Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
Last week, a news story circulated regarding Spotify CEO Daniel Ek and the issue of artists making little money from streaming. Ek was quoted as saying that artists “…can’t record music once every three to four years and think that’s going to be enough” and that “…the ones that aren’t doing well in streaming are predominantly people who want to release music the way it used to be released.” Now, I’ll agree that making and selling music ain’t what it used to be even 10 years ago let alone before the iPod came around. Artists have to evolve, but they aren’t machines. Some artists do have amazing output and that’s great, but it doesn’t work that way for everyone. And let’s not forget the fact that we’re still in the middle of a pandemic where artists can’t tour and albums have been delayed. I’ve said this a few times but I’ll say it again: if you have an album that you’ve streamed over and over on Spotify, consider actually purchasing it if you have the money. Platforms like Spotify and Bandcamp are great for discovering new music and getting to listen for free, but if you find yourself hitting play repeatedly with a few artists or albums, maybe they deserve a few bucks.
Notable Debuts:
Black Veil Brides, Re-Stitch These Wounds (Sumerian)
Debut #13
5,025 sold
This is a re-recording of the band’s debut album in honor of its 10th anniversary.
Dee Snider, For The Love Of Metal Live (Napalm)
Debut #75
1,075 sold
This live album was recorded during Snider’s tour supporting his solo album of the same name.
Oh! The Horror, Halloween 365 (WTTU)
Debut #82
1,025 sold
This is the hip-hop metal band’s debut album.
Alcatrazz, Born Innocent (Silver Lining)
Debut #145
640 sold
This is Alcatrazz’s fourth studio album and first since 1986.
Imperial Triumphant, Alphaville (Century Media)
Debut #146
620 sold
This is the band’s fourth studio album.
Mike Shinoda, Dropped Frames Vol. 2 (Kenji Kobayashi Productions)
Debut #167
530 sold
This is a follow-up to Shinoda’s solo album from a month ago.
Warkings, Revenge (Napalm)
Debut #187
450 sold
This is the band’s second album.
Septicflesh, Infernus Sinfonica MMXIX (Season Of Mist)
Debut #188
450 sold
This is the band’s second live album.
Katalepsy, Terra Mortuus Est (Unique Leader)
200 sold
This is the Russian band’s third studio album.
A 10% boost.
A 11% drop.
O’Brother, You and I (Favorite Gentlemen)
#105 (re-entry)
840 sold
This is back on the charts for the first time since it debuted in May.
Static-X, Project Regeneration Vol. 1 (Otsego Entertainment Group)
#128 (from 105)
720 sold
A 4% boost.
A 2% boost.
John Petrucci, Suspended Animation (Sound Mind)
310 sold
The 2005 debut solo album from Dream Theater’s John Petrucci has been released on digital platforms to build hype for his new album due at the end of the month.
Blood Incantation, Hidden History Of The Human Race (Dark Descent)
140 sold
A 118% boost back up.
Bell Witch & Aerial Ruin, Stygian Bough Volume 1 (Profound Lore)
140 sold
A 89% boost back up.
Currents, The Way It Ends (SharpTone)
120 sold
This gets a 46% boost after recently dropping off.
Tags: Alcatrazz, Bedsore, Black Veil Brides, Blood Incantation, Bush, Currents, Dance Gavin Dance, Dee Snider, Five Finger Death Punch, Grey Daze, Haken, Imperial Triumphant, In This Moment, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, John Petrucci, Judicator, Katalepsy, Lamb of God, Make Them Suffer, Metallica, Mike Shinoda, O'Brother, Oh! The Horror, Ozzy Osbourne, Pearl Jam, Primal Fear, Septicflesh, Slipknot, Static X, The Acacia Strain, The Hu, Thundermother, Tokyo Motor Fist, Tool, Warkings, Zombi
Categorised in: Metal By Numbers