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

This week sees thirteen hard rock/metal related albums debuting. And while Evanescence’s third self-titled album debuts at the top of the charts, the real winner this week is Five Finger Death Punch. Not only has their third album American Capitalist cracked the top 5, but it also sells just under 91,000 copies. That’s almost double the amount of what their sophomore album War Is The Answer sold in 2009 (which ranked in at #7 with 44,000 copies sold). It’s an enormous accomplishment nowadays for any band to be able to sell as many albums as they did two years ago, let alone more. On top of that, Five Finger Death Punch accomplished this through an independent label, Prospect Park Records. No matter how you look at it, or whether you’re a fan of them or not, Five Finger Death Punch’s success is truly remarkable.

 

Notable Debuts:

Evanescence, Evanescence (Wind-Up) #1, 127,180 sold
Amy Lee and co.’s third album sells considerably less than what their last album The Open Door did in its first week (debuting at #1 with around 450,000 copies sold). However, considering the current state of illegal downloading, and that it’s been five years since the band released their last album, Evanescence still have a very strong opening.

 

Five Finger Death Punch, American Capitalist (Prospect Park) #3, 90,500 sold
2009’s War Is The Answer stayed on the charts for 92 weeks. Whether FFDP’s latest album will match that record is yet to be seen, but it’s off to a great start.

 

William Shatner, Seeking Major Tom (Cleopatra) #112, 3,730 sold
We can’t make fun of Shatner’s “Iron Man” cover and not mention how his rock covers album did in its first week. Plus, it does feature appearances from Zakk Wylde, Mike Inez, Ritchie Blackmore, and Michael Schenker.

 

Skeletonwitch, Forever Abomination (Prosthetic) #126, 3,300 sold
Though the thrash/black metal group’s fourth album is their highest ranking to date, it sells about 200 copies less than 2009’s Breathing The Fire (which sold around 3,500 copies and ranked at #151). Regardless, it’s a very solid first week for Skeletonwitch.

 

Charred Walls of the Damned, Cold Winds on Timeless Days (Metal Blade) 1,480 sold
The sophomore album from Richard Christy’s (Death/Iced Earth drummer and Howard Stern Show personality) power metal group falls slightly short of what their self-titled debut sold in its first week (around 2,200 copies).

 

I Declare War, I Declare War (Razor & Tie) 1,400 sold
Apparently this deathcore band got their name from either Jay Z’s tour or Pace Won’s album (depending on who in the band you ask).

 

Jeffrey Nothing, The New Psychodalia (Suburban Noize) 1,320 sold
The Mushroomhead co-singer’s solo album does better than we expected. Although, seeing Mushroomhead onstage with Gary Busey is still a little more surprising.

 

Wednesday 13, Calling All Corpses (Wednesday 13, LLC) 1,260 sold
A very strong first week for Murderdolls frontman’s fourth solo album. His upcoming tour with Vampires Everywhere! will likely help sales even further.

 

Threat Signal, Threat Signal (Nuclear Blast) 1,130 sold
A solid first week for the Canadian melodic death metal group’s third album, which sells slightly more than 2009’s Vigilance.

 

Redemption, This Mortal Coil (Inside Out) 1,070 sold
Did you get a chance to listen to the prog metal group’s latest album in our exclusive stream yet?

 

Trapped Under Ice, Big Kiss Goodnight (Reaper/Good Fight) 1,020 sold
A solid first week for the hardcore band, whose frontman you may not want to fuck with at a show.

 

Absu, Abzu (Candlelight) 520 sold
Not a great start for the black metal group’s sixth album.

 

This Is Hell, Black Mass (Rise) 490 sold
Anyone remember that “Black Mass” website that was counting down to some mysterious event this past Summer? Well it turns out it was a countdown for the hardcore/thrash group’s fourth album. 

 

Notable Sales:

Chickenfoot, Chickenfoot III (eOne) #54, 7,070 sold
The supergroup experiences a 41% decrease in sales in their third week, kicking them out of the top 50.

 

Staind, Staind (Atlantic) #65, 6,020 sold
Anyone else wondering what’s the deal with this album’s cover?

 

Mastodon, The Hunter (Reprise) #75, 5,450 sold
Another 42% decrease for Mastodon in their third week on the charts. And now we can say we’ve seen the band perform “Curl Of The Burl” and “Black Tongue” live on TV.

 

Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA) #91, 4,590 sold
Somehow Dave Grohl and co. experience an impressive 22% increase in sales, jumping up the charts by 19 spots.

 

Blessthefall, Awakening (Fearless) #116, 3,630 sold
The post-hardcore group fall down the charts by 85 spots in their second week, thanks in part by a 68% decrease in sales.

 

Anthrax, Worship Music (Megaforce) #123, 3,350 sold
You still have until Friday (October 21) to enter for the chance to win a Worship Music LP signed by each member of Anthrax!

 

Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare (Warner Bros.) #158, 2,750 sold
What would you prefer: to be buried alive or to go see A7X’s Buried Alive Tour with Hollywood Undead, Asking Alexandria, and Black Veil Brides?

 

Primus, Green Naugahyde (ATO) #159, 2,700 sold
Another 17% decrease for the funk/prog rockers in their fifth week on the charts.

 

Machine Head, Unto the Locust (Roadrunner) #165, 2,660 sold
Another 42% decrease for Machine Head, falling 73 spots down the charts. We hate to say it, but this album is dropping down the charts faster than a ten ton hammer.

 

Dream Theater, A Dramatic Turn of Events (Roadrunner) #169, 2,600 sold
Sales continue to take a dramatic turn for the worse, with the prog metal legends experiencing another 17% decrease.

 

Kid Rock, Born Free (Atlantic) #186, 2,290 sold
It’s actually pretty remarkable to see how a musician can go from this to this within about a decade.

 

Hollywood Undead, American Tragedy (A&M/Octone) #188, 2,290 sold
Have you listened to this album and thought to yourself “Hmm, I’d really love to hear remixes of these songs”? Seriously?

 

The Devil Wears Prada, Dead Throne (Ferret) #191, 2,270 sold
The metalcore group fall 41 spots down the charts in their fifth week.

 

Volbeat, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (Universal) 850 sold
The Danish garage metallers have sold slightly more than 48,200 copies in 48 weeks.

 

La Dispute, Wildlife (No Sleep) 760 sold
A 76% decrease is enough to kick the post hardcore group out of the top 200.

 

Hell Or Highwater, Begin Again (Self-Released) 590 sold
After an impressive boost in sales last week, Atreyu drummer/co-vocalist Brandon Saller’s hard rock band once again slips down the charts with a 38% decrease.

 

Warbringer, Worlds Torn Asunder (Century Media) 480 sold
Have you checked out Warbringer’s first tour webisode yet?

 

Wolves in the Throne Room, Celestial Lineage (Southern Lord) 460 sold
Pretty much the same amount the black metal group sold last week.

 

Saxon, Call to Arms (EMI) 420 sold
Another 12% decrease for th NWOBHM legend’s.