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

We’re pretty inclusive in this column. Sure it’s all about the metal, but we tend to even include bands with only the slightest ties to the genre. Case in point: this week’s top debut from Steven Wilson. His recent work has been more prog rock than metal, but, well, the man formed Porcupine Tree and produced Blackwater Park, dammit. So should you ever read this column and wonder “Why the hell is so-and-so on here?,”chances are there’s a good reason.

Notable Debuts: 

Steven Wilson, Hand. Cannot. Erase. (Kscope) #26, 12,375 sold

Wilson’s latest solo album marks the best debut of his solo career.

 

Sons of Texas, Baptized In The Rio Grande (Razor & Tie) #143, 2,275 sold

You’d think these guys were a country band judging by their name, but you’d be wrong. The band’s debut album gets a solid start.

 

UFO, A Conspiracy of Stars (SPV/Steamhammer) #191, 1,700 sold

On their 21st studio album, UFO have charted in the US for the first time since Misdemeanor in 1985.

 

Leviathan, Scar Sighted (Profound Lore) 1,100 sold

This is the fifth album from Jef Whitehead’s one-man black metal project.

 

 

Notable Sales:

 

Kid Rock, First Kiss (Warner Bros.) #7, 33,475 sold

When your album is still in the top 10 after a 76% drop, you’re doing okay.

 

Red, Of Beauty and Rage (Essential) #35, 7,725 sold

A second week 78% drop.

 

Falling In Reverse, Just Like You (Epitaph) #42, 6,525 sold

This is falling by 73%.

 

AC/DC, Rock or Bust (Columbia) #48, 5,700 sold

This will be a gold record by next week.

 

All That Remains, The Order of Things (Razor & Tie) #59, 4,950 sold

A 74% drop in week two.

 

Marilyn Manson, The Pale Emperor (Loma Vista) #73, 4,050 sold

Over 90,000 copies sold.

 

Slipknot, .5: The Grey Chapter (Roadrunner) #87, 3,600 sold

At week 20, this gains a 5% boost and crosses the 300,000 mark in sales.

 

Foo Fighters, Sonic Highways (RCA) #120, 2,625 sold

Not much change for this week.

 

Papa Roach, F.E.A.R. (Eleven Seven) #159, 2,050 sold

A drop of 12%.

 

The Pretty Reckless, Going To Hell (Razor & Tie) #167, 1,900 sold

This makes a steady climb back up with a 16% boost.

 

In This Moment, Black Widow (Atlantic) #171, 1,875 sold

A 12% drop as this closes in on the 100,000 mark.

 

Of Mice & Men, Restoring Force: Full Circle (Rise) #173, 1,850 sold

Forced into a 74% drop.

 

Rob Zombie, Spookshow International Live (UMe) #197, 1,625 sold

This takes a tumble of 66%.

 

Black Star Riders, The Killer Instinct (Nuclear Blast) 1,275 sold

A killer drop of 54%.

 

Revolution Saints, Revolution Saints (Frontiers) 1,175 sold

A 69% drop? Saint it ain’t so!

 

Torche, Restarter (Relapse) 1,100 sold

A 78% drop in week two.

 

Like a Storm, Awaken The Fire (Century Media) 1,000 sold

It looks like the storm has begun to ebb with a 72% drop.

 

Ensiferum, One Man Army (Metal Blade) 750 sold

A drop of 62%.

 

Blind Guardian, Beyond The Red Mirror (Nuclear Blast) 720 sold

This debuted at #4 in Germany if you wanted to know.

 

Oceans Ate Alaska, Lost Isles (Fearless) 640 sold

Lost sales in week two with a 83% drop

 

Crobot, Something Supernatural (Wind-Up) 510 sold

This gets a big boost in sales.

 

Antemasque, Antemasque (Nadie Sound) 490 sold

This gets boosted back up as well, though hopefully it has nothing to do with the band’s boiling water incident.

 

Napalm Death, Apex Predator – Easy Meat (Century Media) 430 sold

Preying on a 35% drop.

 

The Agonist, Eye of Providence (Century Media) 430 sold

A 67% is agony.

 

36 Crazyfists, Time and Trauma (Spinefarm) 400 sold

A crazy 46% drop.

 

Amaranthe, Massive Addictive (Spinefarm) 340 sold

A slight drop of 5%.

 

Rival Sons, Great Western Valkyrie (Earache) 275 sold

A 63% boost brings this back into the picture again.

 

Ice Nine Kills, The Predator Becomes the Prey (Outerloop) 320 sold

This takes a hit of 25%.