Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
Out of the five hard rock/metal releases to debut on the charts this week, the top release comes from alt rock legends Jane’s Addiction. Though their fourth studio album The Great Escape Artist (really, it’s only their fourth!) cracks the top fifteen in its first week, it also sells considerably less than 2003’s Strays (which sold around 110,500 copies in its first week and debuted at #4).
However, The Great Escape Artist’s first week is a major success for Perry Farrell and Dave Navarro for many reasons. First, need we remind you how much has changed since 2003? Almost no one sells as many copies of an album as they did eight years ago. And on top of that, it hasn’t exactly been easy for Jane’s Addiction leading up to the album’s release. Since reuniting in 2008, the band parted ways with original bassist Eric Avery, was joined by Guns N’ Roses/Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan, and then parted ways with McKagan after only 6 months. So for all the crap they’ve gone through to make The Great Escape (which TV On The Radio guitarist Dave Sitek played bass on), Jane’s Addiction should be pleased with their first week sales.
Notable Debuts:
Jane’s Addiction, The Great Escape Artist (Capitol) #12, 23,540 sold
While TV On The Radio guitarist Dave Sitek played bass on most of the album, Chris Chaney (who appeared on Strays) has returned as the band’s touring bassist. On another note, what’s up with that album cover?
Puscifer, Conditions of My Parole (Puscifer Entertainment) #26, 12,110 sold
The sophomore album from Maynard James Keenan’s (Tool, A Perfect Circle) other side project sells slightly less than 2007’s “V” Is For Vagina (which sold around 27,000 copies in its first week, debuting at #25). Guess the weird teaser videos only helped a little bit. Although, the new video for the album’s title track is pretty…interesting.
Iced Earth, Dystopia (Century Media) #65, 6,120 sold
The power metal group’s tenth studio album, and first with new singer Stu Block (Into Eternity), is also the band highest ranking U.S. debut to date.
Insomnium, One for Sorrow (Century Media) 1,000 sold
The Finnish death metal group may not have a huge U.S. following, but their solid first week sales prove that they do have a loyal fan base in the States.
Evile, Five Serpent’s Teeth (Earache) 680 sold
A solid first week for the U.K. thrash band’s third album, and first without bassist Michael Alexander (who passed away in 2009).
Notable Sales:
Evanescence, Evanescence (Wind-Up) #4, 39,630 sold
Last week’s number 1 album remains in the top 4, despite experiencing a 69% decrease. Still pretty impressive considering it’s been five years since Amy Lee and co. released their last album, The Open Door.
Five Finger Death Punch, American Capitalist (Prospect Park) #9, 29,200 sold
Despite a 69% decrease in their second week, FFDP remain in the top 10. This shows that the band’s third album has potential to last as long on the charts as 2009’s War Is The Answer (which lasted 92 weeks on the charts). And their current tour with Hatebreed, All That Remains, and Rains (who replaced Rev Theory on the bill) will likely help sales out as well.
Chickenfoot, Chickenfoot III (eOne) #74, 5,360 sold
Another 19 spots down the charts for this supergroup in their fourth week. Luckily, though, their albums sales are still pretty solid, meaning Sammy Hagar doesn’t need to rely on a management job to earn a living.
Staind, Staind (Atlantic) #79, 4,750 sold
The post-nu metal group almost get knocked out of the top 80 in their sixth week on the charts.
Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA) #99, 3,980 sold
Are you one of the 597,150 who doesn’t own this album? Well now you can get it on sale for $7.99 via iTunes. Unfortunately, that won’t come with a one inch square of analog tape like the physical version does.
Mastodon, The Hunter (Reprise) #102, 3,930 sold
A 28% decrease in sales is enough to kick Mastodon out of the top 100 in their fourth week. Hopefully their tour with The Dillinger Escape Plan and Red Fang, which kicked off yesterday in Austin, TX, will help boost sales. And 58,000 sold so far is pretty solid.
Anthrax, Worship Music (Megaforce) #145, 2,860 sold
First Joey Belladonna gets knocked down by a security guard, then Metallica’s Kirk Hammett joins them onstage. Talk about a crazy weekend for Anthrax.
Primus, Green Naugahyde (ATO) #166, 2,530 sold
Check out video of the funk/prog rockers performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! earlier this week.
Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare (Warner Bros.) #169, 2,490 sold
In 65 weeks, A7X have sold 607,687 copies of their latest album.
Hollywood Undead, American Tragedy (A&M/Octone) #187, 2,220 sold
Could the fact that this album is only $7.99 on Amazon really be the reason why it’s still on the charts after 29 weeks?
William Shatner, Seeking Major Tom (Cleopatra) 1,500 sold
Captain Kirk’s classic rock cover album gets kicked out of the top 200 with a 60% decrease in sales. Guess the music video for his “Bohemian Rhapsody” cover didn’t win him any new fans.
Skeletonwitch, Forever Abomination (Prosthetic) 1,020 sold
A 69% decrease also kicks the thrash/black metal group’s fourth album out of the top 200 in their second week. Hopefully their upcoming tour with Chimaira and Unearth will help sales out. On a side note, we thought they kicked ass at Metal Sucks, 1000 Knives and Metal Injection’s CMJ show.
Volbeat, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (Universal) 940 sold
The Danish garage metallers experience a decent 10% increase.
La Dispute, Wildlife (No Sleep) 590 sold
Another 22% decrease in sales for the post hardcore band.
Wednesday 13, Calling All Corpses (Wednesday 13, LLC) 570 sold
The Muderdolls frontman’s fourth solo album experiences a 55% decrease in sales in its second week.
Jeffrey Nothing, The New Psychodalia (Suburban Noize) 550 sold
Looks like there were still a few Mushroomhead fans who hadn’t picked up the frontman’s first solo album last week.
Charred Walls of the Damned, Cold Winds on Timeless Days (Metal Blade) 520 sold
The sophomore album from the former Death drummer/ Howard Stern personality’s power metal group (also featuring Tim “Ripper” Owens) takes a pretty big hit in its second week with a 65% decrease in sales. On a side note, check out which cheesy Halloween films Richard Christy chose as his Top 5 favorites.
Wolves in the Throne Room, Celestial Lineage (Southern Lord) 470 sold
This black metal group has been selling roughly the same amount of copies now for the past six weeks.
Threat Signal, Threat Signal (Nuclear Blast) 340 sold
The Canadian death metal group experiences a 70% decrease in their second week on the charts.
Saxon, Call to Arms (EMI) 330 sold
Another 21% decrease for the NWOBHM legend bring their time on the charts closer to an end.
Warbringer, Worlds Torn Asunder (Century Media) 310 sold
And another 36% decrease isn’t looking to good for the thrash revival band either.
