Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
The Tool news cycle over the past 2 to 3 weeks has progressed thusly: Tool’s new album is c
oming out; Tool’s new album is
out; Tool’s
new album is
great; Tool are going on
tour; Tool’s new album might debut at #1 and knock Taylor Swift’s new album down to #2; Taylor Swift fans don’t know who Tool is; Tool’s album is #1. That’s the most varied press Tool have gotten in years.
Yes, Fear Inoculum is #1 on the charts and will likely stick around the Billboard for a while, and I’m happy about that. And yes, it’s pretty cool that it beat out Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and Sheryl Crow for the #1 spot. I just have one small request of you all: please don’t go around the Internet (or real life for that matter) and start ripping into Taylor Swift fans. Look, I got a chuckle out of those posts from T-Swift fans freaking about about this old 90’s band called Tool with scary 10 minute songs, and I don’t much care for her or her music. But you don’t need to be a dick to teenage girls or anyone else in Swift’s fanbase. It’s fine if you can’t stand her, her music, or if you just hate pop in general. But people like her music, and it’s okay to just let people like it. Don’t be that metalhead.
Debut #1
247,550 sold
What else is there to say? The album is finally here, it’s great, and it’s #1.
Debut #15
5,175 sold
The band’s third album is its highest charting yet.
Debut #38
2,475 sold
This live album has been released on vinyl and streaming services.
This is the band’s sixth album and the first release after the death of guitarist Brian Doherty.
Debut #116
830 sold
This is Tarja’s fifth album not counting her classical and Christmas albums.
Hesitation Wounds,
Chicanery (Deathwish Inc.)
Debut #144
680 sold
This is the second album from the hardcore punk supergroup.
640 sold
This is the supergroup’s first live album, which features several covers in addition to original material.
530 sold
This is a remaster of the band’s 2013 album.
410 sold
This is the band’s second album.
360 sold
This is the band’s seventh album, releasing only a year and a half after its predecessor.
360 sold
This EP is a follow-up to the band’s debut album from last year.
350 sold
This is the band’s third album.
This is the Italian band’s tenth album.
140 sold
This is the band’s first live album under the moniker Riot V and their first live album in 20 years.
#8 (from #9)
8,000 sold
Still in the top 10 in week 3.
#31 (from 13)
3,350 sold
A 47% drop.
#44 (from 31)
2,050 sold
A 29% drop.
#55 (from 50)
1,600 sold
A 19% drop.
#70 (from 5)
1,325 sold
A 91% second week drop.
Breaking Benjamin,
Ember (Hollywood)
#86 (from 84)
1,125 sold
A 2% drop.
#102 (from 185)
960 sold
This got a big boost of 70%.
After a few big boosts, this drops by 65%.
#129 (from 150)
760 sold
A 7% boost.
Godsmack,
Icon(Republic)
#135 (from 174)
720 sold
A 18% boost.
#174 (from 48)
600 sold
A 70% drop in week two.
Five Finger Death Punch, And Justice For None (Prospect Park)
#192 (from 187)
550 sold
Just under 200,000 sold.
#193 (from 196)
540 sold
A 2% boost.
#197 (from 157)
540 sold
A 20% drop.
400 sold
This got boosted back up after dropping off last week.
A drop of 80% in week two.
230 sold
A 75% second week drop.
200 sold
A big boost back up after dropping off a week ago.
200 sold
A 50% boost back up.
200 sold
A 57% drop in week two.
180 sold
Another album that got boosted back up this week.
A 33% boost back up.
A 76% boost back onto the charts.
This came out late last year, but has only just now come across my radar.