Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
The last chart of 2021! It’s crazy how quickly this year flew by. Since taking over Metal By Numbers in July, it’s been a fun and consuming experience. Hopefully, 2022 will bring higher charting numbers for the metal bands we know and love. Volbeat tops this week’s charts with their Tobias/David Cross-looking album art. Enjoy the charts and I’ll see you in 2022!
Notable Debuts:
Volbeat, Servant Of The Mind (Republic Records)
Debut #12
10,375 sold
Eighth studio album produced by Jacob Hansen, Michael Poulsen, Rob Caggiano.
Of Mice & Men, Echo (SharpTone Records)
Debut #165
775 sold
Their seventh studio album does not have a strong debut week.
Skid Row, The Atlantic Years: 1989-1996 Box Set (Atlantic)
Debut #175
725 sold
A five-CD box set that includes all their albums from their early years.
Genocide Pact, Genocide Pact (Relapse Records)
Debut #182
700 sold
A gut-wrenching death metal album from Washington, D.C.
Epica,
The Browning, End Of Existence (Spinefarm Records)
550 sold
Missouri electronicore dropping their 5th studio album.
Tom Morello, The Atlas Underground Fire (Mom + Pop Music)
475 sold
Another 12-track record from the Rage Against the Machine guitarist. This collaboration includes Nathaniel Rateliff, Jim James, IDLES, Ben Harper, Alex Lifeson, Kirk Hammett, X Ambassadors, Barns Courtney, Manchester Orchestra, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, and more.
Eyes Set To Kill, Damna (Revival)
275 sold
Wolftooth, Blood & Iron (Napalm Records)
150 sold
Feel good heavy metal from Indiana. Recorded, mixed and mastered by longtime producer Jeremy Lovins.
Notable Sales:
Ice Nine Kills, The Silver Scream 2: Welcome To Horrorwood (Fearless Records)
#32 (from 142)
4,175 sold
Ice Nine Kills has a real nice week with a 295% jump. Perhaps their tour with Bad Omens, Currents, and Fame On Fire is helping sales?
Black Label Society, Doom Crew Inc. (Spinefarm)
#39 (from 25)
3,550 sold
Zakk Wylde and friends drop 58% in week two.
Greta Van Fleet, The Battle At Garden’s Gate (Lava/Republic Records)
#43 (from 70)
3,000 sold
The Michigan based band continue their excel on the chart with a 29% increase for week 34. Catch them of their 2022 Dreams in Gold tour.
Iron Maiden, Senjutsu (Parlophone Records)
#82 (from 94)
1,725 sold
Now Iron Maiden jump their chart position but sold the same amount as last week. Catch them on tour with Trivium and Within Temptation!
Mastodon, Hushed And Grim (Reprise Records)
#95 (from 86)
1,525 sold
Mastodon falls 19% in week five. Catch them on tour with Opeth and Zeal & Ardor!
King Crimson, Music is Our Friend: Live In Washington and Albany (GDM)
#99 (re-entry)
1,450 sold
“An official bootleg featuring all of King Crimson’s stunning final performance in North America at Washington DC in September, 2021 plus four pieces from KC’s intimate ‘Friends and Family’ first concert of the tour’s second leg in Albany.” – If you’re a King Crimson fan, check this out.
Foo Fighters, Medicine At Midnight(Roswell)
#112 (from 118)
1,200 sold
The Foo’s drop 8% but shouldn’t be worried considering their last week jump. Check them out on their North American tour.
Deep Purple, Turning To Crime (earMUSIC)
#122 (from 45)
1,125 sold
The iconic progressive unit and their 22nd studio album drop 68% in week two.
Mammoth WvH, Mammoth WvH (Ex1)
#136 (re-entry)
1,000 sold
WvH returns to the charts! Catch them at Welcome to Rockville!
AC/DC, Power Up(Columbia)
#143 (175)
900 sold
POWER UP 17%! AC/DC make their return known!
Exodus, Persona Non Grata(Nuclear Blast)
#146 (from 104)
900 sold
A 40% drop in week three for their eleventh studio album. Written over the pandemic, this is only the second album to feature Steve “Zetro” Souza since his 2014 return.
Black Veil Brides, The Phantom Tomorrow (Sumerian)
#161 (re-entry)
825 sold
Their sixth studio album returns to the charts with a 65% increase.
Dream Theater, A View From The Top Of The World (Inside Out)
#170 (from 185)
750 sold
Their 15th studio album witnesses a 4% increase.
Mouse Rat, The Awesome Album(DualTone/Entertainment 720)
#173
725 sold
Andy Dywer and Mouse Rat rise 29%.
Steely Dan, Northeast Corridor: Steely Dan Live (Interscope)
#189 (from 195)
675 sold
A 2% decrease in week eleven. These are the first Steely Dan albums without founding member Walter Becker who passed away back in 2017.
Hypocrisy, Worship (Nuclear Blast)
625 sold
The 13th studio album falls 33%.
Cynic, Ascension Codes (Season Of Mist)
500 sold
A 53% drop in week two. It’s Cynic’s fourth studio album and first to not feature late drummer Sean Reinert.
Archspire, Bleed The Future (Season Of Mist)
330 sold
A 25% increase in week 6. Produced, mixed, and mastered by Dave Otero.
KK’s Priest, Sermons Of The Sinner (EX1)
275 sold
A 3% increase for the profound and legendary guitarist.
Jinjer, Wallflowers (Napalm)
230 sold
A 2% jump for Ukrainian metalcore outfit. Check out their new video for “Disclosure!”
Sion, Sion(Independent)
220 sold
An unfortunate 87% drop for the amazing collaboration between the Light The Torch frontman, Howard Jones, and YouTube personality and skillful musician, Jared Dines.
Light The Torch, You Will Be The Death Of Me (Nuclear Blast)
200 sold
A 56% decrease after their long awaited return to the charts. This has to be from Howard Jones’ new SION album!
Rivers Of Nihil, The Work (Metal Blade Records)
200 sold
41% increase. Check out members of Rivers of Nihil on a new Monsters Around Us track.
Smith/Kotzen, Better Days EP (BMG)
200 sold
88% drop. Another EP in support of Record Store Day’s Black Friday event.
Obscura, AValediction (Nuclear Blast)
180 sold
A 36% drop in week three. Grab their cloudy yellow orange vinyl.
Khemmis, Deceiver (Nuclear Blast)
180 sold
The fourth studio album falls 35% in week three.
Wolves In The Throne Room, Primordial Arcana(Relapse Records)
200 sold
A 17% decrease. No love for Olympia metal.
Tom Morello, The Atlas Underground Fire ( Mom + Pop Music)
150 sold
It’s the second collaboration album by the Rage Against the Machine guitarist. Guest appearances include Bring Me the Horizon, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder and more.
All Hail The Yeti, Within The Hollow Earth (Minus Head Records)
150 sold
7-track EP with an interesting concept.
