Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
After a week off, Metal By Numbers returns with a pretty low week in sales all around with only one new metal/ hard rock debut on the charts. That’s a given considering we’re only three weeks into the New Year. However, not only does the sole metal debut break into the top 30, it also comes from one of Finland’s biggest metal groups.
Though technically it only sold around 1,000 copies more than their last album Dark Passion Play, and sells considerably less than it did in their home country (where it’s already gone triple platinum), Nightwish’s new album Imaginaerum has a very solid first week in the U.S. For one, the new album ranks incredibly higher than their last album (which debuted at #84). Plus, it’s been five years since Dark Passion Play came out (and unlike in their home country, they aren’t exactly household names in the States), and they’ve done little touring during that time. So the fact that they were able to sell slightly more than their last album is pretty impressive.
If anything, this somewhat highlight hows so much has changed in five years in regards to album sales. Five years ago, bands selling 11,000-12,000 copies found themselves near the bottom of the top 100. Now, it’s not that surprising to see bands entering the top 30 after only pushing the same amount of units. Then again, as we’ve mentioned before, this isn’t exactly the time of year when album sales are booming regardless.
Notable Debuts:
Nightwish, Imaginaerum (Roadrunner) #26, 12,370 sold
It doesn’t seem as though Nightwish have any touring plans for America at the moment. Besides their upcoming show in California Saturday night (January 21), it looks like the 70,000 Tons Of Metal Cruise is the only other chance for Americans to catch the Finnish symphonic metal group.
Notable Sales:
Korn, The Path of Totality (Roadrunner) #45, 7,400 sold
Another 19% decrease for the nu metal pioneers in their sixth week on the charts. Maybe a Walmart commercial will help boost sales.
Five Finger Death Punch, American Capitalist (Prospect Park) #37, 7,370 sold
A 25% decrease in sales hints that FFDP are losing a little steam after 14 weeks on the charts. However, considering that they’ll likely be touring in support of this album for a while now (just recently announcing dates with Soulfly), chances are this album will stick around for a while longer.
Evanescence, Evanescence (Wind-Up) #60, 5,700 sold
Amy Lee drops 31 spots down the charts after experiencing a 52% decrease in sales.
Chevelle, Hats Off to the Bull (Epic) #64, 5,600 sold
Despite jumping up the charts these past few weeks, Chevelle are still a little less than 1,000 copies short of crossing the 100,000 mark.
Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA) #90, 4,220 sold
After 40 weeks on the charts, Dave Grohl and company have sold over 672,700 copies of this album. And the fact that they’ve remained in the top 100 for most of that time is astonishing in itself.
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo [Soundtrack] (Null) #113, 3,500 sold
Congrats to Reznor and Ross on winning their second…oh, wait a second…nevermind.
Disturbed, Lost Children (Reprise) #116, 3,450 sold
In another week or so, Disturbed’s b-sides collection could sell over 125,000 copies. A small number compared to the band’s previous albums, but pretty damn good for an album full of leftovers.
Metallica, Beyond Magnetic (Warner Bros.) #130, 2,970 sold
A 67% decrease finds Metallica dropping 84 spots down the charts. Not a great sign for the EP’s physical release, and 68,940 sold in five weeks is pretty low for Metallica. On the plus side, it’s safe to assume that this is selling better than Lulu, and when the physical version comes out, sales will undoubtedly increase.
Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare (Warner Bros.) #146, 2,700 sold
Same chart position as last week despite a 14% decrease in sales for A7X.
Chickenfoot, Chickenfoot III (eOne) #188, 1,930 sold
After nine weeks of being absent from the charts, Sammy Hagar and his supergroup slip back into the top 200 with a surprising 40% increase. Maybe it has to do with the fact that Amazon is selling the album for $5.99. That, or fans are prepping for the “Chickenfoot vs. new(ish) Van Halen” debate.
Hollywood Undead, American Tragedy (A&M/Octone) #190, 1,900 sold
The real American tragedy is that people are still buying this album.
Megadeth, TH1RT3EN (Roadrunner), #199 1,800 sold
Thanks in part to a 21% decrease in sales, Dave Mustaine and company find themselves one spot away from exiting the top 200. Luckily for Megadeth, though, Gigantour is just around the corner.
Volbeat, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (Universal) 1,440 sold
Not only does Volbeat have Gigantour to look forward to next week, but also the chance to play with Mercyful Fate’s Hank Shermann.
Like Moths To Flames, When We Don’t Exist (Rise) 430 sold
A 27% decrease in sales, but at least they’ve got Bamboozle coming up.
Memphis May Fire, Hollow (Rise Records) 380 sold
As you can see, this album is starting to lose its fire.
Carnifex, Until I Feel Nothing (Victory) 370 sold
The deathcore band has sold over 8,900 copies of this album in the past 12 weeks.
Woe Is Me, Number(s) Rise Records 270 sold
Really low sales this week, but these guys also have Bamboozle to look forward to.
Volbeat, Live from Beyond Hell / Above Heaven (Universal) 270 sold
Their live album may not be selling as well as Beyond Heaven/ Above Hell is, but it’s still pretty impressive that Volbeat have two albums charting in the same week.
