Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
Of course, the only artist that could dethrone Taylor Swift from the top of the charts is One Direction a.k.a. we really want you to like boy bands again. In addition, Christmas music has invaded the charts en masse even though there are radio stations that have been playing this stuff since before Halloween. But anyway, onto the metal. You’ve got the usual suspects from previous weeks, In This Moment making a monster debut, and a few bands popping up again like Issues (don’t know who they are? It’s okay). Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving Eve and stuff.
Notable Debuts:
In This Moment, Black Widow (Atlantic) #8, 36,175 sold
The band’s fifth studio album marks its best debut yet as it lands in the top 10.
Various Artists, Punk Goes Pop, Vol. 6 (Fearless) #18, 20,000 sold
This is the highest debut in this series of compilation albums thus far. If you’re familiar with them, you know that’s kind of sad. If you’re not, try and keep it that way.
The Ghost Inside, Dear Youth (Epitaph) #58 6,825 sold
The band’s fourth album is its biggest debut yet.
Whirr/Nothing, Split (Run For Cover) #199, 1,925 sold
We included Nothing’s debut album on the charts when it debuted, and now the band has released a split EP with Whirr.
Fugazi, First Demo (Dischord) 1,850 sold
Sure, they’ve been on hiatus since 2003, but they can still release stuff apparently. As the name suggests, this is a collection of demos.
Bloodbath, Grand Morbid Funeral (Peaceville) 1,500 sold
The band first album since 2008 and first to feature Nick Holmes of Paradise Lost on vocals is the band’s biggest debut to date (in the US that is).
XTRMST, XTRMST (Dim Mak) 1,200 sold
AFI’s Davey Havok wanted to make a straightedge hardcore band, and this is the result.
Defeat the Low, Nervous Smile (Rise) 430 sold
This band features Craig Ericson, the owner of Rise Records.
Sonata Arctica, Ecliptica Revisted (Nuclear Blast) 340 sold
For its 15th anniversary, Sonata Artica has re-recorded its debut album.
Threshold, For The Journey (Metalville) 270 sold
The UK prog metal band debuts its tenth studio album.
Notable Sales:
Foo Fighters, Sonic Highways (RCA) #2, 36,475 sold
Not surprisingly, this stays in the top 1o in the second week.
Slipknot, .5: The Grey Chapter (Roadrunner) #38, 10,275 sold
Five weeks in with just under 210,000 sold and with little sign of slowing down.
Machine Head, Bloodstone & Diamonds (Nuclear Blast) #94, 4,125 sold
A second week 77% drop, but they top our Metal Power Rankings.
Black Veil Brides, Black Veil Brides (Republic) #113, 3,375 sold
Remember the time Black Veil Brides were mistaken for women (besides the other likely numerous times)?
Godsmack, 1000hp (Universal Republic) #148, 2,525 sold
A tiny boost of 4%.
Disciple, Attack (Self-Released) #152, 2,450 sold
This keeps up the boosts with a 6% increase.
Primus, Primus & The Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble (ATO) #176, 2,200 sold
Oopma Loompa, doompaty doo, I’ve got a 4% drop for you.
Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, World On Fire (Dik Hayd) #186, 2,050 sold
At 10 weeks, this has sold over 60,000 copies.
Issues, Issues (Rise) #196, 1,950 sold
The band is on tour and also released a deluxe edition of its debut album, hence its return to the charts. It’s sold over 50,000 so far.
Antemasque, Antemasque (Nadie Sound) 610 sold
A 68% drop in week two.
Amaranthe, Massive Addictive (Spinefarm) 590 sold
A drop of 10%.
Silent Planet, The Night God Slept (Solid State) 550 sold
A 68% drop for this “sleeper” hit.
Texas Hippie Coalition, Ride On (10 Spot) 380 sold
Riding after a 9% boost.
Sanctuary, The Year The Sun Died (Century Media) 330 sold
Find sanctuary from a 20% drop.
King 810, Memoirs of a Murderer (Roadrunner) 320 sold
A 15% drop brings this closer to dying out.
Glass Cloud, Perfect War Forever (Equal Vision) 310 sold
Over 10,000 copies sold.
Rings of Saturn, Lugan Ki En (Unique Leader) 300 sold
A slight drop of 5% rings a bell.
Crobot, Something Supernatural (Wind-Up) 250 sold
Any Pokémon fans out there that think of Crobat when the see the band name? No? Just me? Okay.
