Archive | Metal By Numbers
Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
This week saw a lot of metal bands rank either higher than their previous release or for the first time ever. But the highest rock debut comes from Christian metalcore group The Devil Wears Prada’s new EP Zombie. This marks the band’s highest ranking release, though not by much. Though 2009’s With Roots Above Branches Below only ranked at #11, it did sell 31,000 copies, compared to Zombie’s 24,600. Whether or not this is a sign of weaker album sales, this is still a great first week for The Devil Wears Prada and all an all a good one for metal as well.
Notable Debuts:
The Devil Wears Prada, Zombie EP (Ferret) #10, 24,600
The EP’s theme surrounds a zombie apocalypse due to singer Mike Hranica’s interest in the subject. Well that wasn’t obvious. If you wanna get technical, Jesus was the original zombie. O.Z.!
Apocalyptica, 7th Symphony (Jive) #31, 12,900 sold
Their new record marks their highest chart appearance to date (2007’s Worlds Collide debuted at #59). The song with Gojira’s Joseph Duplantier is monstrous.
The Sword, Warp Riders (Kemado) #47, 9,000 sold
Their last album, 2008’s Gods Of The Earth only reached #102 on the charts (selling a little more than 7,400). So in other words, this truly is a great week for The Sword.
Blind Guardian, At the Edge of Time (Nuclear Blast) #105, 4,400 sold
The German power metallers sell over 1,000 copies more than their previous album, 2006’s A Twist In The Myth. A very good first week for them indeed.
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Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
Congratulations, metal! Between Black Label Society last week and Iron Maiden this week, the last two weeks have each had a metal record debut in the top five. If you take Avenged Sevenfold debuting at #1 into account at the beginning of the month, it’s been a pretty stellar month for metal releases. Sure, the overall sales for music have been horrible, with last week’s the lowest in Soundscan history, but at least some of the heavy stuff is being pushed higher than it would have a few years back.
Iron Maiden, The Final Frontier (UMe) #4, 63,000 sold
The 63,000 copies Maiden sold of The Final Frontier is more copies than they’ve sold of any of their albums since Bruce rejoined the band in 2000. In fact, each album since 2000′s Brave New World has sold better than the last. That’s amazing in this day and age.
Filter, The Trouble With Angels (Rocket Science) #63, 6,300 sold
This debuts right around the same place as their last album, 2007′s Anthems for the Damned, which came in at #60. Hey man, nice job.
Knights of the Abyss, The Culling of Wolves (Ferret) 450 sold.
This Arizona death metal band’s second album for Ferret has a relatively decent debut. They’ll be on tour with Cattle Decapitation following their own tour.
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Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
The title isn’t just referring to Black Label Society’s first week. It’s amazing that BLS’ first album in four years made it into the top five, making it the biggest rock debut of the week. However, it’s a sad sign when it only takes a little over than 33,000 copies sold to rank an album that high. How bad is that? Well let’s use Mr. Wylde and co.’s previous releases to explain. Order Of The Black may be their highest ranking album, but 2005’s Mafia sold 45,000 and ranked in at #15, while 2007’s Shot To Hell opened with 32,000 and ranked in at #21. This is great for BLS, but it’s a clear sign of how band the industry is really doing.
Notable Debuts:
Black Label Society, Order of the Black (E1) #4, 33,400 sold
Sales in general might be bad, but BLS’ solid first week shows that the Berserkers haven’t lost any momentum for the band. In fact, an uptick in sales from the last album in this day and age is an awesome trend.
Street Sweeper Social Club, The Ghetto Blaster EP (ILG) #144, 3,100 sold
This EP from Tom Morello’s project with Boots Riley boasts a cover of M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” that might make you want to take a cue from RATM and hold your own protest.
Bonded by Blood, Exiled to Earth (Earache) 600 sold
This young thrash band is going to be on the road non-stop until the end of December. Currently, they’re on tour with Exodus. Can you tell that these guys are fans of their headliner?
Notable Sales:
Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare (Warner Bros.) #10, 26,800 sold
After three weeks, A7X remain in the top ten. That’s amazing lasting power.
Buckcherry, All Night Long (Eleven Seven) #30, 11,400 sold
I wonder if All Night Long decreased by 59% because people realized it wasn’t this “All Night Long.” Read more »
Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
This week’s top metal debut goes to Buckcherry’s All Night Long. The sleaze rock band’s fifth album, and third since reforming in 2005, made it all the way to the top 10 and sold more than 27,000 copies. It’s an impressive first week, even though the first single “All Night Long” doesn’t capture the same poetic genius as “Crazy Bitch” or “Too Drunk.” Just goes to show you that America will always be in need of a new stripper anthem.
Notable Debuts:
Buckcherry, All Night Long (Eleven Seven) #10, 27,600 sold
Wait, the band’s video for “All Night Long” doesn’t feature any scantily clad women?!
In the Midst of Lions, The Heart of Man (Facedown) 1000 sold
This marks another Christian metal group that had a pretty good first week in sales this Summer.
Wretched, Beyond the Gate (Victory) 760 sold
They claim to have the bloodiest music video ever. After watching it, I’d certainly say they give Slayer a run for their money.
All Out War, Into the Killing Fields (Victory) 500 sold
A good first week for All Out War, especially since they may or may not still be signed to Victory Records.
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Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
It was reported last week that this would be the case, and we even discussed it further in our new column Headbangers’ Brawl. But now it’s official: Avenged Sevenfold has the #1 album in the country! Not the top metal debut of the week, but the top album period. This is such an accomplishment, for not only has a metal band dethroned rap juggernaut Eminem from the top, but because they sold 162,500 copies, almost 50% more than what their previous self-titled album sold in 2007. For any band to even sell around the same that their last album did in today’s climate is amazing, let alone do what A7X did.
Notable Debuts:
Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare (Warner Bros.) #1, 162,500 sold
This successful first week must be doubly sweet for a band that has truly gone through a painful year after the death of drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan.
36 Crazyfists, Collisions and Castaways (Ferret) #143, 3,300 sold
A very solid first week for the metalcore Alaskan’s fifth studio album.
Ivoryline, Vessels (Tooth & Nail) 1,500 sold
This band is currently on the Scream It Like You Mean It Tour with Metal By Numbers favorites We Came As Romans (who shockingly were absent this week on the charts for the first time in what feels like forever).
Decrepit Birth, Polarity (Nuclear Blast) 1,300 sold
Their new album came just in time for the Decibel Defiance Tour 2010 announcement.
Cruel Hand, Lock & Key (Bridge Nine) 500 sold
The hardcore Mainers make their presence on the charts slightly known.
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Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
This week’s biggest metal debut comes from newcomers Black Veil Brides, coming in at #36 and selling over 10,000 copies in its first week. Their debut full length album was produced by none other than Ozzy Osbourne bassist Blasko (whose Mercenary Management also happens to manage the band). Needless to say, whether you’re familiar with the band or not (we’re not), this is an extremely impressive debut.
Notable Debuts:
Black Veil Brides, We Stitch These Wounds (Standby) #36, 10,600 sold
You can get a taste of the band by checking out their new video for “Perfect Weapon.” Our first impression? Kinda like H.I.M. if they were a little more screamo.
The Acacia Strain, Wormwood (Prosthetic) #66, 6,300 sold
The Mass-core favorites seem to be making a big impact on the Cool Tour.
Impending Doom, There Will Be Violence (Facedown) #123, 3,800 sold
Good first week as the band prepares to hit the road on the Thrash and Burn Tour.
Lillian Axe, Deep Red Shadows (Love & War) 700 sold
Though he doesn’t sing on the New Orleans hard rockers’ new album, the band has just recruited ex-Metal Church singer Ronny Munroe to replace singer Derrick LeFerve.
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Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
This is one hell of a week for metal releases. Not only did big names like Korn and Hellyeah release new albums, but four new releases made it into the top 50 this week! The top ranking went to Korn’s newest album Korn III: Remember Who You Are, which ranked at number 2. Even though their first release for Roadrunner Records only sold around half as less than its predecessor Untitled, don’t consider it any less of a victory. Music in general is just not selling like it did in the past few years. Even Ozzy’s newest sold around half as less as its predecessor. So with the shape the industry is currently in, Korn has an especially awesome week.
Notable Debuts:
Korn, Korn III: Remember Who You Are (Roadrunner) #2, 63,000 sold
We might not be able to tell how successful the Krop Circle show was, but album sales certainly aren’t disappointing.
Hellyeah, Stampede (Epic) #8, 28,400 sold
The supergroup’s sophomore album sold just enough to rank one spot higher than M.I.A. HELLYEAH!
In This Moment, A Star-Crossed Wasteland (Century Media) #39, 10,500 sold
The metalcore band’s third release also marks its highest ranking on the chats. Mayhem Fest might just help out with sales as well.
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Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
If you hate the fact that Bret Michael’s new solo record has the biggest metal-related release this week, then you’ll hate that he does so with a country rock album. As displeasing as it might be, it isn’t too much of a shocker. Ever since suffering from a subarachnoid hemorrhage, making a heroic recovery and then going on to win this year’s Celebrity Apprentice, Michaels has been all over TV and magazine covers. Hell, he’s now even being considered as a replacement for Simon Cowell on American Idol! Who knew that an individual can go from being a hair metal singer to whoring yourself on Reality TV to becoming a well respected musical figure?
Notable Debuts:
Bret Michaels, Custom Built (Poor Boy) #14, 22,400 sold
The Rock Of Love star/Poison frontman’s latest solo release features a Sublime cover, a re-recorded country version of “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn” and a duet with Miley Cyrus. Poison is looking pretty heavy right about now eh?
How to Destroy Angels, How to Destroy Angels (The Null Corporation) #134, 3,500
As great of a response Trent Reznor’s new side project is getting, we probably won’t be hearing too much more from How To Destroy Angels for a bit. That is at least until Reznor and wife/band mate Mariqueen Maandig have their first child together.
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Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
This week’s highest new metal release comes from Parkway Drive. The Aussie’s third album Deep Blue has an extremely impressive first week, ranking in at #39 on the charts! Congrats are definitely due to the metalcore group, and with their upcoming stint on this year’s Warped Tour, don’t be surprised to see them continuing to do well. Speaking of which, it would appear that Warped Tour has been making a big impact on the charts this week, with a few bands appearing on the tour showing signs of increased sales. This includes an impressive debut from Haste the Day and sales spikes for Eyes Set To Kill and iwrestledabearonce (not to mention the crabcore and screamo bands finding its way on the charts). Guess the metalcore is getting some love at the touring Punk festival this summer.
Notable Debuts:
Parkway Drive, Deep Blue (Epitaph) #39, 10,750 sold
A great first week for a band that truly pushes boundaries. Don’t believe us? Have you seen the “Sleepwalker” video?!
Ted Nugent, Happy Defiance Day Everyday (Eagle) #57, 6,900 sold
The Motor City Madman’s new compilation album has an impressive first week. And seeing has how cheap the album is being sold for over at Amazon.com (was 76 cents per song in honor of 4th of July this past weekend), expect to see it keep selling.
Haste the Day, Attack of the Wolf King (Solid State) #69, 5,700
It might be the band’s first release without founding members Devin and Brennan Chaulk, but the Christian metalcore group has a good first week.
Papa Roach, To Be Loved: Best Of Papa Roach (Geffen) #77, 5,500
“Cut my life into pieces. This is my last resort …” Hopefully this will cause Melinda to have this song stuck in her head once again upon reading (sorry Melinda, I had to).
Mastodon, Jonah Hex: Music from the Motion Picture (Warner Bros.) #200, 2,500 sold
Literally just made it onto the top 200. Is it sad that we already had a hunch that this digital-only soundtrack would have a similar fate to its movie?
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Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
Not surprisingly, Ozzy Osbourne scores the highest rock related debut this week. Though the Price of Darkness’s new album is arguably his best in a long time, Scream sold just a little less than half of its predecessor Black Rain. Either way though, it’s still an impressive debut and ranking for Ozzy, especially considering other major releases from Eminem and Drake hitting the scene around the same time. Releases from Danzig and Vince Neil also have impressive debuts, making this week seem to be ruled by famous frontmen’s solo projects. It should be noted that the whopping 741,413 copies that Eminem sold is the most albums sold in a single week since AC/DC, way back in October of 2008.
Notable Debuts:
Ozzy Osbourne, Scream (Epic) #4, 81,500 sold
Even though Eminem’s sample of Black Sabbath’s “Going Through Changes” technically put Ozzy on top of the charts, you’ll still wish Mr. Shady left the song alone when you listen to it.
Danzig, Deth Red Sabaoth (Evilive/The End) #34, 11,700 sold
The Prince Of Darkness might have sold more copies in total, but the former Misfits singer actually sold more than him at New England record chain Newbury Comics. Great job for both Danzig and The End.
Vince Neil, Tattoos & Tequila (Eleven Seven) #53, 7,500 sold
Guess he’ll be talking a walk on the “Wild Side,” cuz it doesn’t look like he’s gonna be driving anywhere!
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Posted by Zach Shaw on Wed, Sep 1, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Metal By Numbers