Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
You know, I hate to say we told you so, but as soon as we started doing Metal By Numbers, we were as floored as anyone else by the continued popularity of Attack Attack! Sure, they were fun to laugh at for spawning the “crab core” micro genre, and existed before troll face was a gleam in a Microsoft Paint illustrator’s eye. But their first album, Someday Came Suddenly, continued to sell. Three years later, who cares? Apparently quite a few people. While we’re all pulling for a certain band from Richmond to have the #1 album next week, I’m not sure any regular MI readers were even thinking about a new album from these guys. It’s either a new generation of record buyers pledging their allegiance or the apocalypse coming 11 months early. You make the call.
Notable Debuts:
Attack Attack!, This Means War! (Rise) #11, 16,800 sold
Good for Attack Attack! I mean, who would’ve thought that a band best known for being an internet meme a few years ago would be sitting just outside the top ten in 2012? But the band’s honestly become a lot less goofy (no spazzy dance breakdowns), and keeping in mind that their lead singer isn’t even 20 yet, could bode well for their future.
The Devil’s Blood, The Thousandfold Epicentre (Metal Blade) 500 sold
Is light the new heavy? In between bands like Ghost, Blood Ceremony, and these guys, there’s a whole new breed of occult-loving metal that’s really more rock than brutal, and we’re not complaining. In advance of their run on the Decibel tour, the band have a solid debut that should continue to sell on the road.
Alcest, Les Voyages de L’Âme (Prophecy) 300 sold
Black metal or shoegaze? Can it be both? Either way, the band’s third album is off to a decent start.
Notable Sales:
Korn, The Path of Totality (Roadrunner) #49, 6,750 sold
Turns out the nu metal pioneers filmed a performance for Walmart’s Soundcheck online series, and not a commercial. Although, seeing how they’ve only sold around 149,000 copies of their electronic/dubstep album in the past seven weeks, maybe Korn should have filmed a commercial with the retail giant.
Five Finger Death Punch, American Capitalist (Prospect Park) #50, 6,670 sold
The fact that FFDP have been able to for the most part stay in the top 50 these past fifteen weeks is a statement to their current popularity. Or it just proves that people love busty chicks and sports cars on their album covers.
Evanescence, Evanescence (Wind-Up) #66, 5,500 sold
The band’s new music video may prove that Amy Lee’s heart is broken, but so are our speakers after watching the video.
Chevelle, Hats Off to the Bull (Epic) #79, 4,740 sold
Though a 15% decrease is enough to kick them 15 spots down the charts, Chevelle sold enough to cross the 103,000 mark in total album sales.
Nightwish, Imaginaerum (Roadrunner) #87, 4,500 sold
A 64% drease in sales finds the Finnish symphonic metal group down 61 spots in their second week on the charts.
Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA) #105, 3,900 sold
Despite experiencing only a 9% decrease, Dave Grohl and company find themselves five spots outside the top 100.
Disturbed, Lost Children (Reprise) #128, 3,070 sold
Even after eleven weeks, Disturbed’s album full of leftovers hasn’t lost much steam.
Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare (Warner Bros.) #146, 2,700 sold
Only a 6% decrease in sales for A7X despite dropping 15 spots down the charts.
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo [Soundtrack] (Null) #169, 2,450 sold
Another 30% decrease in sales for the Nine Inch Nails frontman and collaborator’s score. We were about to say that maybe the Oscar buzz would help boost sales, but….yyeeaahh guess not. At least Reznor has NIN to fall back on.
Volbeat, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (Universal) 1,450 sold
The Dannish metal rockabilly group will be kicking off Gigantour tomorrow. Who else is looking forward to seeing them on the tour?
Like Moths To Flames, When We Don’t Exist (Rise) 550 sold
A 26% increase in sales is proof that their current tour with D.R.U.G.S. is attracting new fans, just like how moths are easily attracted to…
Memphis May Fire, Hollow (Rise Records) 450 sold
A 20% increase in sales helped lit a fire under this album’s ass.
Carnifex, Until I Feel Nothing (Victory) 380 sold
Here’s hoping that the deathcore band’s upcoming tour with All Shall Perish this Spring will boost sales a bit.
