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

You may have heard of something called the “loudness war”, a term applied to albums that are mixed in a manner to make it sound…well, louder. This isn’t exactly a new thing, but it’s worth bringing up in the wake of our top debut this week: Rush’s Vapor Trails Remixed. The album was criticized when it came out in 2002 for its mixing and sound quality and so has been included among other albums (such as Metallica’s Death Magnetic) for being part of this “loudness war”. Now, 11 years later, we have a remixed version of the album. Will other “offenders” seek similar treatments? Mull that over while you examine this week’s records sales.

Notable Debuts:

Rush, Vapor Trails Remixed (Atlantic) #35, 9,775 sold

This re-release of the band’s 2002 album is our top debut this week. The original version was criticized for sounding overly compressed.

 

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Unvarnished (Blackheart) #47, 7,500 sold

The tenth studio album from Joan Jett is her first since 2006.

 

Soulfly, Savages (Nuclear Blast) #83, 4,750 sold

Enslaved came out just last year, and now Max Cavalera and company have put out album number nine.

 

Scar The Martyr, Scar The Martyr (Roadrunner) #118, 3,300 sold

Joey Jordison’s side project gets its debut on the charts.

 

Within Temptation, Paradise (What About Us?) (Nuclear Blast) #165, 2,300 sold

This new EP has music from the band’s upcoming album and features Tarja Turunen.

 

Hank 3, A Fiendish Threat (Red Distribution) #180, 2,050 sold

Hank Williams III has two albums on the charts, but this is the one we’ll be keeping track of.

 

Fates Warning, Darkness In a Different Light (Inside Out) 1,800 sold

After 9 years, Fates Warning have finally released their 11th studio album which features the return of Frank Aresti and the debut of Bobby Jarzombek on drums.

 

Oceano, Incisions (Earache) 1,600 sold

Oceano releases its third studio album after rumors last year that the band would be breaking up.

 

Hearts & Hands, My Own Machine (Razor & Tie) 1,350 sold

Well, if you wanted a group with members of Chelsea Grin and Becoming Everest, have at it I guess.

 

The Browning, Hypernova (Earache) 1,300 sold

This is the second album from this unfortunately named band.

 

Broken Hope, Omen of Disease (Century Media) 1,050 sold

These death metallers return with their first album since 1999.

 

In Solitude, Sister (Metal Blade) 680 sold

This is the third album from this Swedish band.

 

Melt-Banana, Fetch (Azap) 340 sold

The Japanese noise rockers are back with album number seven.

 

Notable Sales: 

Avenged Sevenfold, Hail To The King (Warner Bros.) #17, 13,700 sold

This moved up on the charts, but had a 10% decrease this week.

 

Metallica, Through The Never (Blackened) #25, 11,800 sold

If you recognize the movie’s star Dane DeHaan, it’s because he starred in Chronicle last year and will play Harry Osbourne in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

 

Dream Theater, Dream Theater (Roadrunner) #38, 8,300 sold

“Enigma Machine” is the band’s first instrumental track since 2003’s Train of Thought.

 

Five Finger Death Punch, The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell Vol. 1 (Prospect Park) #55, 6,625 sold

At week 10, this has sold just under 255,000 in total.

 

Nine Inch Nails, Hesitation Marks (Columbia) #58, 6,450 sold

There’s also an “Audiophile Mastered Version” of this album.

 

Sammy Hagar, Sammy Hagar & Friends (Frontiers) #124, 3,150 sold

A second week drop of 79%.

 

A Skylit Drive, Rise (Tragic Hero) #134, 2,875 sold

Sales don’t rise much after a drop of 72%

 

Skillet, Rise (Atlantic), #131, 2,825 sold

Ah dammit, I already made a joke about an album titled Rise dropping in sales.

 

30 Seconds To Mars, Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams (Virgin) #144, 2,650 sold

A boost of 44% bumps this album up the charts.

 

Black Label Society, Unblackened (eOne) #154, 2,425 sold

In case you were ever wondering what a Zakk Wylde Halloween costume would look like, it’s something like this.

 

The Devil Wears Prada, 8:18 (Roadrunner) #169, 2,250 sold

The band will soon be on tour with The Ghost Inside, Volumes, and Texas In July.

 

Black Sabbath, 13 (Universal) #176, 2,100 sold

Sabbath get a small boost of 4% this week.

 

Volbeat, Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies (Universal/Republic) #177, 2,100 sold

“Lonesome Rider” features Sarah Blackwood from Walk Off The Earth a.k.a. the band that can afford only one guitar.

 

Asking Alexandria, From Death To Destiny (Sumerian) #193, 1,900 sold

It has a lower chart position, but it got a tiny 2% boost

 

Halestorm, The Strange Case Of… (Atlantic) #200, 1,800 sold

This is resting right at bottom of the Billboard 200 with nearly 285,000 sold.

 

Eyes Set To Kill, Masks (Century Media) 670 sold

A drop of 11%.

 

Tarja Turunen, Colours In The Dark (Eagle Rock) 520 sold

Tarja’s other appearance on the charts has dropped 54%.

 

Dangerkids, Collapse (Rise) 470 sold

A 35% sdrop eems rather dangerous.

 

Gemini Syndrome, Lux (Warner Bros.) 460 sold

So I’m not the only one who thinks that thinks that the singer looks like Gandalf?

 

Týr, Valkyrja (Metal Blade) 400 sold

The band care currently on tour with Finntroll in Europe.

 

Satyricon, Satyricon (Nuclear Blast) 370 sold

A 38% drop for these black metallers this week.

 

Windhand, Soma (Relapse) 360 sold

The wind might have been taken out of the sales on this one.