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

Confession time: I, like many other fine gentlemen wanting to make their Valentines happy, ended up having to go to the movies last weekend to see Fifty Shades of Grey. Surprisingly, it was not the worst movie I’ve ever seen. I’m just glad I didn’t have to read the damn thing. The best thing to come out of that movie? Probably the soundtrack, which debuted at number two on the charts. Honestly, that Annie Lennox cover of “I Put A Spell On You” is pretty damn good. I’m not sure where I was going with this but the moral of the story is always hope that The Rolling Stones are on the movie soundtrack because it’ll make it a bit better. Unless you don’t like ’em, in which case you’re on you’re own. By the way, we have some metal debuts for ya.

 

Notable Debuts: 

Stick To Your Guns, Disobedient (Sumerian) #51, 7,825 sold

The band’s fifth album is out, bringing the hardcore act a solid debut.

 

Blacklisted, When People Grow, People Go (Deathwish) 1,275 sold

This Philly hardcore band gets a good start on the charts.

 

Marduk, Frontschwein (Century Media) 1,150 sold

It’s lucky album thirteen for these black metal vets.

 

Feed Her To The Sharks, Fortitude (Victory) 890 sold

The third album from this Australian act whose name makes me think of Piranha 3D.

 

Exhumed, Gore Metal: A Necrospective (Relapse) 600 sold

A rerecording of the band’s 1998 debut album packaged with the original album.

 

Call of the Void, Ageless (Relapse) 280 sold

The second album from this crusty, sludgy, hardcore act.

 

 

Notable Sales:

AC/DC, Rock or Bust (Columbia) #26, 14,600 sold

This gets a nice post-Grammy boost of 63%.

 

Marilyn Manson, The Pale Emperor (Loma Vista) #55, 7,275 sold

A certain other pale emperor has some thoughts on Manson’s new album.

 

Slipknot, .5: The Grey Chapter (Roadrunner) #82, 4,750 sold

A 14% boost is greyt.

 

Foo Fighters, Sonic Highways (RCA) #85, 4,500 sold

A way high boost of 20%.

 

Papa Roach, F.E.A.R. (Eleven Seven) #96, 3,925 sold

A drop of 41% after selling over 35,000.

 

In This Moment, Black Widow (Atlantic) #154, 2,425 sold

A 20% boost is killer.

 

I Prevail, Heart Vs. Mind (Self-Released) #174, 2,075 sold

According to the band’s Facebook, they have no bass player. Even Taylor Swift has a bass player.

 

Godsmack, 1000hp (Universal Republic) #182, 1,950 sold

A 39% boost brings this back up after dropping off last week.

 

The Pretty Reckless, Going To Hell (Razor & Tie) #183, 1,950 sold

A 20% boost? Pretty nice.

 

Blind Guardian, Beyond The Red Mirror (Nuclear Blast) #189, 1,875 sold

A 63% drop in week two.

 

Avenged Sevenfold, Hail To The King (Warner Bros.) #196, 1,800 sold

This has nearly sold 565,000 copies.

 

Five Finger Death Punch, The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell Vol. 2 (Prospect Park) #200, 1,700 sold

And I was beginning to fear I’d never see this album on here again.

 

Napalm Death, Apex Predator – Easy Meat (Century Media) 825 sold

A 37% drop ain’t easy.

 

Amaranthe, Massive Addictive (Spinefarm) 400 sold

This is still picking up sales with a 26% boost.

 

Stars In Stereo, Leave Your Mark (Hundred Handed) 320 sold

The band’s tour with Bush is bringing in some numbers.

 

Venom, From The Very Depths (Spinefarm) 300 sold

This sadly is heading into the depths.

 

Erra, Moment of Clarity (Sumerian) 245 sold

The band’s current tour brings this EP back up.