Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
It’s not every day you find a metal band dedicated to playing select pieces from John Williams’ legendary score with Darth Vader on guitar. But that’s what Galactic Empire is, and the fact that they’re our top debut of the week pleases me as both a metalhead and Star Wars fan. Other notable debuts include some band from Birmingham, England, Black Star Riders, and Iron Reagan among others.
Black Sabbath, The Ultimate Collection (Rhino)
#86 (Debut)
2,325 sold
Apparently just under 2,500 people needed yet another Black Sabbath compilation.
Black Star Riders, Heavy Fire (Nuclear Blast)
#91 (Debut)
2,275 sold
The band’s third album charts higher, sells lower than its predecessor.
Iron Reagan, Crossover Ministry (Relapse)
#92
2,250 sold
The crossover thrash act lands its best debut yet with album three. The band’s probably psyched, but the neighbors are not.
Big Wreck, Grace Street (Rounder)
#134 (Debut)
1,550 sold
This is the band’s fifth album. It’s number 5 in Canada.
Final Drive, Dig Deeper (Self-Released)
#198 (Debut)
920 sold
The latest album from the Southern groove metal band. Did our video premiere help things? We wanna think so!
Afterlife, 
Soen, 
She Must Burn, 
Metallica, A 6% drop. Meanwhile, the band’s “fifth member” got a huge boost from the Super Bowl and sold 50k this week.
Disturbed, Immortalized (Reprise)
#73 (from 72)
2,725 sold
Just under 550,000 sold.
I Prevail, Lifelines (Fearless)
#89 (from 85)
2,300 sold
A slight boost of 5%.
AFI,
Skillet, Unleashed (Atlantic)
#113 (from 109)
1,825 sold
Just under 165,000 sold.
Highly Suspect, The Boy Who Died Wolf (300 Entertainment)
#96 (from 114)
1,800 sold
Just under 40,000 sold.
Starset, 
Avenged Sevenfold,
Kreator, 
Halestorm,
Five Finger Death Punch, Got Your Six (Prospect Park)
#153 (from 144)
1,325 sold
A small boost of 4%.
Korn, The Serenity of Suffering (Roadrunner)
#178 (from 168)
1,025 sold
Just under 110,000 sold.
Shinedown, Threat To Survival (Atlantic)
#193 (from 187)
950 sold
This sells roughly the same as last week.
Gemini Syndrome, 
Palisades,
Dangerkids, 
Betraying the Martyrs, The Resilient (Sumerian)
380 sold
Stephen Pearcy,
Stitched Up Heart, Never Alone (Another Century)
280 sold
A boost of 13%.
Letters From The Fire,
As Lions, Selfish Age (Better Noise)
170 sold
Amaranthe, Maximalism (Spinefarm)
150 sold
This pops up again after dropping off last week.
Through Fire, Breathe (Sumerian)
150 sold
This also pops up again to breathe.
