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 and commercial stations that have metal shows, as well as SiriusXM, Music Choice, and more.
Calling the first week of April a slow one for metal releases may be an understatement. This past week saw barely any metal debuts. The only debut that is really worth mentioning is former Hole/Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur’s sophomore solo album Out Of Our Minds. And after listening to the celtic alt rock album’s title track, I’m led to believe that the only metal thing about it is her duet with Glenn Danzig on the song “Father’s Grave”. Besides the lack of debuts and a few increases in the usual suspects, this week also saw many metal releases drop off the top 200, including Mudvayne’s self-titled release (which hanged around for a while since its Winter release). Woe Of Tyrants topped FMQB’s most added, while The Dillinger Escape Plan reign over FMQB’s top ten.
Notable Debuts:
Melissa Auf Der Maur, Out Of Our Minds (MAdMMusic) 780 sold
The ex Hole/Smashing Pumpkins bassist’s new solo record isn’t really metal. But the album does feature a duet with Glenn Danzig on the song “Father’s Grave”. Plus, MetalSucks wrote a funny article about her!
Notable Sales:
The Scorpions, Sting In The Tail (Sony BMG) #109 5,800 sold
Big decrease in their second week, 69% decrease to be exact. But the album’s first week still has us in shock.
Alice In Chains, Black Gives Way To Blue (Virgin) #118 5,300 sold
A slight increase from last week. This album will probably continue to selling in this range
Motley Crue, Greatest Hits (Motley Records) #134 4,400 sold
The 31% increase is sad proof that greatest hits albums will sell even if you have already put out a million compilations in the past.
Them Crooked Vultures, Them Crooked Vultures (DGC/Interscope) #106 4,120 sold
Slight drop, but the super group’s debut is still selling.
Slipknot, All Hope is Gone (Roadrunner) #150 3,800 sold
Still hanging in there tight, with 921,000 sold. This one’s going platinum, trust us.
Rob Zombie, Hellbilly Deluxe 2 (Loud and Proud/Roadrunner) #151 3,800 sold
Around the same as last week, but starting to slip off the top 200 faster.
Five Finger Death Punch, War Is The Answer (Prospect Park) #156 3,800 sold
I thought there was a slight chance the album had slipped off this week. Why did I ever doubt?
The Dillinger Escape Plan, Option Paralysis (Party Smasher Inc., Season Of Mist) #200 2,760 sold
Just made it to the top 200! A 67% decrease lowers them down in their second week, but still great for a band with their own label imprint.
Overkill, Ironbound (E1) 890 sold
Slight increase for the thrash legends this week. Their upcoming Fall tour with fellow elder thrashers Forbidden will see Overkill continue to tour in support for this album.
Carnifex, Hell Chose Me (Victory) 820 sold
Still selling modestly.
We Came As Romans, To Plant A Seed (Equal Vision) 760 sold
20% decrease, but still selling.
Attack! Attack!,Someday Came Suddenly (Rise) 720 sold
37% increase. I asked last week, but the increase leads me to asking again: Still? Really?
Triptykon, Eparistera Daimones (Century Media) 670 sold
50% decrease Tom G. Fischer’s new project following Celtic Frost. Steep drop but still modest.
Armored Saint, La Raza (Metal Blade Records) 660 sold
A 34% decrease in the album’s third week out. It’s dropping slowly but still hanging in. I could make a joke about how the band survived a “Left Hook From Right Field”, but I’ll spare you the nausea.
Eluveitie, Everything Remains (Nuclear Blast) 480 sold
Pagan metal represent!
Dark Tranquillity, We Are The Void (Century) 460 sold
Not too far off from where they were last week.
FMQB Most Added
1. Woe Of Tyrants, Threnody (Metal Blade)
2. Hail The Villain, Take Back The Fear-Single (Roadrunner)
3. Cancer Bats, Bears, Mayors, Scraps & Bones (Good Fight Entertainment)
4. Barren Earth, Curse Of The Red River (Peaceville)
5. Darkthrone, Circle The Wagons (Peaceville)
FMQB Top Ten:
1. The Dillinger Escape Plan, Option Paralysis (Party Smasher Inc./Season Of Mist)
2. Various, God Of War EP (Roadrunner)
3. Overkill, Ironbound (E1)
4. High On Fire, Snakes For The Divine (E1)
5. Fear Factory, Mechanize (Candlelight)
6. Demon Hunter, World Is A Thorn (Solid State)
7. Living Sacrifice, The Infinite Order (Solid State)
8. Mutiny Within, Mutiny Within (Roadrunner)
9. Fozzy, Chasing The Grail (Riot Entertainment)
10. Bullet For My Valentine, Fever (Jive, Zomba)
