Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
As you start to look at the charts this week, you’ll notice two things: 1) There were a shit ton of albums that debuted this week, and 2) HIM is our top debut. Alright, the second thing will probably overshadow the first and make people rush to their keyboards ready to complain. Because that’s what metalheads do, right? We’re all about dismissing bands that get top honors over other bands that we deem to be more qualified, better, etc. It’s been happening as long as metal has been around. But just to add my two cents (and since I essentially use this opening paragraph as a soapbox anyway), I think it’s important to spend more time praising the bands you actually like rather than being that one than being the 1 millionth person to make a Youtube comment along the lines of “THIS BAND SUX.” So, go look for the bands you like on the charts and be happy (or disappointed) about how they did this week.
Notable Debuts:
HIM, Tears on Tape (Razor & Tie) #15, 20,200 sold
The band that somehow has enough material to a greatest hits album is back with the eighth record and their first release on Razor & Tie. And it sold more albums than LL Cool J’s new one, which only sold 14,000.
Deep Purple, Now What?! (Eagle Rock) #105, 4,000 sold
The band’s first album in seven years, the album also features two songs dedicated to founding member Jon Lord who died last year.
Famous Last Words, Two-Faced Charade (Invouge) #146, 2,650 sold
This isn’t too bad for a debut record from a hardcore band I’ve never heard of before.
Avantasia, The Mystery of Time (Nuclear Blast) 1,900 sold
This is the sixth full length from the German symphonic metallers that features an orchestra, the German Film Orchestra Babelsburg to be exact.
The Ocean, Pelagial (Metal Blade) 1,775 sold
The sixth release for the band is a concept album that is based on different layers of the ocean. You can’t really get more metal than that.
Amorphis, Circle (Nuclear Blast) 1,600 sold
The eleventh album from this Finnish band is at number one in their native country. Take that, HIM.
Melvins, Everybody Loves Sausages (Ipecac) 1,600 sold
Melvins have put out an album of cover songs that ranges from Venom to The Kinks. And we know that Troy from Mastodon picked up a copy.
Heaven Shall Burn, Veto (Century Media) 1,175 sold
Album number seven from Heaven Shall Burn, this album also features a Blind Guardian cover.
Arsis, Unwelcome (Nuclear Blast) 1,000 sold
The fifth album from the melodic death metallers has a pretty bitchin’ cover of “Sunglasses At Night”.
Cathedral, The Last Spire (Metal Blade) 920 sold
This will supposedly be the last album from doom giants Cathedral.
Howl, Bloodlines (Relapse) 590 sold
The second album from Howl features some awesome album art. You might even have won it.
Toxic Holocaust, From the Ashes of Nuclear Destruction (Relapse) 470
A greatest hits album from the death metal band that apparently “mutated into existence” according to their bio. Sorta like the Ninja Turtles.
Ark of the Covenant, Self Harvest (Facedown) 310 sold
Not to be confused with the object seen in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Notable Sales:
Rob Zombie, Venemous Rat Regeneration Vendor (T-Boy/UMe) #21, 14,475 sold
Only two weeks and this album has sold just under 50,000 copies.
Volbeat, Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies (Universal Republic) #66, 6,125 sold
For whatever reason, I thought that “My Body” was a perfect song for Volbeat to cover before I even heard it. Over 66,000 sold for the Danish rockers, and only an 18% drop in their fourth week.
Device, Device (Warner Bros.) #77, 5,250 sold
How’d you get Serj Tankian and Geezer Butler on the same track? Over 55,000 sold.
Stone Sour, House of Gold & Bones Part 2 (Roadrunner) #98, 4,200 sold
A 25% drop this week, but Corey Taylor is already flying high with his “Best Vocalist” Golden Gods award.
Killswitch Engage, Disarm The Descent (Roadrunner) #101, 4,125 sold
Looks like Killswitch are gonna have to start looking for new touring partner in place of As I Lay Incarcerated (too soon?).
Halestorm, The Strange Case Of… (Atlantic) #119, 3,300 sold
55 weeks later and this album continues to sell more.
Bring Me The Horizon, Sempiternal (Epitaph) #92, 4,300 sold
With 47,000 total, the 50,000 mark isn’t too far over the horizon.
Shinedown, Amaryllis (Atlantic) #137, 2,850 sold
This has now broken the 400,000 mark.
Kid Rock, Rebel Soul (Atlantic) #145, 2,700 sold
The 500,000 mark isn’t too far off for this album.
Various Artists, Rock of Ages Soundtrack (Water Tower Music/Warner Bros.) #152, 2,525 sold
The people who listen to this are probably the same people who buy the soundtrack to Glee.
In This Moment, Blood (Century Media) #162, 2,375 sold
This got a very tiny boost this week.
Queensryche, Frequency Unknown (Cleopatra) #173, 2,275 sold
And a big 59% second week drop for Geoff Tate and company.
Ghost B.C., Infestissumam (Loma Vista/Republic) #176, 2,225 sold
I got this confused with Ghostface Killah for a second. Imagine that if you will. Over 21,000 sold.
Bullet For My Valentine, Temper Temper (RCA) #180, 2,150 sold
With a small boost this week, this album crawls closer to the 100,000 mark.
Black Veil Brides, Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones (Lava/Universal Republic) #184, 2,100 sold
Between winning a Golden God award and this album crossing the 100,000 mark, maybe the hate for the band will subside. Then again, maybe not.
Crown The Empire, The Fallout (Rise) 490 sold
A 15% boost brings this album to over 27,000 sold.
Otherwise, True Love Never Dies (Century Media) 790 sold
A 46% drop, but this has now sold over 40,000 total.
Texas Hippie Coalition, Peacemaker (Carved) 340 sold
Back on the charts once again with guns semi blazing.
Within The Ruins, Elite (eOne) 310 sold
A 14% drop can ruin someone’s day.
