Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top sellers of the week as well as what’s getting played at Metal radio courtesy of radio trade magazine FMQB, whose metal panel consists of about 80 college and commercial stations that have metal shows, as well as SiriusXM, Music Choice, and more.
If there’s one thing to be learned from this week’s chart, it’s that Nu-Metal isn’t dead. At least it’s not when Dope debuts in the top 100 and Static-X is most added at metal radio. The Gods (Lamb of and Forbid) continue to do well, and Static-X and Chimaira invade FMQB’s Top Ten.
Notable Debuts:
Chris Cornell, Scream (Interscope) Debut #10, 26,000 copies sold
Remember when Soundgarden was an awesome band that bridged metal and alternative? Neither does Chris. This Timbaland-produced top 40 record did get him back in the top ten, though. Everyone that has Badmotorfinger should listen to “Jesus Christ Pose,” stat.
Dope, No Regrets (Koch) Debut #88, 6,200 copies sold
Are fans of this band called Dopeheads? Dope Addicts? You’ve gotta hand it to them for a respectable first week showing.
The Answer, Everyday Demons (The End) 1,400 copies sold
AC/DC’s fall tour opener release their first full-length.
The Number Twelve Looks Like You, Worse Than Alone (Eyeball) 1,150 copies sold
Good first week for the band, whose new album is their most accessible yet.
Death, For the Whole World to See (Drag City) 800 copies sold
No, not that Death. This is a black Detroit punk trio whose early ’70s work was just rereleased and got a benefit from a New York Times article.
The Agonist, Lullabies for Dormant Mind (Century Media) 600 copies sold
Candian female-fronted band has a decent week.
Notable Sales:
Lamb of God, Wrath (Epic) #34, 13,100 copies sold
Three weeks in and over 100,000 sold. Awesome!
Hollywood Undead, Swan Songs (Octone) #46, 10,900 copies sold
This’ll cross 300,000 sold in two weeks. Gimmicky or not, you’ve gotta give the band some credit.
Metallica, Death Magnetic (Warner Bros.) #67, 7,600 copies sold
If they actually play SXSW, get ready for lots of hype. The video game looks awesome.
AC/DC, Black Ice (Columbia) #84, 6,500 copies sold
The Rock N Roll Train keeps chugging along.
Slipknot, All Hope is Gone (Roadrunner), #89, 6,100 copies sold.
Almost three quarters of the way to platinum.
Disturbed, Inside the Fire (Reprise) 6,100 copies sold.
David Draiman and friends inch towards platinum.
Mudvayne, The New Game (Epic) #170, 3,100 copies sold
The band’s sold about 175,000 copies of their latest.
Bring Me The Horizon, Suicide Season (Epitaph) 1,800 copies sold
Another consecutive week of sales increases for BMTH.
God Forbid, Earthsblood (Century Media) 1,700 copies sold
The Forbids will have sold 10,000 copies by this time next week.
Revolting Cocks, Sex-O Olympic-O (Megaforce) 590 copies sold
Considering he’s “retired,” Al Jourgensen sure is keeping busy.
FMQB Most Added
1. Static-X, Cult of Static (Reprise)
2. Oceano, Depths sampler (Earache)
3. Various Artists, Heavy Metal Killers sampler (Earache)
4. Inevitable End, The Severed Inception (Relapse)
5. Hammerfall, “No Sacrifice, No Victory” (Nuclear Blast)
FMQB Top Ten Albums
1. Lamb of God, Wrath (Epic)
2. Sepultura, A-Lex (SPV)
3. God Forbid, Earthsblood (Century Media)
4. Kreator, Hordes of Chaos (SPV)
5. Mastodon, “Divinations” single (Reprise)
6. Cannibal Corpse, Eviscaration Plague (Metal Blade)
7. Static-X, Cult of Static (Reprise)
8. Napalm Death, Time Waits for No Slave (Century Media)
9. Lazarus A.D., The Onslaught (Metal Blade)
10. Chimaira, “Secrets of the Dead” single (Ferret Music)
