probably not what they asked for.
Babymetal, Metal Resistance (RAL) #146, 1,650 sold
In case you missed it, Babymetal are now playable in Super Mario Maker.
Killswitch Engage, Incarnate (Roadrunner) #148, 1,650 sold
Engaging a 12% drop.
Otep, Generation Doom (Napalm) #165, 1,475 sold
A 75% drop in week two.
Black Stone Cherry, Kentucky (Mascot) #170, 1,400 sold
A 22% drop with a cherry on top.
Breaking Benjamin, Dark Before Dawn (Hollywood) #194, 1,225 sold sold
A 4% boost brings this back on the charts after a few weeks off.
Bring Me The Horizon, That’s The Spirit (Columbia) #195, 1,225 sold
This is also back on the charts after dropping off last week.
Dayseeker, Origin (InVouge) 630 sold
Over a year after the album release, it’s now back after the release of a deluxe edition.
Erra, Drift (Sumerian) 600 sold
A 47% sends this adrift.
Red Sun Rising, Polyester Zeal (Razor & Tie) 500 sold
A big boost of 51% during the band’s tour with Sick Puppies.
Surgical Meth Machine, Surgical Meth Machine (Nuclear Blast) 350 sold
A second week 77% drop.
Entheos, The Infinite Nothing (Artery) 290 sold
A 28% boost brings this back up.
Caspian, Dust and Disquiet (Triple Crown) 290 sold
Tour magic boosts this back up by 50%.
Ihsahn, Arktis (Candlelight) 290 sold
A 21% drop.
Mike & The Melvins, Three Men & a Baby (Sub Pop) 280 sold
A 27% drop
Good Tiger, A Head Full Of Moonlight (Metal Blade) 260 sold
This came out last year but is now being rereleased on Metal Blade Records.
The Zenith Passage, Solipsist (Unique Leader) 220 sold
A 69% drop in the second week.
Ice Nine Kills, Every Trick In The Book (Fearless) 210 sold
A big 58% boost brings this up again.
