It’s now over a week into 2016, so it’s time to stop saying “Happy New Year” and look forward to the next 51 weeks. That being said, our weekly Metal By Numbers continues to track what albums are still being bought, and with 2015 in the rear view, we thought it would be worth taking a look at what albums sold in 2015. Keep in mind, that this is out of all albums sold, so it’s not just albums that were released in 2015. In fact, a lot of the ones on the list are considerably older than that. Also, we only have information for the top 200 albums, and it’s from all genres, not just metal. The #200 album, Tame Impala’s Currents, sold 120,000 copies, so if your favorite album isn’t on this list, that means it sold less than that. Let’s jump into it, shall we?
Kid Rock, First Kiss (354,000 sold)
This album fell off our radar shortly after it came out, but having been released in February, it apparently kept selling.
Breaking Benjamin, Dark Before Dawn (305,000 sold)
After a six year hiatus, Breaking Benjamin returned in a big way. The #1 album sold 135,000 it’s first week and kept selling.
Five Finger Death Punch, Got Your Six (281,000)
This band is in their own category by now. Their first three albums have gone gold, which is more than most bands that formed in the last decade can say. Their new one of more than halfway there, even though streaming has cannibalized sales.
Disturbed, Immortalized (234,000 copies)
Disturbed’s comeback album had a pretty solid showing, but it’s not selling as well as their previous albums.
Metallica, Master of Puppets (202,000)
Everyone talks about the Black Album, likely because it’s the biggest-selling album of the SoundScan era (for now), but it’s mind-blowing that Master sold over 200,000 in 2015. Especially since they own their masters (MASTERS!).
Journey, Greatest Hits (199,000 sold)
Not metal, just wanted to point out that a lot of people haven’t stopped believing and are holding on to that feeling.
AC/DC, Back in Black (163,000 sold)
The band’s 1980 album sold more in 2015 than Rock or Bust, their album that came out towards the end of 2014…
AC/DC, Rock or Bust (159,500 sold)
…but not by much.
Shinedown, Threat to Survival (153,500 sold)
Not a bad three month tally for the band’s fifth album.
Metallica, …And Justice For All (150,000 sold)
There might not be any other artists that have three albums in the top sellers of the year (well, except for Adele).
Iron Maiden, Book of Souls (148,000 sold)
Up the irons! This should continue selling with the band’s tour coming up this year.
Halestorm, Into the Wild Life (143,000)
Lzzy Hale and co. are off to a solid start with their third album.
Foo Fighters, Greatest Hits (142,000 sold)
Why people would buy this when they can just turn on any rock or alternative station and hear every song on here is beyond us.
Metallica, Metallica (141,00 sold)
Nice hat trick, guys. Sadly, Lulu is nowhere to be found on this list.
Led Zeppelin, Physical Graffiti (138,000 sold)
Sometimes, you’ve got to go back to the classics. The band’s catalogue being remastered probably helped goose sales.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Letters From the Labyrinth (136,000 sold)
It’s beginning to look a lot like… these guys being able to print money. The band’s eighth album just came out mid-November, but their theatrical Christmas metal continues to do well on the road and in record stores.
Marilyn Manson, The Pale Emperor (135,700 sold)
Manson’s album caps off a solid year for him. It’s his best-reviewed album in years, and the tour with The Smashing Pumpkins solidified that he’s still a good live draw too.
Kid Rock, Devil Without a Cause (134,000 sold)
Apparently, people can’t get enough of Joe C. That or they want to bawitdaba da bang da dang diggy diggy, diggy said the boogie said up jump da boogie.
Nickelback, Dark Horse (122,500)
People endlessly talk shit about Nickelback (as do we), but they’re still selling records.
Three Days Grace, Human (121,000)
This Canadian rock band’s fifth album hasn’t gone platinum like their first three, but it’s early yet.
