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

Nothing says “we missed you” like propelling a band’s first album in six years up to the number one spot on the good ol’ Billboard. That said, I have the sneaking suspicion some of you missed a certain other band even more since it took them nearly a decade to get a new album out. Whichever way you lean, it’s a good crop for this week’s debuts. And with July upon us, we have plenty more good metal gearing up for this summer and beyond. Some are all grouped on the same day. Example: eleven bands have picked August 21st for a release date. Goddamn.

 

Notable Debuts: 

Breaking Benjamin, Dark Before Dawn (Hollywood) #1, 135,450 sold

The band tops everyone with their first album following an extended hiatus.

 

Lindemann, Skills In Pills (Warner Bros.) #54, 4,600 sold

The Rammstein frontman has a solid debut for his first solo album.

 

August Burns Red, Found In Faraway Places (Fearless) #59, 4,200 sold

The band’s seventh studio album doesn’t quite match the debut of its predecessor.

 

Refused, Freedom (Epitaph) 1,075 sold

After 17 years, a new Refused album has finally arrived. Bask.

 

Outlands, Grave Mind (Tragic Hero) 650 sold

The debut album of this San Diegoite (San Diegoin? San Diegon?) metalcore band.

 

 

Notable Sales:

Kid Rock, First Kiss (Warner Bros.) #75, 3,575 sold

This sold nearly the same amount as last week. I feel like I need to follow people around ringing a bell and yelling “Shame!”

 

High On Fire, Luminiferous (eOne) #102, 2,700 sold

This doesn’t drop too far with a second week drop of 55%.

 

Halestorm, Into the Wild Life (Atlantic) #116, 2,450 sold

A drop of 20% for the album with no relation to the book or movie of a similar name.

 

Slipknot, .5: The Gray Chapter (Roadrunner) #165, 1,700 sold

A drop of 23%, but it’ll likely pick up some tour bumps later this month.

 

Tremonti, Cauterize (Fret12) #166, 1,700 sold

Wounded by drop of 46%.

 

Hundredth, Free (Hopeless) #183, 1,550 sold

This manages to have a sturdy second week with only a 7% drop.

 

Faith No More, Sol Invictus (Ipecac) #184, 1,550 sold

A few more weeks until this hits 50,000 sold.

 

Foo Fighters, Sonic Highways (RCA) #187, 5,575 sold

A tiny drop of 5%.

 

Our Last Night, Younger Dreams (Self-Released) 800 sold

This takes a second week tumble of 84%.

 

Babymetal, Babymetal (VAP Japan) 800 sold

A 57% drop after the US physical debut.

 

Armored Saint, Win Hands Down (Metal Blade) 640 sold

A 42% drop punches through the armor.

 

iwrestledabearonce, Hail Mary (Artery) 430 sold

This throws a hail mary down the charts for a 90% drop.

 

Full Devil Jacket, Valley of Bones (eOne) 390 sold

A 23% drop? What the devil?

 

Amaranthe, Massive Addictive (Spinefarm) 310 sold

A 17% drop, but nearly at 20,000 sold.

 

Lucifer, Lucifer I (Rise Above) 280 sold

A 60% drop in week two.

 

Silent Planet, The Night God Slept (Solid State) 280 sold

A 55% boost brings this back up.