Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
Though seven metal/hard rock related releases made their debut this week, it’s Black Label Society’s The Song Remains Not The Same that ranks the highest at #39. Though it debuted selling less than 12,000, it still serves as a strong first week considering that BLS’ latest release includes four unplugged versions of songs from last year’s Order Of The Black in addition to songs recorded during that album’s sessions. In other words, Zakk Wylde and company were able to get a top 40 debut with what’s essentially a companion piece to their most recent album. With albums sales remaining in the toilet for yet another week, this is pretty impressive. It also further shows how BLS’ following has only gained stronger over the years.
Notable Debuts:
Black Label Society, The Song Remains Not the Same (eOne) #39, 11,700 sold
It was just this past August when BLS’ Order Of The Black ranked in at #4 with only 33,400 copies sold (great for BLS, but a sad sign for the industry).
Sleeping With Sirens, Let’s Cheers to This (Rise) #74, 6,200 sold
The post hardcore group’s sophomore album marks their debut in the top 200.
Anvil, Juggernaut of Justice (The End) 1,600 sold
Though it’s the best sales the Canadian metal elders have seen in a long time, we still would’ve thought that the popularity they received from Anvil! The Story Of Anvil would’ve improved sales more. Maybe their upcoming U.S. Summer dates will help…?
Hate Eternal, Phoenix Amongst the Ashes (Metal Blade) 1,400 sold
The death metal legends’ first album in three years has a solid first week.
Jesu, Ascension (Caldo Verde) 980 sold
Considering that it was just six months ago that they re-released the Heart Ache EP, the band’s third full length album (and first via Caldo Verde) has a solid first week.
Zombi, Escape Velocity (Relapse) 750 sold
Not a bad first week at all for a release from a progressive instrumental duo.
Novembers Doom, Aphotic (The End) 480 sold
Are these elder death metallers doomed to fade away from the charts for good? Looking at their first week sales… probably.
Notable Sales:
Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA) #16, 20,020 sold
Another 26% decrease for the band in their fifth week on the charts.
Sixx:A.M., This is Gonna Hurt (Eleven Seven) #48, 9,520 sold
A 68% decrease for Nikki Sixx’s other band in their second week on the charts. Looks like they might want to reconsider touring.
Hollywood Undead, American Tragedy (A&M/Octone) #55, 8,250 sold
The rapcore group only drops down the charts by one spot despite the 15% decrease in sales.
Kid Rock, Born Free (Atlantic) #69, 6,650 sold
With another major drop down the charts, it looks like Kid Rock’s reign on the charts is coming close to ending. Although, being able to remain in the top 200 (let alone top 100) for 26 weeks is definitely an accomplishment many bands haven’t been able to achieve.
Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare (Warner Bros.) #115, 4,030 sold
In the same vein as Kid Rock, Avenged Sevenfold has lasted in the top 200 for 42 weeks now.
Five Finger Death Punch, War is the Answer (Prospect Park) #124, 3,680 sold
Then again, both Kid Rock and A7X’s reign seem weak compared to FFDP, whose album has been on the charts for 86 weeks now. DAMN!
Asking Alexandria, Reckless and Relentless (Sumerian) # 159, 2,940 sold
Another 18% sees them coming closer to falling off the top 200 after a six week run.
Linkin Park, A Thousand Suns (Warner Bros.) #160, 2,930 sold
After 35 weeks, the one-time rap kings are slowly falling off the charts.
Silverstein, Rescue (Hopeless) #170, 2,760 sold
The post hardcore group’s 23% decrease isn’t enough to kick them out of the top 170.
Disturbed, Asylum (Reprise) #181, 2,650 sold
A 12% decrease for the band in their 37th week sees them only 19 spots away from falling off the charts.
Volbeat, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (Universal) 1,070 sold
Still might be considerably less than what they are selling in most parts of the world, but an 18% increase is a nice improvement for the Danish garage metallers nonetheless.
Texas in July, One Reality (Equal Vision) 830 sold
Another 30% decrease for the post hardcore group in their third week on the charts.
Art Of Dying, Vices And Virtures (Reprise/Intoxication) 760 sold
Roughly around the same place for these Canadian hard rockers.
Memphis May Fire, The Hollow (Rise) 700 sold
Following similar suit as Texas In July, this Southern post hardcore band experiences a 22% decrease in the third week.
Leaves’ Eyes, Meredead (Napalm) 990 sold
A 49% decrease for the symphonic metal group in their second week on the charts.
Red Fang, Murder the Mountains (Relapse) 500 sold
An 18% decrease for the band in their fifth week on the charts. At least they have an awesome new video!
