Welcome to Metal Power Rankings: 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. This week, Periphery, who moved around 35,000 copies of the combined Juggernaut albums, takes back the top spot.
1) Periphery (last week 4)
If the two halves of Juggernaut had been released together as one album, Periphery would have cracked the top 10 this week. Bulb and the boys have come a very, very long way.
2) Marilyn Manson (last week 1)
All reports are that Manson is putting on a dope show on his sold out tour. See what we did there?
3) Faith No More (last week 2)
Their tour pretty much instantly sold out, they’ve got a new album coming out soon, and it’s the ’90s all over again.
4) Slipknot (last week 3)
Sid Wilson tips well.
5) Napalm Death (last week 7)
Grindcore? In the top 100? It’s more likely than you think! Napalm Death’s co-headlining tour with Voivod is also leaving a big footprint during a quiet tour season.
6) AC/DC (no change)
They’re playing the Grammys this Sunday, and Rock or Bust is on the verge of going gold in the US. But who will drum?
7) Machine Head (last week 8)
The tour is killing it, and we’ve got pictures to prove it.
8) Anthrax (debut)
We finally get to hear a little bit of what the album sounds like, plus we got an exclusive interview with Jay Ruston.
9) Slayer (last week 10)
Well, they’re hard at work on their new album. Still.
10) Five Finger Death Punch (last week 11)
These guys continue their march towards gold for their The Wrong Side of Heaven… albums even as they’re talking about working on a new one.
11) Metallica (last week 14)
Metallica don’t even have to do much of anything other than vaguely promise they’re working on a new album to stay on here.
12) In Flames (re-entry)
As they continue to add more dates to their tour (as well as this week’s #1 band) , they’re also picking up some radio airplay.
13) Byzantine (debut)
Nobody beats the Byz! The band’s first new song from their forthcoming album was released this week, and it’s a monster.
14) 36 Crazyfists (debut)
The new album’s about to come out, and if you’re not keeping up to date on Brock Lindow’s “Snipe City” hockey column, you’re doing it wrong.
15) Blind Guardian (debut)
Given that nearly 300 people already bought the album even though it didn’t come out until Tuesday suggests that this will have a pretty big week next week.
Falling off: Limp Bizkit, Geezer Butler, Asking Alexandria, Megadeth, Zakk Wylde
