Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
While the metal world (and the music world in general) is recovering from the celebration of Metallica’s new album, Metal By Numbers is here to report on album sales in the meantime before Hardwired…to Self-Destruct‘s behemoth numbers drop next week. This is the time of year when album debuts begin to lessen as we prepare to move into the Christmas season and the new year. Soon we’ll be posting about our favorite releases of 2016, and it looks like there’s going to be a lot to pick from. You know, despite many of the not so great things to happen in 2016 (both inside and outside of music), we can at least sit over here on our little corner of the internet and be thankful that metal, which has always helped us get through tough times, is as strong as ever. Enjoy the charts and Happy Thanksgiving, folks.
Notable Debuts:
Animals as Leaders, The Madness of Many (Sumerian)
Debut #20
9,075 sold
Animals as Leaders’ fourth album didn’t sell as much as The Joy of Motion, but it charted higher.
In Flames, Battles (Eleven Seven)
Debut #23
8,650 sold
The band’s twelfth album is their highest charting album yet, though it didn’t sell as much as Siren Charms.
Superjoint, Caught Up in the Gears of Application (Housecore)
Debut #71
3,650 sold
After thirteen years, Phil Anselmo’s Superjoint Ritual (now known as just Superjoint) has returned with a new album.
Sirenia, Dim Days of Dolor (Napalm)
720 sold
The Norwegian band’s eighth album comes only year and a half after their previous album.
Rammstein, XXI – Klavier (Rammstein GbR)
490 sold
I spent way too much time trying to figure out what the shit this is since I heard nothing about a Rammstein release. Apparently it’s a compilation of piano instrumental versions of Rammestein songs originally released with a book of sheet music or something. So, uh, enjoy?
Enslaved, The Sleeping Gods – Thorn (ByNorse)
310 sold
Enslaved’s new EP is a combination of material from 2011.
Okilly Dokilly, Howdilly Doodilly (Self-Released)
270 sold
I never thought I’d be writing about a Ned Flanders-themed metal band, but I can’t say it’s the strangest thing I’ve written about either.
Notable Sales:
Avenged Sevenfold, The Stage (Capitol)
#24 (from 8)
8,600 sold
Just under the 100,000 mark already.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra, The Ghosts of Christmas Eve (Rhino Atlantic)
#26 (from 24)
8,425 sold
A boost of 15% as the Christmas music season begins to rev up.
Korn, The Serenity of Suffering (Roadrunner)
#60 (from 35)
4,000 sold
A 30% drop.
Dope, Blood Money Part 1 (eOne)
#99 (from 39)
2,575 sold
A bloody 48% drop.
Skillet, Unleashed (Atlantic)
#100 (from 94)
2,575 sold
This sold nearly the same amount as last week.
Disturbed, Immortalized (Reprise)
#107 (from 107)
2,350 sold
This has held the same chart position for about three weeks.
I Prevail, Lifelines (Fearless)
#118 (from 109)
2,225 sold
A slight drop of 2%.
Testament, Brotherhood of the Snake (Nuclear Blast)
#125 (from 61)
2,100 sold
Snaking down the charts with a 46% drop.
Five Finger Death Punch, Got Your Six (Prospect Park)
#17 (from 129)
2,075 sold
Another tiny 1% boost.
The Pretty Reckless, Who You Selling For (Razor & Tie)
#133 (from 85)
1,975 sold
A 27% drop. Also, we have photos from their Detroit show.
Shinedown, Threat To Survival (Atlantic)
#174 (from 191)
1,375 sold
A boost of 10%.
Dark Tranquillity, Atoma (Century Media)
850 sold
This drop by 62% in week two.
Epica, The Holographic Principle (Nuclear Blast)
560 sold
A big boost of 80% thanks to their US headlining tour.
Hammerfall, Built to Last (Napalm)
430 sold
A drop of 68% in week two.
Glenn Hughes, Resonate (Frontiers)
400 sold
A second week 77% drop.
Starkill, Shadow Sleep (Prosthetic)
380 sold
A 38% drop is actually pretty good for a second week.
Amaranthe,
Vader, The Empire (Nuclear Blast)
330 sold
A 71% drop can’t be good for the Empire.
Serpentine Dominion, Serpentine Dominion (Metal Blade)
330 sold
A 32% drop.
Invent, Animate,
Theocracy, Ghost Ship (Ulterium)
230 sold
A 29% drop is spooky.
Darkthrone,
Too Close To Touch, 
Alcest, Kodama (Prophecy)
200 sold
This also pops up again after a 15% boost.
