Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
All eyes were on Lulu this week. It’s taken a critical beating nearly everywhere, but the collaboration between Lou Reed and Metallica is still one of the most talked-about albums of the year. But while former bandmate Dave Mustaine might have shed a tear or two in Metallica’s Some Kind of Monster, he’s having the last laugh right now, as TH1RT3EN debuted far above Metallica’s experimental double-disc album with Lou Reed. In fact, for the first time that we can recall, Megadeth have crushed Metallica on the charts.
Notable Debuts:
Megadeth, TH1RT3EN (Roadrunner) #11, 41,840 sold
This is definitely a win for Megadeth. The second album with guitarist Chris Broderick sells only slightly less than the 45,000 that 2009’s Endgame did, and three times as much as their fellow Big 4-mates Metallica and Grandpa Simpson Lou Reed.
Lou Reed and Metallica, Lulu (Warner Bros.) #34, 13,190 sold
Granted, these are abysmal numbers for a Metallica record, but I’d argue that they’re actually quite solid numbers for a Lou Reed record, so let’s call it a draw.
Steel Panther, Balls Out (Universal) #38, 11,730 sold
While there are some that think that Steel Panther is nothing more than a joke, both of their records are actually full of virtuoso playing to match their ridiculous and sometimes hysterical lyrics. This is a win for metal, even if their first week doesn’t leave them poised to sell 4 or 5 million copies, like Satchel predicted.
Chris Cornell, Songbook EP 1 (Universal ) #119, 3,630 sold
The Soundgarden singer is releasing his acoustic live album unconventionally, releasing three EPs leading up to the full album release on 11/21.
Insane Clown Posse, Featuring Freshness (Psychopathic) #150, 2,890 sold
How dedicated of a gang fan base are the Juggalos, you ask? Well, they’ll even buy a compilation album featuring collaborations that the ICP recorded with other rappers.
Sick of it All, Nonstop (Century Media) 560 sold
A slow start for the New York hardcore legend’s collection of re-recorded classics, which vocalist Lou Koller discussed with us about not too long ago.
Vallenfyre, A Fragile King (Century Media) 360 sold
The UK death metal band’s debut full length album has a fragile first week on the charts.
Notable Sales:
Evanescence, Evanescence (Wind-Up) #28, 17,020 sold
Still in the top 30 despite a 21% decrease in their fourth week on the charts.
Five Finger Death Punch, American Capitalist (Prospect Park) #33, 15,470 sold
Also showing lasting power in their fourth week on the charts is FFDP, only three spots outside the top 30 thanks to a 10% decrease in sales.
Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA) #125, 3,440 sold
Dave Grohl and co. slip down the charts by 24 spots in their 30th week.
Chickenfoot, Chickenfoot III (eOne) #131, 3,290 sold
Despite experiencing only a 9% decrease in sales, Sammy Hagar and the gang drop down the charts by 17 spots. Maybe their performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! will give sales a boost.
Staind, Staind (Atlantic) #132, 3,280sold
A 19% decrease in sales is enough to kick the post-nu metal group down the charts by 36 spots.
Jane’s Addiction, The Great Escape Artist (Capitol) #135, 3,270 sold
Another 47% for Perry Farrell and the band, as they fall another 74 spots down the charts in their third week. At this point, though, nothing’s shocking.
Puscifer, Conditions of My Parole (Puscifer Entertainment) #136, 3,240 sold
Also experiencing a dip in sales in their third week on the charts is Maynard James Keenan’s (Tool, A Perfect Circle) side project, dropping 63 spots down the charts thanks to a 37% decrease. You’ll still have to wait, though, for a new Tool album.
Mastodon, The Hunter (Reprise) #147, 3,000 sold
In six weeks, Mastodon have sold a little more than 63,800 copies of their fifth studio album.
Primus, Green Naugahyde (ATO) #160, 2,740 sold
Out of know where, the funk prog rockers experience a 27% increase in sales, helping them jump up the charts by 33 spots.
Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare (Warner Bros.) #162, 2,690 sold
A7X drop back down the charts 23 spots despite a modest 7% decrease.
Anthrax, Worship Music (Megaforce) #179, 2,550 sold
The thrash legends experience a nice 12% increase. And now you can get this album for only $7.99 via iTunes during their “Greatest Metal Albums” sale.
Hollywood Undead, American Tragedy (A&M/Octone) #197, 2,200 sold
Despite only experiencing a 1% decrease in sales, the rapcore group drop down the charts by eight spots.
Volbeat, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (Universal) 1,406 sold
An impressive 42% increase for an album that will have been on the charts for a year next week.
Carnifex, Until I Feel Nothing (Victory) 980 sold
An about average 63% decline in the deathcore group’s second week.
Skinny Puppy, hanDover (Synthetic Symphony) 970 sold
Also experiencing a decent decline in their second week is he Canadian industrial group with a 69% decrease in sales.
Russian Circles, Empros (Sargent House) 790 sold
The Chicago instrumental rock trio also experiences a 58% decrease in sales.
Skeletonwitch, Forever Abomination (Prosthetic) 660 sold
Another 24% decrease for the blackened thrash metal group in their fourth week on the charts.
La Dispute, Wildlife (No Sleep) 490 sold
The post hardcore band have sold just under 5,800 copies of their latest album in five weeks. No disputing that.
Warbringer, Worlds Torn Asunder (Century Media) 430 sold
The thrash revival band are back on the charts after being absent last week. We bet they still wish their opening slot on Iced Earth and Symphony X’s North American tour would start sooner than February.
Wolves in the Throne Room, Celestial Lineage (Southern Lord) 390 sold
Another 18% decrease for the blackened thrash metal band.
Molotov Solution, Insurrection (Blkheart Group) 350 sold
It loos like this band will need a miracle to stay on the charts. Even a tour with Chimaira, Unearth, and Skeletonwitch might not be enough.
Black Tusk, Set the Dial (Relapse) 730 sold
A 55% decrease for the sludge metal trio shows that their stay on the charts might be coming to an end after only two weeks.
