EDIT 10/22/20: I’ve added Corey Taylor to the list because I guess he’s a big deal or something.
Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
The Symbol Remains is Blue Öyster Cult’s first studio album in 19 years. When that album, Curse of the Hidden Mirror, came out, it was June 2001. I was just finishing up fourth grade and wouldn’t know who Blue Öyster Cult were for another 4 years when I heard “Godzilla” while watching the acclaimed KISS-centric comedy Detroit Rock City. If that makes you feel old, take comfort knowing that when I reference Backstreet Boys of NSYNC at work some coworkers tell me that was before their time. Oof.
Notable Debuts:
Blue yster Cult, The Symbol Remains (Frontier)Debut #10
6,175 sold
Following a string of re-releases and live albums, Blue Öyster Cult releases its fifteenth studio album and first since 2001.
Five Finger Death Punch, A Decade Of Destruction, Volume 2 (Prospect Park)Debut #15
4,500 sold
FFDP’s second compilation album sold almost 3 times less than its predecessor.
Inferi, Of Sunless Realms (The Artisan Era)Debut #122
700 sold
This EP is a follow-up to the band’s studio album last year.
Necrophobic, Dawn Of The Damned (Century Media)Debut #136
630 sold
This is the band’s ninth studio album.
Skáld, Vikings Memories(Decca)Debut #154
530 sold
More folk than metal, but it does concern vikings. This is the band’ second album.
Venom Prison, Primeval (Prothetic)Debut #171
470 sold
This compilation features a re-recorded of the band’s first two EP’s as well as some new material.
Hellripper, The Affair of the Poisons(Peaceville)Debut #178
450 sold
This is he second album from the one-man black/speed metal band.
The Unguided, Father Shadow (Napalm Records)270 sold
This is the band’s fifth studio album.
Gargoyl, 
Greg Puciato, Child Soldier: Creator of God (Federal Prisoner)170 sold
This is Puciato’s debut solo album.
Sinner’s Blood, 
Deftones, 
Queen + Adam Lambert, Live Around The World(Hollywood)#18 (from 12)
3,900 sold
A 66% second week drop.
Metallica & The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, A 22% drop.
Corey Taylor, CMFT (Roadrunner)#42 (from 9)
1,775 sold
This debuted last week at #9 with 13,600 sold but I overlooked it because I’m a dope.
Marilyn Manson, 
Pearl Jam, This originally came out for Record Store Day of April last year and has received a new pressing.
DevilDriver, 
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, A 12% drop with the same chart position as last week.
Ozzy Osbourne, A 14% drop with over 140,000 sold.
Five Finger Death Punch, A 13% drop. Been a while since we had two FFDP albums on the charts simultaneously.
Amaranthe, Manifest(Nuclear Blast)#146 (from 37)
560 sold
A 78% drop in week two.
Tool, A 9% boost.
Stryper, Even The Devil Believes(Frontiers)#177 (from 177)
460 sold
A 8% drop with the same chart position.
Dance Gavin Dance, Afterburner (Rise)#187 (re-entry)
430 sold
A 63% boost back up.
Mastodon, Medium Rarities (Reprise)#192 (from 192)
420 sold
A 2% drop with the same position as last week.
SUMAC, May You Be Held (Thrill Jockey)380 sold
A second week drop of 80%.
Mrs. Piss, Self-Surgery (Sergeant House)350 sold
This is boosted back up again after dropping last week.
Anaal Nathrakh, 
Six Feet Under, 
The Hu, 
Zakk Sabbath, Vertigo (Magnetic Eye)250 sold
A 28% drop.
Kataklysm, Unconquered(Nuclear Blast)
230 sold
A 42% drop.
All Them Witches, 
Isengard, Vårjevndøgn (Peaceville)200 sold
A 9% boost.
Unleash The Archers, A 14% drop.
Movements, No Good Left To Give(Fearless)170 sold
A 35% drop.
A 72% drop.
Tallah, 
Heathen, 
Powerwolf, The Best of the Blessed (Napalm)140 sold
A whopping 338% boost back up.
Jinjer, Macro (Napalm)130 sold
