Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
While Breaking Up Benjamin have the top rock debut (no, we’re not counting Blue October, who debuted in the top ten), the top metal debut belongs to Chimaira, who sold a respectable 7,400 of their E1 debut. Atilla’s second album of Atlanta party metal music also lands in the top 100.
Notable Debuts:
Breaking Benjamin, Shallow Bay: The Best Of Breaking Benjamin (Hollywood) #22, 13,700 sold
There are a few things confusing about this. a) The band has put out enough material in nine years to warrant a greatest hits album. b) It’s a double album. c) A solid amount of people bought the album. d) Breaking Benjamin.
Chimaira, The Age of Hell (E1 Music) #52, 7,400 sold
While just missing the top 50, Chimaira’s first album with a significant lineup change sells less than their last album, which sold around 15,000 and debuted at #30.
Atilla, Outlawed (Razor and Tie/The Artery Foundation) #82, 4,700 sold
Maybe their stint on the All Stars tour helped the Atlanta band death/groove band move close to 5,000 albums. It doesn’t hurt that they’re a steadily touring band that only released their R&T debut little more than a year ago. But the band also share a name with Billy Joel‘s first band. How cool is that? Not very.
Psychostick, Space Vampires Vs. Zombie Dinosaurs (Rock Ridge) 1,850 sold
It’s hard to tell whether this is a good or band number for the Arizona “humorcore” band, whose third album has a single called “Because Boobs.” It’s hard to hate a band that parodies Drowning Pool’s “Bodies” with a song called “Numbers (I Can Only Count To Four),” though.
Revocation, Chaos of Forms (Relapse) 1,200 sold
The technical death metal band’s third album is off to a pretty solid start, and will likely be sustained throughout the fall as they tour with Chimaira.
Today is the Day, Pain is a Warning (Blackmarket Activities) 550 sold
In addition to being the long-running band’s most straightforward album in a while, it’s also their first with a new rhythm section, with Wet Nurse’s Curran Reynolds and Ryan Jones joining. Bonus: the album title is helpful information!
Design the Skyline, Nevaeh, (Victory) 450 copies
One day, the emo 16 year-old bassist that got kicked out of this band will look back and realize that it might have been the best thing to happen to his life. At least that’s what the reviews are saying.
Jonathan Davis & the SFA, Live at the Union Chapel (KOCH Entertainment) 420 sold
Hey, did you know Jonathan Davis from Korn has a double-disc live album from his solo tour? Neither did we. Or the record buying public, for that matter.
Yob, Atma (Profound Lore) 400 sold
The doom metal band’s second album since reuniting in 2008 brings out a handful of stoners to buy the album, which is already in some top ten lists.
Notable Sales:
Trivium, In Waves (Roadrunner) #59, 6,700 sold
A 70% drop is somewhat sizable, but with about 30,000 sold in two weeks, the band’s doing pretty well, and their tour should keep people buying their solid new album.
Incubus, If Not Now, When? (Epic) #62, 6,200 sold
Sorry Incubus, we’re not going to write about you anymore. You’re simply not metal enough.
Theory Of A Deadman, Truth Is (Roadrunner) #65, 6,000 sold
Same deal goes for you, Theory of a Deadman. There’s only one Nickelback, and they’re not even metal.
Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA) #66, 6,000 sold
We’d say the same thing we just said about Incubus and Theory of a Deadman, but Dave Grohl gets a lifetime pass from Metal By Numbers unless he records an album of standards. Or collaborates with Ke$ha.
Kid Rock, Born Free (Atlantic) #89, 4,400 sold
With an 8% increase, the pride of Detroit is back in the top 100. And yes, I realize we called him the pride of Detroit, but when you’ve got Insane Clown Posse as your competish, the bar’s lowered.
Hollywood Undead, American Tragedy (A&M/Octone) #109, 3,700 sold
Speaking of dudes with masks that no one takes seriously but still sell records…
Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare (Warner Bros.) #123, 3,400 sold
The band do roughly the same as last week with the Uproar Tour about to happen.
Black Veil Brides, Set the World on Fire (Universal Republic) #176, 2,400 sold
The band have sold about 57,000 in ten weeks. Pretty solid, even if they put half of the money right back into makeup.
Volbeat, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (Universal) 1,300 sold
The band have a modest 5% decrease, but keep consistently selling around the same every week. The 40,000 they’ve sold so far over 40 weeks, doesn’t equal a tone, but in only 38 more years, they’ll have a gold album!
Jasta, Jasta (eOne) 800 sold
With 7,300 sold in a month, he will be heard… but not by that many people.
Eyes Set to Kill, White Lotus (Forsee/Maphia) 750 sold
2,000 copies in two weeks doesn’t seem like a ton, but it’s on their own imprint, which means they’re probably seeing a lot more money than they did on previous labels.
Bury Your Dead, Mosh ‘N’ Roll (Mediaskare) 500 sold
Too bad the Will Smith/Jada Pinkett Smith divorce rumors were just that. It would’ve freed Will to go out on the road with his boys!
Dir En Grey, Dum Spiro Spero (The End) 500 sold
5,300 copies sold in three weeks isn’t bad. Especially since it’s an album that isn’t in English and it has the creepiest fucking video I’ve seen in years. BTW, the “fucking” was for emphasis. I’ve definitely seen creepier porn.
Fleshgod Apocalypse, Agony (Nuclear Blast) 490 sold
66% decrease for the Italian death metal band’s album.
Straight Line Stitch, The Fight of Our Lives (eOne Music) 400 sold
How did Straight Line Stitch have a 74% increase? We don’t have an answer. Seriously, HOW?!
Rival Sons, Pressure & Time (Earache) 360 sold
The band cross the 5,000 mark, which is great for a band that sounds like the spawn of Zeppelin in a land of decreasing rock radio.
