Welcome to Metal Power Rankings: Our weekly rankings take a number of factors into account: newsworthiness, record sales, internet buzz, word of mouth and overall importance in the genre. Ultimately, it’s subjective, but if a band generates enough buzz, they’ll wind up on the list. This week, Periphery continue to dominate, even though the Grammys did impact things a little bit.
1) Periphery (last week 1)
They may have seen a sizeable chart drop this week, but there’s no question that all eyes are on them right now as both halves of Juggernaut keep selling. Their sold-out show at Irving Plaza in NYC last night was a) awesome and b) continued proof that the band is helping to define this decade in metal.
2) Mastodon (re-entry)
No offense Dio or Tenacious D, but they were the real Grammy winners, even if CBS couldn’t spell their name right. Plus, Brent is keeping busy with Danny Carey in The Legend of the Seagullmen.
3) AC/DC (last week 6)
Grammy bump!
4) Tenacious D (debut)
Hey, the Grammys say they’re #1, and the Grammys get metal! Right? Right?? NOT. But all the outrage over a comedy act winning a metal award did get everyone talking about Tenacious D again, and since the self-titled album introduced a ton of kids to Dio back in the day, there’s something vaguely poetic about them being in this otherwise-awkward winner’s circle with a Dio cover. We say “vaguely” because we’re still pissed.
5) Killswitch Engage (re-entry)
Adam D’s ridiculously successful appearance on The Price Is Right went viral this week, including a death growl on live daytime television. You’re welcome, America!
6) Faith No More (last week 3)
“Motherfucker” is a monster, “Superhero” is coming soon, and the announcement of their album release in May has a lot of 30-somethings really psyched.
7) Marilyn Manson (last week 2)
His successful tour wraps up this week.
8) Anthrax (no change)
Scott Ian is making the press rounds for Motor Sister, and the band played their first live show not in a basement earlier this week.
9) Machine Head (last week 7)
Their tour continues.
10) Slayer (last week 9)
It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything about the new Slayer album, but the anticipation is still enough to keep them top ten.
11) Blind Guardian (last week 15)
A monster week for Blind Guardian gives them their best first week ever.
12) Five Finger Death Punch (last week 10)
People keep buying FFDP records for some reason.
13) 36 Crazyfists (last week 14)
The Alaskan metalcore band’s album release is getting closer, not to mention Snipe City continues to pick up fans.
14) Metallica (last week 11)
Wonder what Robert Trujillo’s new project has to do with the progress (or lack!) of the new Metallica album?
15) Napalm Death (last week 5)
If you haven’t read our entertaining interview with Barney Greenway yet, you probably should.
Falling off : Byzantine, In Flames
