Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
The charts promise to be dominated by a heavy dose of metal and hard rock debuts in the weeks ahead. This week, though, there isn’t a single heavy debut to report on. “Is that why Metal Insider decided to turn hipster and report on Sleigh Bells’ new album?,” you have the right to ask. Well, no need to fear, since we’re not turning into Indie Insider any time soon.
However, there is a reason why we’re covering the top ten debut of Sleigh Bells’ sophomore album Reign Of Terror. As you may know, one half of the “noise pop” due is none other than Derek Miller, who played guitar on Poison The Well’s first three albums. So while Sleigh Bells music might not exactly thrill old school Poison The Well fans, it’s still pretty damn awesome to see Miller and collaborator Alexis Krauss achieve such an accomplishment. In fact, Sleigh Bells’ top 10 debut is truly astonishing since their debut album, 2010’s Treats, placed at #39 with about 12,100 copies in its first week.
Notable Debuts:
Sleigh Bells, Reign Of Terror (Mom+Pop), #8, 27,470 sold
Seeing a former Poison The Well member in the top 10 is just as exciting as seeing him on SNL.
Notable Sales:
Van Halen, A Different Kind of Truth (Interscope) #7, 28,360 sold
Despite a 51% decrease, Van Halen remains in the top 10 after three weeks. Though these aren’t great numbers for such a hyped album as this one, it’s still safe to say that VH’s first album in 28 years with Diamond Dave will still have staying power.
Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA) #53, 7,850 sold
The Grammy love is starting to wear off, as Dave Grohl and co. find themselves back outside of the top 50 thanks to a 66% decrease in sales.
Five Finger Death Punch, American Capitalist (Prospect Park) #65, 6,920 sold
Can you spot the members of FFDP in their new music video for “Remember Everything”?
Korn, The Path of Totality (Roadrunner) #75, 6,070 sold
Even though the nu-metal pioneers actually jump up the charts by seven spots, they actually experience a 12% decrease in sales.
Lamb of God, Resolution (Epic) #85, 5,040 sold
A 33% decrease in sales for LOG, who after five weeks have sold 88,816 copies of their seventh studio album.
Metallica, Beyond Magnetic EP (Warner Bros.) #90, 4,820 sold
What will James Hetfield have to say during an interview with Liquid Metal host Jose Mangin? Find out tomorrow (March 1) at 5pm ET / 2pm PT on Sirius XM channel 40.
Chevelle, Hats Off to the Bull (Epic) #110, 4,070 sold
Chevelle have found themselves in the #110 slot for the past two weeks now.
Disturbed, Lost Children (Reprise) #160, 2,660 sold
After sixteen weeks, Disturbed have sold slightly less than 142,600 copies of their b-sides album. Not bad for a band who’s on hiatus.
Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare (Warner Bros.) #163, 2,600 sold
After weeks of being M.I.A. from the charts, A7X enter back into the top 200. Maybe the fact that this album is on sale for $5.99 via Amazon helped?
Lacuna Coil, Dark Adrenaline (Century Media) #164, 2,580 sold
While definitely opening them up to a new audience, it’s safe to say that Gigantour isn’t helping the Italian metal as much as…
Volbeat, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (Universal) #196, 2,250 sold
…Volbeat, who finally debut on the top 200. Their sales have jumped by about 1,000/week since the tour started.
Goatwhore, Blood for the Master (Metal Blade) 975 sold
While the band’s fifth album suffers a 69% drop (69 dude!), it’s still sold well over 4,000 copies.
Like Moths To Flames, When We Don’t Exist (Rise) 525 sold
Four months in, and almost 12,000 flamers served (wait, that sounded wrong).
Volbeat, Live from Beyond Hell / Above Heaven (Universal) 540 sold
Another 500 liked what they heard on Gigantour enough to try to relive it by picking up this album.
Earth, Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II (Southern Lord) 400 sold
The seminal drone band’s second installment of Angels of Darkness, Demons of Night pushes past 1,500 sold in its second week.
Orange Goblin, A Eulogy for the Damned (Candlelight) 375 sold
A solid second week, in that this is about what their last few albums have done in their first weeks. Helps that it’s a damn solid record.
