Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
Even though any artist who performed or appeared at this year’s Grammys experienced huge boosts in sales, this week still proved to be a solid one for metal debuts. Out of the eight new releases, though, only one debuted in the top 200. And that honor goes to the almighty Goatwhore, who sell over 3,100 copies of their fifth album. This is an extremely impressive first week for a blackened death metal band like Goatwhore. Plus, we have to admit that we simply love seeing the band’s name listed on the top 200 charts.
Notable Debuts:
Goatwhore, Blood for the Master (Metal Blade) #171, 3,110 sold
It’s a safe bet that Goatwhore’s upcoming appearance on this year’s Summer Slaughter Tour will help sales out as well.
Orange Goblin, A Eulogy for the Damned (Candlelight) 990 sold
This is without question the UK stoner metal band’s best-selling album in the States. In comparison, 2007’s Healing Through Fire sold 326 copies in its first week. Looks like Candlelight did a great job pushing Orange Goblin in the U.S.
Earth, Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II (Southern Lord) 920 sold
The second installment of the doom group’s Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light serious has a strong first week.
Lillian Axe, XI: The Days Before Tomorrow (CME) 730 sold
The New Orleans hard rockers’ 9th album sells slightly more than 2010’s Deep Red Shadows.
Hopes Die Last, Trust No One (Standby) 720 sold
What do you think of the Italian post-hardcore group’s cover of “Firework”?
Beneath the Massacre, Incongruous (Prosthetic) 660 sold
A solid first week for the technical death metal group, especially considering that they’ve been off the grid for the most part since 2010’s Marée Noir EP.
Knives Out!, Black Mass Hysteria (Razor to Wrist) 620 sold
A decent first week for the metal group, featuring Hellyeah and Nothingface’s Tom Maxwell, but nothing (ha!) that would cause hysteria on the charts.
The Devastated, Devil’s Messenger (Century Media) 470 sold
Hopefully the South California based band isn’t devastated by their first week sales.
Notable Sales:
Van Halen, A Different Kind of Truth (Interscope) #4, 57,880 sold
Even with a 69% decrease in sales, Van Halen’s first album in 28 years stays in the top 5 in its second week on the charts. And this further proves that A Different Kind Of Truth could have lasting power on the charts. Plus, we have a feeling that Diamond Dave is happy about the percentage number they’ve dropped.
Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA) #19, 23,120 sold
Dave Grohl and co. receive a gigantic boost in sales, bringing them back into the top 20 after 45 weeks. Seeing how Adele and two Grammy compilations also got an enormous kick in sales this week, we assume that Grohl’s acceptance speech was well received.
Five Finger Death Punch, American Capitalist (Prospect Park) #68, 8,150 sold
As it turns out, FFDP frontman Ivan Moody can pull off the “creepy homeless clown” look.
Lamb of God, Resolution (Epic) #76, 7,490 sold
2012 continues to be a year of firsts for Lamb Of God, who just performed in Shanghai, China for the first time ever.
Korn, The Path of Totality (Roadrunner) #82, 6,730 sold
Anyone else think Jonathan Davis looks like he’s in danger in this picture?
Metallica, Beyond Magnetic EP (Warner Bros.) #90, 6,190 sold
Another 32% decrease in sales for Metallica’s EP full of Death Magnetic b-sides. We wonder if they hope sales will improve as much as we hope there’ll be heavier acts announced for Orion. Luckily, Lars is promising just that.
Evanescence, Evanescence (Wind-Up) #102, 5,420 sold
Despite a 4% increase, Amy Lee and co. have been kicked out of the top 100 after 19 weeks on the charts.
Chevelle, Hats Off to the Bull (Epic) #110, 4,860 sold
After 11 weeks, Chevelle seem to be stuck right outside of the top 100.
Lacuna Coil, Dark Adrenaline (Century Media) #152, 3,460 sold
After four weeks on the charts, the Italian metal group have sold over 33,400 copies of their sixth album.
Disturbed, Lost Children (Reprise) #164, 3,270 sold
While Disturbed’s b-sides album hangs around the top 200, bassist John Moyer gets ready for his first show with Adrenaline Mob.
Volbeat, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (Universal) 2,490 sold
Another 20% increase in sales for the Danish rockabilly metal group proves that Gigantour is continuing to pay off big time.
Like Moths To Flames, When We Don’t Exist (Rise) 580 sold
A 25% increase in sales gives this flame alive.
Volbeat, Live from Beyond Hell / Above Heaven (Universal) 540 sold
In case you need more proof that Gigantour is really paying off for the Danish rockabilly metal group, even their live album experienced a big boost in sales this week.
