By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts 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.
And the top selling metal artist this past week is … The Scorpions? Really?! Adding more to the shock is the fact that the band’s last album before retiring placed as high as #23. Wow! We’re impressed, especially since we were surprised to hear that they were even still around. This marks their highest placement on the Billboard charts since … before Zach was born! Their last album, Humanity: Hour 1, debuted at #63 in August of 2007, so congrats to Klaus Meine and the rest of them. This week also saw releases from The Dillinger Escape Plan and Triptykon. Lair of the Minotaur topped FMQB’s most added, while Roadrunner’s God Of War: Blood and Metal EP took control over FMQB’s top ten.
Notable Debuts:
The Scorpions, Sting In The Tail (Sony BMG) #23 18,500 sold
Guess the buzz from announcing their retirement really got the album attention. Because I can guarantee you that their duet with ex-Nightwish singer Tara Turunen isn’t the reason for it’s great first week sales.
The Dillinger Escape Plan, Option Paralysis (Party Smasher Inc., Season Of Mist) #76 7,130 sold
Amazing first week. The first album released on the band’s own label Party Smasher Inc. debuts 100 68 slots higher than Ire Works, their last album.
Triptykon, Eparistera Daimones (Century Media) 1,300 sold
Tom G. Fischer’s new project following Celtic Frost has a modest debut.
Notable Sales:
Them Crooked Vultures, Them Crooked Vultures
We forgot to mention in last weeks edition that Them Crooked Vultures hit #36, experiencing a 144% increase in sales. This week though, they are back below the top 100, experiencing a 63% decrease from last week.
Alice In Chains, Black Gives Way To Blue (Virgin) #111 4,600 sold
A minor decrease from last week, but still selling strong.
Rob Zombie, Hellbilly Deluxe 2: (Loud and Proud/Roadrunner) #134 3,900 sold
Slowly starting to slip, but still hanging in the top 200.
Slipknot, All Hope is Gone (Roadrunner) #141 3,500 sold
Still selling the same amount as last week.
Five Finger Death Punch, War Is The Answer
At this point, it shouldn’t be surprising that this album continues to sell.
Motley Crue, Greatest Hits (Motley Records) #148 3,370 sold
The fact that this album, on the other hand, is still selling should be surprising.
Mudvayne, Mudvayne (Epic) #179 2,700 sold
They have done no touring behind this album, and yet it is still selling.
Demon Hunter, World Is A Thorn (Solid State) #194 2,460 sold
Just made enough to stay in the top 200, but dropping fast after the evangelical bounce.
Armored Saint, La Raza (Metal Blade Records) 990 sold
50% decrease from last week, but sadly that was expected. Maybe this might persuade John Bush to record with that other band he’s known for.
We Came As Romans, To Plant A Seed (Equal Vision) 950 sold
Made it back for another week.
Carnifex, Hell Chose Me (Victory) 800 sold
Just released a new video for the title track, so expect to see these guys hang around a little longer.
Overkill, Ironbound (E1) 760 sold
24% decrease, but the old thrashers are still hanging tough.
Bring Me The Horizon, Suicide Season
Still selling week after week.
Dark Tranquillity, We Are The Void (Century) 540 sold
Don’t think we can blame the misspelling of “tranquility” any more.
Eluveitie, Everything Remains (Nuclear Blast) 530 sold
33% decrease from last week, but that’s still better than any other pagan metal band!
Attack Attack!, Someday Came Suddenly (Rise) 530 sold
Still? Really?
Immolation, Majesty and Decay (Nuclear Blast) 430 sold
Pretty much the same place they were last week.
Fozzy, Chasing the Grail (Riot Entertainment) 430 sold
And I thought this album would last as long on the charts as Chris Jericho does in the ring (that’s right, I made a wrestling pun. Deal with it!).
FMQB Most Added:
1. Lair of the Minotaur, Evil Power (Grind House)
2. Black Breath, Heavy Breathing (Southern Lord)
3. Jon Oliva’s Pain, Festival (AFM Records)
4. Cancer Bats, “Sabotage” single (Good Fight Entertainment)
5. Hundredth, When Will We Surrender (Mediaskare)
FMQB Top Ten:
1. Various, God Of War EP (Roadrunner)
2. The Dillinger Escape Plan, Option Paralysis (Party Smasher Inc./Season Of Mist)
3. High On Fire, Snakes For The Divine (E1)
4. Overkill, Ironbound (E1)
5. Fear Factory, Mechanize (Candlelight)
6. Living Sacrifice, The Infinite Order (Solid State)
7. The Empire Shall Fall , Awaken (Angle Side Side)
8. Demon Hunter, World Is A Thorn (Solid State)
9. Acrassicauda, Only The Dead See The End Of The War (Vice Records)
10. Fozzy, Chasing The Grail (Riot Entertainment)
Also written by Zach Shaw
