It’s Black Friday, but Metal Power Rankings don’t rest: Our weekly rankings take a number of factors into account: newsworthiness, record sales, internet buzz, word of mouth and overall importance in the genre. Ultimately, it’s subjective, but if a band generates enough buzz, they’ll wind up on the list. Slipknot return to #2, but are threatened by newcomer In This Moment.
1) Slipknot (last week 2)
In its fourth week, Slipknot still sold 10,000 copies of The Gray Chapter. It’s up to over 210,000 sold, and sold more than 40,000 more than the new Nickelback album did in its first week.
2) In This Moment (debut)
Maria Brink and friends have their first top ten debut ever with their fifth album. Looks like the jump to the majors paid off.
3) Megadeth (debut)
All had been pretty quiet on the Megadeth front recently. That is, until half of Dave Mustaine’s band up and quit on him.
4) Machine Head (last week 1)
A pretty steep 77% second week drop in record sales, but they’re still in the top 100.
5) Slayer (last week 4)
The tour rolls on, and hey, looks like an album is coming next year.
6) AC/DC (no change)
A video for the title track and a chance to hear the album early ensures that AC/DC’s large fan base will continue to know about Rock or Bust, which is out on Tuesday.
7) Metallica (last week 3)
Other than announcing that there’s another annual Giants day coming and they’d be headlining Reading and Leeds next year, it was a slow week for Metallica.
8) Lamb of God (no change)
Simply whispering about a new album is enough to keep Lamb of God right where they debuted last week.
9) Periphery (last week 7)
Two months until Juggernaut. *heavy breathing*
10) Five Finger Death Punch (last week 8)
It’s always a relief when enough metal bands have cool stuff happening that we can’t justify putting these commercial juggernauts any higher than #10.
11) Obituary (last week 14)
If your Thanksgiving turkey disappeared extra-fast this year, go listen to Inked in Blood to hear John Tardy spend his holiday eating your leftovers viciously.
12) At the Gates (last week 9)
Century Media is running a 25% off sale on vinyl for Black Friday! If you don’t have At War With Reality in the old-timey way yet, now’s your chance.
13) System of a Down (debut)
System of a Down finally unveiled more dates for a seven city arena tour, which is great news unless you live in the United States.
14) Foo Fighters (last week 7)
It’s fitting to hear that Dave Grohl learned some lessons in being gracious from Dimebag. The band’s album is still top ten, which happens when you have an HBO series to help promote it.
15) Bloodbath (debut)
A pretty solid album, a pretty solid debut, and a new famous singer.
On the bubble: Northlane, Soundgarden
Dropped off: Kyuss (15), Exhumed (14), Arch Enemy (9)
