By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week as well as what’s getting played at metal radio courtesy of radio trade magazine FMQB, whose metal panel consists of about 80 college a and commercial stations that have metal shows, as well as SiriusXM, Music Choice, and more.
After a very slow week for sales, it’s nice to see a few new metal and rock debuts on the charts. This week, the biggest debut comes from Slash. While the Velvet Revolver/ex Guns N’ Roses guitarist’s self-titled solo album didn’t exactly match up to his previous bands’ first week sales, it sold enough to crack the top 5. So it would appear that all of the self promotion he’s put himself through this past year has paid off (why else would he be willing to embarrass himself at the Grammys?). This week also saw debuts from Veil Of Maya and Darkthrone. Bleeding Through topped FQMB’s Most Added, while Overkill regained their throne on FMQB’s Top Ten.
Notable Debuts:
Slash, Slash
The ex Guns N’ Roses guitarist’s debut solo album featured a crap load of guest vocalists. But we bet it was all the shameless promotion Slash did that led to the album’s first week sales.
Veil Of Maya, ID
Pretty solid first week for the progressive death metal band.
Darkthrone, Circle the Wagons
Modest first week for the Norwegian black metal band.
Notable Sales:
Insane Clown Posse, Bang! Pow! Boom! (Psychopathic) #56 7.600
I don’t know why the juggalos went out in packs to buy an album that came out last year. Maybe it’s people who think they suck but thought the ABC Nightline and “Juggalo News” parody videos were funny. Then again, I thought the videos were funny, but still didn’t want to torture myself by purchasing the album.
Alice In Chains, Black Gives Way To Blue (Virgin) #128 4,300 sold
Only a slight decrease from last week.
The Scorpions, Sting In The Tail (Sony BMG) #138 3,900 sold
Decreasing slowly, but still shocking that they’re hanging on for as long as they are.
Guns N’ Roses, Greatest Hits (Geffen) #142 3,700 sold
This seemed to have reappeared on the charts out of no where. Maybe people decided to get Slash’s best songs instead of his solo record? Either way, if Motley Crue’s Greatest Hits can continue to sell, then why can’t this one as well?
Motley Crue, Greatest Hits (Motley Records) #154 3,400 sold
Maybe the 22% decrease is a sign this CD will slowly slip off the charts? Or is that just wishful thinking?
Five Finger Death Punch, War Is The Answer (Prospect Park) #161 3,370 sold
Tied with Them Crooked Vultures in sales and chart ranking this week.
Them Crooked Vultures, Them Crooked Vultures (DGC/Interscope) #161 3,370old
Tied with Five Finger Death Punch in sales and chart ranking this week.
Slipknot, All Hope is Gone (Roadrunner) #174 3,000 sold
Still hanging in their. Not much more to add really.
Rob Zombie, Hellbilly Deluxe 2 (Loud and Proud/Roadrunner) #185 2,850 sold
Only a 14% drop, but still sliding down the charts.
Hollywood Undead, Swan Songs (A&M, Octone) #186 2,800
Wait, how did they get back on the charts? I thought we were done speaking about them!!!
Overkill, Ironbound (E1) 750 sold
The legendary thrashers are still selling.
Carnifex, Hell Chose Me (Victory) 640 sold
Roughly a little less than last week.
We Came As Romans, To Plant A Seed (Equal Vision) 630 sold
They came as Romans, but they won’t leave the charts.
Armored Saint, La Raza (Metal Blade Records) 530 sold
Only a 19% decrease this week. This album is lasting longer than we thought it would. Good for them!
Triptykon, Eparistera Daimones (Century Media) 500 sold
Guess not being able to pronounce the name hasn’t stalled sales too much.
Melissa Auf Der Maur, Out Of Our Minds (MAdMMusic) 780 sold
The ex Hole/Smashing Pumpkins bassist’s new solo record was the only new release worth mentioning last week. Thanks for keeping us company back then Auf Der Maur.
Volbeat, Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood (Megaforce) 400 sold
The album has been out for a while, but Metallica’s European tour openers seem to be back on the selling path.
FMQB Most Added
1. Bleeding Through, Bleeding Through (Rise)
2. The Deftones, Diamond Eyes (Reprise Records)
3. Blessthefall, Witness (Fearless)
4. Sick Of It All, Based On A True Story (Century Media)
5. Concept Insomnia, Perpetuum Mobile (Evile Entertainment)
FMQB Top Ten:
1. Overkill, Ironbound (E1)
2. Various, God Of War EP (Roadrunner)
3. Fear Factory, Mechanize (Candlelight)
4. The Dillinger Escape Plan, Option Paralysis (Party Smasher Inc./Season Of Mist)
5. High On Fire, Snakes For The Divine (E1)
6. Demon Hunter, World Is A Thorn (Solid State)
7. Living Sacrifice, The Infinite Order (Solid State)
8. Bullet For My Valentine, Fever (Jive, Zomba)
9. The Empire Shall Fall , Awaken (Angle Side Side)
10. 10. Acrassicauda, Only The Dead See The End Of The War (Vice Records)
