Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
Once again, Kid Rock releases an album, and it sells a bunch of records. I guess that’s what happens when you decide to release an album digitally after years of holding out. For the record, he still sold the bulk of his sales (90,000) physically. It’d be interesting to see if he would’ve sold only that if he continued to hold out. In addition, two live albums from two legendary acts have hit the charts as well. Let’s see what else sold records out there.
Notable Debuts
Kid Rock, Rebel Soul (Atlantic), #5, 146,400 sold
How this managed to sell more than double what Aerosmith did is a puzzler. Also, all the track titles are ripe for mockery: “Chickens In The Pen”? “Cucci Galore”? Well, this is Kid Rock we’re talking about. So for all who bought this album, have a blast I guess.
Led Zeppelin, Celebration Day (Atlantic) #9, 101,100 sold
On the flip side, there’s the one and only Led Zep with a live album recorded back in 2007, their first full-length concert since 1980.
AC/DC, Live At River Plate (Columbia) #61, 16,750
Another live album debuting this week was recorded during AC/DC’s 3 night stand in Buenos Aires, their first show in Argentina in 13 years. Commence the duck walk.
Crown The Empire, The Fallout (Rise) #166, 5,600 sold
Is metalcore a dying genre? This article thinks so, but with a solid debut from Crown the Empire, it’s not like it’s going anywhere just yet.
Woe, Is Me, Genesi[s] (Rise) #167, 5,550 sold
Rise Records has two albums sell just about the same in their first week. Nice job guys.
Bad Brains, Into The Future (Megaforce) 2,550 sold
Considering that Bad Brains have been around for 35 years, this is a pretty good debut for the hardcore/reggae pioneers.
Porcupine Tree, Octane Twisted (Kscope) 1,700 sold
This live CD/DVD chronicles the band’s The Incident tour.
Aeon, Aeons Black (Metal Blade) 410 sold
Not to be confused with Aeons, this Swedish band has a solid first week.
Notable Sales
Aerosmith, Music From Another Dimension! (Columbia) #30, 29,350 sold
Apparently, Nicki Minaj went into a Twitter rant about Steven Tyler being a racist. We assume she means that he’s racist towards pop stars who look like real-life Barbie dolls.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Dreams of Fireflies (On A Christmas Night) (Lava) #35, 26,950 sold
Going by my personal rule of not playing Christmas music until after Thanksgiving, it is now appropriate to throw this one on.
Soundgarden, King Animal (Roadrunner) #49, 19,900 sold
It’s a typical second week drop for Soundgarden’s first album in 16 years.
Deftones, Koi No Yokan (Reprise) #71, 14,450 sold
Is it just me, or does Koi No Yokan sound like a move from Street Fighter? That only makes it more awesome. Pretty big drop from last week, but touring will certainly help sell this excellent record.
KISS, Monster (UMe) #100, 9,650 sold
KISS doubles their albums sales from last week. Black Friday surge maybe? You know, Gene Simmons invented Black Friday.
Flyleaf, New Horizons (A&M/Octone) #138, 7,000 sold
Strangely, this sold more than last week, but is lower on the charts.
Stone Sour, House of Gold & Bones (Roadrunner) #156, 5,950 sold
Rock of Ages, Soundtrack (WaterTower Music) #171, 5,350 sold
All That Remains, A War You Cannot Win (Razor & Tie) #188, 4,600 sold
Staying on the charts seems to be a war this album cannot win.
Volbeat, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (Universal) 2,400 sold
This album’s sold 168,000 copies in two years. Nice long term artist development.
Sleep, Dopesmoker(Southern Lord) 560 sold
Not sure why this had a resurgence. Maybe something to do with pot being legalized in three states earlier this month?
Otherwise, True Love Never Dies (Century Media) 505 sold
This band have announced a tour. I’m glad I have something else to say about them.
Graveyard, Lights Out (Nuclear Blast) 490 sold
Not a bad week for the band, even as the album drops 40 percent.
Pig Destroyer, Book Burner (Relapse) 470 sold
After five weeks, Pig Destroyer has sold over 7,500 copies of their latest offering, which is pretty amazing for a grindcore band.
Upon This Dawning, To Keep Us Safe (Fearless) 430 sold
Another 12% decrease for the Italian metal group who love Carly Rae Jepsen.
Wintersun, Time I (Nuclear Blast) 430 sold
Another 12% decrease for the Italian metal group who love Carly Rae Jepsen.
Neurosis, Honor Found In Decay (Neurot) 420 sold
This album marks the group’s last collaboration with visual artist Josh Graham.
Like Moths To Flames, When We Don’t Exist (Rise) 420 sold
A nice 66% increase in sales bring Like Moths To Flames back onto the charts.
Texas Hippie Coalition, Peacemaker (Carved) 410 sold
THC also experience a nice 31% increase in sales after 14 weeks on the charts.
The Devin Townsend Project, Epicloud (HevyDevy) 370 sold
Looks like we can expect even more new music from Hevy Devy soon!
In Fear & Faith, In Fear And Faith (Rise) 360 sold
Those who lost faith in the group should be pleased by the 16% increase in sales they experienced this week.
Geoff Tate, Kings & Thieves (Inside Out) 330 sold
While sale for his solo album continue to drop, at least Tate can look forward to touring with his version of Queensryche.
