Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.

Everyone knew that Foo Fighters was going to be one of the biggest albums of the year, so no surprises on that front. However, as far as actual metal albums go, we can see that Machine Head has reached quite the milestone after 23 years of being a band. It’s crazy to think that if things had gone as badly as Robb Flynn described on Facebook, there might not be a Machine Head album on here. But there is, and it feels good. Check that out in addition to a fistful of other debuts.

 

Notable Debuts:

Foo Fighters, Sonic Highways (RCA) #2, 189,500 sold

This doesn’t manage to topple Taylor Swift, but it’s a monster debut nonetheless.

 

Machine Head, Bloodstone & Diamonds (Nuclear Blast) #20 18,250 sold

Machine Head nabs its highest debut yet on album eight.

 

Job For A Cowboy, Sun Eater (Metal Blade) #91, 3,900 sold

The band’s latest album doesn’t outdo previous debuts, but it does feature George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher as a guest.

 

Erra, Moment of Clarity (Sumerian) #152, 2,325 sold

The band releases a new EP.

 

Antemasque, Antemasque (Nadie Sound) #179, 1,900 sold

This is the debut from a band made up of former The Mars Volta members and Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers.

 

Carcass, Surgical Remission/Surplus Steel (Nuclear Blast) #185, 1,850 sold

A year and two months ago, Carcass returned with Surgical Steel. Now they have new EP out in case that wasn’t enough for you.

 

Ne Obliviscaris, Citadel (Season of Mist) 930 sold

The second album from these well-received Aussies gets its debut.

 

Devilment, The Great and Secret Show (Nuclear Blast) 880 sold

A band featuring Dani Filth that is, according to Facebook, described as “Black Murder Musick”, which could strike people as either lame or unintentionally racist.

 

Skyharbor, Guiding Lights (Basick) 640 sold

This prog metal act hails from India and is fronted by TesseracT vocalist Daniel Tompkins.

 

Villains, Freudian Slip (Self-Released) 360 sold

For a self-released album, this does okay.

 

Old Man Gloom, The Ape of God I (Profound Lore) 300 sold

The metal industry’s trolls of the year debut one of two albums.

 

Haken, Restoration (Century Media) 300 sold

A new EP from these British prog metallers.

 

 

Notable Sales:

Slipknot, .5: The Grey Chapter (Roadrunner) #28, 12,525 sold

Just under 200,000 sold in four weeks.

 

Black Veil Brides, Black Veil Brides (Republic) #92, 3,850 sold

A 48% drop with over 40,000 sold.

 

Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, World On Fire (Dik Hayd) #144, 2,375 sold

Just under 60,000 sold.

 

Godsmack, 1000hp (Universal Republic) #146, 2,375 sold

If if weren’t for the car on the album cover, people would have assumed the title was 1000 Hit Points.

 

Five Finger Death Punch, The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell Vol. 1 (Prospect Park) #147, 2,350 sold

A 2% boost. Whoop.

 

Primus, Primus & The Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble (ATO) #153, 2,300 sold

Even Veruca Salt doesn’t want a 34% drop.

 

Disciple, Attack (Self-Released) #60, 2,300 sold

This is on the attack with a massive boost back onto the charts.

 

Linkin Park, The Hunting Party (Warner Bros.) #190, 1,775 sold

Over 255,000 sold.

 

Five Finger Death Punch, The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell Vol. 2 (Prospect Park) #199, 1,675 sold

Not surprisingly, this pops up again with a 10% boost.

 

Silent Planet, The Night God Slept (Solid State) 1,700 sold

This avoids a second week drop in favor of a monster boost.

 

Amaranthe, Massive Addictive (Spinefarm) 650 sold

A drop of 26%.

 

Revocation, Deathless (Metal Blade) 430 sold

A slight boost of 5%.

 

Sanctuary, The Year The Sun Died (Century Media) 410 sold

A 32% drop to where the sun don’t shine.

 

King 810, Memoirs of a Murderer (Roadrunner) 370 sold

A 26% boost is killer.

 

Crobot, Something Supernatural (Wind-Up) 350 sold

A 35% drop is not so super.

 

Glass Cloud, Perfect War Forever (Equal Vision) 340 sold

A boost from last week is followed by a 40% drop.

 

Texas Hippie Coalition, Ride On (10 Spot) 340 sold

What are you supposed to ride on? That’s up to your imagination.

 

Sister Sin, Black Lotus (Victory) 320 sold

A 25% drop. Sinful.

 

Rings of Saturn, Lugan Ki En (Unique Leader) 310 sold

A 29% drop.