Metal By Numbers 2/16: Van Halen Jump To #2 On The Charts

Posted by on February 16, 2012

Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.

After long delay and years of speculation, Van Halen finally released their first album in 28 years with frontman David Lee Roth last week. And while Adele remained at the top of the charts, the classic rock legends’ #2 debut proved that the reunion has paid off. It also proves that a majority of fans liked what they heard on A Different Kind Of Truth, even if some of the songs are reworked demos.

Granted, A Different Kind Of Truth may not exactly match the success of 1984 (which also debuted at #2). However, considering how drastically the industry has changed in the past few years (let alone in 28 years), it’s an accomplishment for any band to sell more than 187,000 copies in their first week. And though sales in the coming weeks will definitely drop, we wouldn’t be surprised if Van Halen’s upcoming tour will help keep their new album on the charts for a while.

 

Notable Debuts:

Van Halen, A Different Kind of Truth (Interscope) #2, 187,500 sold
Fun fact: Van Halen have never reached number one on the charts with Roth (besides 1996’s Best Of Volume 1 compilation). All of their #1 records were with Sammy Hagar on vocals.

 

Mark Lanegan Band, Blues Funeral (4AD) #89, 5,740 sold
The former Screaming Trees frontman’s first album in about eight years has an impressive debut in the top 100. Not surprising, though, since the album’s opener “The Gravedigger’s Song” is amazing!

 

Psycroptic, The Inherited Repression (Nuclear Blast) 680 sold
The Australian tech death metal group’s fifth studio album, and second via Nuclear Blast, has a solid first week on the charts.

 

Chimp Spanner, All Roads Lead Here (Prosthetic) 330 sold
The UK instrumental prog metal group’s new album hits the charts early despite just getting released this past week.

 

Notable Sales:

Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA) #56, 9,860 sold
It’s safe to say that Adele wasn’t the only artist who got a boost in sales thanks to The Grammys. Dave Grohl and co. receive an impressive 67% increase in sales, jumping up the charts by 22 spots. And who knows, maybe they’ll win big at another upcoming award show.

 

Metallica, Beyond Magnetic EP (Warner Bros.) #63, 9,130 sold
The almighty Metallica’s EP full of Death Magnetic b-sides only experiences a 33% decrease the week following it’s physical release. Considering that the digital version of the album has been out since December, that’s not bad at all.

 

Lamb of God, Resolution (Epic) #64, 8,900 sold
The Virginia metal group remain in the top 100 after three weeks.

 

Five Finger Death Punch, American Capitalist (Prospect Park) #73, 7,670 sold
FFDP drop ten spots down the chart despite a 5% increase in sales.

 

Korn, The Path of Totality (Roadrunner) #83, 6,730 sold
Korn’s electronic/ dubstep album was named album of the year by Revolver Magazine. Could it win album of the year at the Golden Gods?

 

Evanescence, Evanescence (Wind-Up) #98, 5,230 sold
Speaking of the Revolver Golden Gods Awards, Amy Lee and co. are not only nominated for awards but are also performing at the event.

 

Chevelle, Hats Off to the Bull (Epic) #109, 4,660 sold
After ten weeks on the charts, Chevelle have sold slightly less than 117,600 copies.

 

Lacuna Coil, Dark Adrenaline (Century Media) #129, 3,930 sold
A 35% decrease in sales finds the Italian metal group out of the top 100 in their third week on the charts.

 

Disturbed,  Lost Children (Reprise) #159, 3,260 sold
Disturbed’s b-sides album drops 25 spots down the charts despite a 1% increase in sales.

 

Volbeat, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (Universal) 2,070 sold
The Danish rockabilly metal group continue to see great results from Gigantour.

 

Like Moths To Flames, When We Don’t Exist (Rise) 470 sold
Another 17% decrease in sales for the deathcore group.

 

††† (Crosses), EP †† (self-released) 430 sold
The second EP from Chino Moreno and Shaun Lopez’s side project gets kicked off the top 200 thanks to an 83% decrease in sales.

 

You Me At Six, Sinners Never Sleep (Astralwerks) 400 sold
The UK rock band’s sales continue to slip with another 37% decrease.

 

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