Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
With five metal/hard rock releases hitting the charts (four of which make it into the top 200), the highest ranking debut of the week comes from Blessthefall. Just one spot away from the top 30, the band’s third album Awakening is also their highest ranking debut to date. However, it is interesting to note that Awakening only sold around 300 copies more than 2009’s Witness (which sold around 11,000 copies and debuted at number 56). While its impressive for any band to be able to sell around the same amount they did two years ago, it still shows how album sales have dramatically decreased in such a short time frame.
Notable Debuts:
Blessthefall, Awakening (Fearless) #31, 11,290 sold
The post-hardcore group’s third album is also the first without founding guitarist Mike Frisby.
Misfits, The Devil’s Rain (Misfits) #66, 5,960 sold
The horror punk legends’ first full length album in eight years (and first of original material in twelve years) is also their highest ranking debut to date.
Wayne Static, Pighammer (Dirthouse) #90, 4,750 sold
Though not exactly matching the same success as his old band, Wayne Static’s debut solo album has a strong first week on the charts.
La Dispute, Wildlife (No Sleep) #135, 3,140 sold
There’s no dispute that the post-hardcore band’s sophomore album is also their highest ranking album to date.
The Browning, Burn This World (Earache) 730 sold
A solid first week for the death metal/electronica band.
Notable Sales:
Chickenfoot, Chickenfoot III (eOne) #28, 11,980 sold
A 72% decrease isn’t enough to kick this supergroup out of the top 30 in their second week on the charts.
Mastodon, The Hunter (Reprise) #41, 9,370 sold
After debuting in the top 10, the group’s fifth studio album gets kicked out of the top 40 with a 76% decrease. We’d imagine, though, that their performance on The Late Show helped it from being even more.
Staind, Staind (Atlantic) #57, 6,880 sold
Another 28% decrease in sales for the post-nu metal band, but they’ve sold nearly 80,000 in a month.
Machine Head, Unto the Locust (Roadrunner) #92, 4,580 sold
After debuting right outside the top 20 last week, Machine Head drop 70 spots down the charts with a 73% decrease in sales.
Anthrax, Worship Music (Megaforce) #103, 4,190 sold
The thrash legends drop 34 spots down the charts in their fourth week. Oh by the way, we just so happen to be giving away a copy of Worship Music that’s been signed by each member of Anthrax!
Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA) #110, 3,760 sold
Dave Grohl and co. slip off the top 100 after 26 weeks.
Primus, Green Naugahyde (ATO) #131, 3,250 sold
A 38% decrease finds the funk/prog rockers 43 spots down the charts from last week.
Dream Theater, A Dramatic Turn of Events (Roadrunner) #136, 3,120 sold
The prog metal kings experience another 30% decrease in sales, dropping down the charts by 32 spots. Somewhere, Mike Portnoy is blaming their decline on him not being in the band.
Opeth, Heritage (Roadrunner) #148, 2,940 sold
The Swedish band’s folky acoustic-ish album falls out of the top 100 in its third week.
The Devil Wears Prada, Dead Throne (Ferret) #150, 2,900 sold
Like slaying zombies while listening to The Devil Wears Prada? Then check out their new video game.
Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare (Warner Bros.) #151, 2,900 sold
Another Uproar Tour comes to an end this week (with the last date occurring on Friday, October 14, in California).
We Came as Romans, Understanding What We’ve Grown to Be (Equal Vision) #193, 2,270 sold
They may have came as Romans, but they’re close to leaving the top 200 after only four weeks.
Alice Cooper, Welcome 2 My Nightmare (Universal) #194, 2,260 sold
The shock rock king finds himself six spots away from exiting the top 200 for good. Out of curiosity, has anyone check out the Welcome To My Nightmare ride at Universal Studios?
Kid Rock, Born Free (Atlantic) #197, 2,250 sold
We’re not sure which is worst: being three spots away from leaving the top 200 after 47 weeks, or selling the exact same amount of copies as…
Hollywood Undead, American Tragedy (A&M/Octone) #197, 2,250 sold
…these guys.
Hell Or Highwater, Begin Again (Self-Released) 950 sold
An enormous 92% increase in sales for Atreyu drummer/co-vocalist Brandon Saller’s hard rock band. We’d like to believe that we helped out by streaming their song “Terrorized In The Night,” but we’re sure their stint on the Uproar Tour played more of a factor in the sales boost.
Volbeat, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (Universal) 840 sold
Seeing that this album has been charting for 47 weeks now, we wonder if it’ll still be around by the time Gigantour kicks off.
Warbringer, Worlds Torn Asunder (Century Media) 590 sold
A 70% decrease in sales for the thrash revival band in their second week on the charts.
Saxon, Call to Arms (EMI) 750 sold
The NWOBHM legend’s 19th studio experiences a 37% decrease in sales. Not too bad considering that the album had been available in Europe since June.
Wolves in the Throne Room, Celestial Lineage (Southern Lord) 460 sold
Another 32% decrease for the black metal group.
