Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
As I predicted last week, Avenged Sevenfold had a strong enough second week that they remained in the top 10, and so are still the best-selling metal album on the charts. Remember how Avenged were one of the most hated bands in the metal community? Nowadays they still seem divisive but there’s less overall scorn being thrown into their direction. Maybe that’s because we have bands like Attila, who aren’t exactly loved and cherished by metalheads six albums into their career. But, like many other popular bands, that hasn’t stopped the band from getting more and more popular, especially among people who don’t normally listen to metal bands. So here they are, just below the top 10 mark on the charts. Does that rustle your jimmies? You can let us know, just be nice to your keyboard.
Notable Debuts:
Attila, Chaos (Sharptone)
Debut #11
13,525 sold
This is the band’s highest charting album yet, though it didn’t sell as much as its predecessor.
Wolves at the Gate, Types & Shadows (Solid State)
Debut #87
2,675 sold
The band’s third album charts high than its predecessor, but doesn’t sell quite as much.
Dark Tranquillity, Atoma (Century Media)
Debut #111
2,225 sold
The band’s eleventh album charted higher than its 2013 predecessor.
Glenn Hughes, Resonate (Frontiers)
Debut #142
1,700 sold
This is Glenn Hughes’ first solo album since 2008.
Hammerfall, Built to Last (Napalm)
Debut #175
1,350 sold
The band’s tenth album didn’t have quiet as good a debut as its previous album.
Vader, The Empire (Nuclear Blast)
1,125 sold
Vader’s eleventh album sold a bit more than its predecessor.
Starkill, Shadow Sleep (Prosthetic)
610 sold
This is the band’s third album and first on Prosthetic.
Civil War, The Last Full Measure (Napalm)
290 sold
The third album from a band composed of ex-Sabaton members.
Notable Sales:
Avenged Sevenfold, The Stage (Capitol)
#8 (from 3)
16,475 sold
After a second week drop of 77%, this is still sitting in the top 10. And at 88,000 sold, it’s already the 157th-biggest seller of 2016 in just two weeks.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra, The Ghosts of Christmas Eve (Rhino Atlantic)
#24 (from 38)
7,350 sold
Santa brought a boost of 9%.
Korn, The Serenity of Suffering (Roadrunner)
#35 (from 16)
5,750 sold
A 47% drop, but it has sold over 70,000.
Dope, Blood Money Part 1 (eOne)
#39 (from 11)
4,925 sold
This has a better second week than most with only a 67% drop. It’s pretty amazing that these guys have that many fans that are still into the band.
Testament, Brotherhood of the Snake (Nuclear Blast)
#61 (from 9)
3,875 sold
A 77% drop in week two. Hisssssss.
The Pretty Reckless, Who You Selling For (Razor & Tie)
#85 (from 60)
2,725 sold
A 36% drop ain’t pretty and answers the album title’s question, kind of.
Skillet, Unleashed (Atlantic)
#94 (from 110)
2,575 sold
A 10% boost.
I Prevail, Lifelines (Fearless)
#109 (from 86)
2,250 sold
This might need a lifeline after a 23% drop.
Five Finger Death Punch, Got Your Six (Prospect Park)
#129 (from 119)
2,050 sold
A tiny 1% boost.
Alter Bridge, The Last Hero (Self-released)
#173 (from 146)
1,375 sold
Another 24% drop.
Shinedown, Threat To Survival (Atlantic)
#191 (from 183)
1,250 sold
A drop of 7%.
Serpentine Dominion, Serpentine Dominion (Metal Blade)
480 sold
A steep drop of 79% in week two.
Amaranthe,
Stitched Up Heart, Never Alone (Another Century)
350 sold
A boost for the third week in a row, this time by 21%.
Dee Snider, We Are the Ones (Twisted Sister Records)
350 sold
A second week 86% drop. Guess he’s going to have to take it.
Theocracy, Ghost Ship (Ulterium)
330 sold
A 78% drop in week two.
Epica,
Darkthrone, Arctic Thunder (Peaceville)
240 sold
A 21% drop.
Sonata Arctica, The Ninth Hour (Nuclear Blast)
220 sold
This popped up again after a 9% boost.
