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.
Well okay, the charts aren’t actually ruined (except for the fact that the soundtrack to Twilight is on it). There have been various boosts to certain albums this week and we’ve got some debuts from some pretty awesome bands from around the globe from Massachusetts to Finland to Norway to the Byzantine Empire (a.k.a. West Virginia). Take a gander at the numbers and keep in mind that the snark you might find written is not for our benefit, but for yours. Okay, it’s mostly for us.
Notable Debuts
Steven Wilson, The Raven That Refused To Sing (And Other Stories) (Kscope) #52, 9,975 sold
Quoth the raven, record sales galore.
Within The Ruins, Elite (Entertainment One) #112, 3,750 sold
The third album from this Massachusetts deathcore band is our top metal debut for this week and is also the band’s best debut yet. Sure, Porcupine Tree frontman Steven Wilson sort of qualifies as metal, but he’s probably disagree.
Stratovarius, Nemesis (Eagle Rock) 1,300 sold
Finnish power metallers Stratovarius have released their fourteenth album and is the first album since 1994′s Fourth Dimension not to feature Jörg Michael on drums.
Darkthrone, The Underground Resistance (Peaceville/Snapper) 1,175 sold
The legendary Norwegian metal band has put out their fifteenth album, which is probably selling better over in Norway.
Byzantine, Byzantine (Self-Released) 340 sold
The self-titled fourth album from the reunited Byzantine is their first album since 2008. Read more »
Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
It’s been approximately…never since my last confession. Actually, I don’t think anyone here at Metal Insider has ever made a confession that wasn’t preceded by downing a bottle of whiskey beforehand. Just kidding. We don’t have problems. Anyway, we will confess to you that there were some cool things to come up on the charts this week, with our top debut coming from a band newly added to Century Media and another band that is not Tool (sorry, resisting urge to to pine for new album) with a new EP. Take a gander at the charts this week, but first step into our confessions booth and admit to making yet another “Harlem Shake” video that the world didn’t ask for.
Notable Debuts
Buckcherry, Confessions (Century Media) #20, 17,875 sold
Buckcherry have put out their first release on Century Media and tops the metal charts for this week. Fun fact: the band wanted the album art to “encompass the subject matter of the record in an image that’s cool enough to be tattooed.” You can be the judge of that.
Puscifer, Donkey Punch The Night EP, (Puscifer Entertainment) #57, 8,000 sold
It’s not a new Tool album, but it is Maynard James Keenan. This EP has some covers of classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Ball To The Wall”. It’s got a good start for an EP.
Suffocation, Pinncale of Bedlam (Nuclear Blast) #129, 3,175 sold
New York death metal titans are back with album number seven. We’re just happy to see these guys on the charts.
Steven Wilson, The Raven That Refused To Sing (And Other Stories) (Kscope) #192, 2,275 sold
While Steven Wilson is best known as the frontman for Porcupine Tree, he’s made a name for himself with his many other projects, especially his solo work with album number three.
Shai Hulud, Reach Beyond The Sun (Metal Blade) 1,875 sold
It’s been about five years since Shai Hulud’s last album, and soon they’ll be out on tour with Thy Will Be Done.
Dark New Day, Hail Mary (Pavement) 870 sold
Album number three from the supergroup featuring Sevendust guitarist Clint Lowery among others. Actually, does a band with members of Skrape, Virgos Merlot and Stuck Mojo count as a “supergroup?”
Devourment, Concieved In Sewage (Relapse) 830 sold
The band’s first release with Relapse recieved praise from our own Chip McCabe. Read more »
Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
We here at Metal Insider are generally peaceful people and hardly get angry at anyone over anything. Unless you don’t like tacos, in which case get the hell out (just kidding, we love you all). But one thing that always makes us happy is seeing metal albums doing well on the charts. This week, metal enjoyed various boosts in sales, partially with thanks to the Grammys and partially for just being awesome (mostly). Our top debut this week is a Welsh band sending a message about anger, acceptence, and learning to deal with anger issues. Alright that’s kind of bullshit, I have no idea if that’s what the band intended.
Notable Debuts
Bullet For My Valentine, Temper Temper (RCA) #13, 43,475 sold
The Welsh metallers are back with album number four and takes the top spot for metal this week. It was probably clever thinking on the bands part to put this out the week of Valentine’s Day. Or maybe it’s just me trying to come up with a good joke about the band’s name.
Pissed Jeans, Honeys (Sub Pop) 2,200 sold
Hailing from Allentown, these hardcore punk/noise rockers have released their fourth album for the best debut of their career.
Notable Sales
Red, Release the Panic (Provident) #48, 13,850 sold
Someone panicked and made the album drop 67% in week two.
Kid Rock, Rebel Soul (Atlantic), #50, 12,300 sold
You rebel scum. This album has sold about 425,000 in a little over three months.
Led Zeppelin, Celebration Day (Atlantic) #71, 7,725 sold
A big 57% boost is certainly cause for celebration.
Coheed and Cambria, The Afterman: Descension (Hundred Handed) #73, 7,500 sold
This may have descended (a substantial 81%), but it has sold just under 50,000 copies in two weeks. Read more »
Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
Another year, another Grammy Awards Ceremony that most metalheads probably ignored in favor of something that wasn’t hosted by LL Cool J. Inevitably, a huge surge in sales for winners and nominees occured this week (except for a certain winner for best hard rock/metal performance, ironically). So you would think that, in a world full of Justin Biebers and Katy Perrys (see also: boobs), metal wouldn’t stand a chance on the charts this week, right? Wrong. Its actually been a pretty good week for metal, with one act appearing on the charts twice, and in the top 10 no less. Not too shabby, eh?
Notable Debuts
Red, Release the Panic (Provident) #7 (Provident) 41,500 sold
What would Jesus buy? Well, if he liked a somewhat generic rock band named after a color, he’d pick up this Christian rock band’s fourth album.
Coheed and Cambria, The Afterman: Descension (Hundred Handed) #9, 40,600 sold
Even Grammy sales boosts couldn’t stop Coheed and Cambria from making their way into the top 10 this week. This debuted only slightly lower than Ascension, but that’s irrelevent when you consider a) how good of a debut this is post-Grammys and b) Ascension is on the charts as well.
Silverstein, This Is How The Wind Shifts (Hopeless) #59, 8,925 sold
Album number seven from this post-hardcore act breaks into the top 60 and is also the first not to feature long time guitarist Neil Boshart.
The Bronx, The Bronx IV (ATO) #147, 3,100 sold
The Bronx are back with what is actually album number six for them, with the previous two albums bearing the names of the band’s alter egos, Mariachi El Bronx. Read more »
Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
In the metal community, we usually aren’t the types that cross our fingers hoping that our favorite bands get a big debut on the charts. This is mostly because a) we don’t always expect it, and b) we care more about just getting it and finally listening to the damn thing. Yet, some kind of divine purpose was set upon the charts this week, both literally and figuratively. Our top debut cracked the top 20 this week and various other bands have gotten strong boosts in sales. And with that, I implore you to check out the sales for this week and apologize in advance for the various jokes about divinity and shit that will be made in the coming weeks.
Notable Debuts
Hatebreed, The Divinity of Purpose (Razor & Tie) #20, 17,450 sold
Album number six from Hatebreed is our top debut this week, and it’s a good start. It’s their highest-charting debut ever. To go along with it, you might consider checking out our interview with Frank Novinec if you haven’t already.
Tomahawk, Oddfellows (Ipecac) #66, 5,675 sold
This supergroup has their best debut on the charts ever with album number four. It’s also their first album since 2007′s Anonymous.
Cult of Luna, Vertikal (Destiny) 550 sold
Hailing from Sweden, Cult of Luna bring you album number six which, like most of their discography, has been very well received thus far. Read more »
Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
Sometimes the historical impact of songs are less about how good they are and more about how the take you back to a certain time in your life. Take the band who made out to be the top debut this week for example: their big hit came out in 2002, back when I was in middle school. It brings back fond memories of puberty, failing math class, school lunches that made Pizza Hut look like a goddamn utopia of classy cuisine, and endless homework that had zero bearing on where I’ve ended up. Wow, actually 2002 kind of sucked. Thanks alot Trapt. Alright, forget everything I just said and take a gander at the charts for this week.
Notable Debuts
Trapt, Reborn (FOF) #44, 8,700 sold
Apparently, people missed Trapt as they take the top spot on debuts for this week. Why exactly they went with the name Reborn is lost on me, but whatever.
Love and Death, Between Here & Lost (Tooth & Nail) #90, 4,200 sold
The debut album from Brian”Head” Welch and company makes its way onto the charts. On the subject of the album, Welch is quoted saying “…the end result is a very real, raw & honest record.” Really? I mean, if you consider a cover of Devo’s “Whip It” to be “real, raw, and honest”, then you’re right on target I guess…
Helloween, Straight Out Of Hell (The End) #92, 4,150 sold
The classic German power metallers are back with album number 14, which, funnily enough, is their first album to actually use the word “hell” in the title. Huh. Anyway, between Helloween and another band that debuted an album this week, it looks like power metal fans will be satisfied for a while.
Otep, Hydra (Victory) #134, 2,850 sold
The latest album from Otep didn’t debut as well as its predecessor, but makes it into the top 150 nonetheless.
Voivod, Target Earth (Century Media) 1,500 sold
Album number 16 from Voivod is also the first to feature Jean-Yves Thériault on bass since Angel Rat in 1991 now that Jason Newsted has his own thing going on.
Holy Grail, Ride The Void (Prosthetic) 1,400 sold
Guitar pyrotechnics abound on Holy Grail’s sophomore album, which sold more than twice what their debut sold. Nice start! Read more »
Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
Every time I see a new Kidz Bop commercial, I die a little inside. Every time I see a Kidz Bop album anywhere on the charts (let alone top 10) I pretty much spit fire. I know, I know, you don’t come here to hear about such abominations, but at least we share a common feeling towards those awful cash-ins. And that’s why I find that the album title of this week’s top metal debut is rather relatable to my wanting to spit fire at the Kidz Bop kids. But first I have to figure out how to hold gasoline in my mouth without it tasting like ass.
Notable Debuts
The Plot In You, Could You Watch Your Children Burn (Rise) #96, 3,600 sold
This Ohio metalcore act takes the spot of top metal debut for this week. It’s also album number two for mainman Landon Tewers (who apparently does almost everything on the album) and company.
Ice Nine Kills, The Predator (self) 1,475 sold
Looks like the crowd-funding model works if your fans are passionate enough. We’d like to think that us writing about it might be responsible for at least 10 sales. And maybe another 10 confused fans might have thought they were buying an Ice Cube album or a Schwarzenegger movie.
Mors Principium Est, …And Death Said Live (AFM) 260 sold
The fourth album from this Finnish melodic death metal band is their first album since 2007 and also the first to feature a new pair of guitar players.
Notable Sales
Hollywood Undead, Notes from the Underground (A&M/Octone) #31, 13,050 sold
It’s a somewhat typical second week drop of 75% for this album
Black Veil Brides, Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones (Lava/Universal Republic) #41, 10,000 sold
These wild ones also had a typical second week drop. Read more »
Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
Finally, we’ve got some new debuts for you in 2013. This week, the top 2 debuts are also the top 2 albums for metal this week and they are in the top 10 overall. These albums come courtesy of a mask wearing band (not Slipknot) and mascara wearing band (not Alice Cooper). So, if a band ever decided to wear both masks and mascara, would they sell a lot of albums? Probably not, because it would be kind of stupid to put on makeup then put a mask over it.
Notable Debuts
Hollywood Undead, Notes from the Underground (A&M/Octone) #2, 52,700 sold
And so the first metal debut of 2013 is Hollywood Undead’s third studio album. Given, this debut sold fewer than the debut of their second album, but it’s still a solid start. You might remember the band putting out a video for the song “We Are”, which was directed by fellow band-who-wears-masks member M. Shawn Crahan, aka Clown of Slipknot.
Black Veil Brides, Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones (Lava/Universal Republic) #7, 42,400 sold
Looks like people were so in need for a rock opera concept album that the went and bought Black Veil Brides’ latest effort. The concept in question revolves around a group called (you guessed it) The Wild Ones and their fight against an organization called F.E.A.R. (presumably unrelated to the video game). There’s also a film adaptation called Legion of the Black, if you wanted to know.
Newsted, Metal EP (Chophouse) #62, 6,200 sold
Jason Newsted is back with an EP that probably took him all of 5 minutes to name. It’s cool that this is seeing sales even just as an EP (or maybe people just really wanted Jason’s handwritten lyrics). Also, I’m predicting that Newsted’s next release will be titled…Heavy. Good thinking, right?
Philip Anselmo/Warbeast, War Of The Gargantuas (Housecore) 1,120 sold
This split offers our first taste of Anselmo’s solo debut. And from what the former Pantera singer told us, the rest of the album is even more extreme sounding than the two songs on this split.
Mutiny Within, Mutiny Within II: Synchronicity (Self-Released) 560 sold
Hailing from New Jersey, the band’s debut album was very well received, but after going on an indefinite haitus no one was sure when new material would be released. Lo and behold, the band have finally released their follow up. It’s good to see that, through all the trials and tribulation, the band were still able to put out new material. Read more »
Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
It’s the week after the week after Christmas, which means one thing for record sales: they’re going down! After the weeks of holiday shopping, followed by the redemption of iTunes and Amazon gift cards after Christmas, record sales are down across the board. There are no new debuts, since it was New Year’s Day last week, and almost no albums on the chart sold more than they did last week. This is it – the winter doldrums. But hey, congrats to Zeppelin, Kid Rock and Deftones, who have the only three metal/rock albums in the top 100.
Notable Sales
Led Zeppelin, Celebration Day (Atlantic) #38, 14,800 sold
Heart pretty much knocked it out of the park with their cover of “Stairway to Heaven” during Zeppelin’s Kennedy Center Honors.
Kid Rock, Rebel Soul (Atlantic), #40, 14,250 sold
Kid Rock has sold about 366,000 copies of this album in 7 weeks. It’s not bad, but probably not enough for him to buy a yacht called Chilin’ The Most and rock that bitch up and down the coast.
Deftones, Koi No Yokan (Reprise) #98, 5,300 sold
This has sold about 125,000 copies in 8 weeks so far. Not bad.
Soundgarden, King Animal (Universal) #106, 5,000 sold
Ready to feel old? It’s been 22 years since Badmotorfinger was released.
Read more »
Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
Trying to find a new metal album on the charts at this time of year is like trying to find a store that isn’t playing Christmas music: there’s at least one, but not whole lot of people know about it. That’s not meant to downplay Circle of Contempt’s new EP, which is our only notable debut. The only other bit of action going is the many albums that have received boosts this week (likely due to the holiday season), ranging from as low as 4% to as high as 68%.
Notable Debuts
Circle of Contempt, Entwine The Threads (Sumerian) 1,100 sold
The latest from Sumerian is an EP from this Finnish prog metal act.
Notable Sales
Led Zeppelin, Celebration Day (Atlantic) #21, 43,300 sold
Funnily enough, this live album doesn’t feature the song “Celebration Day”.
Kid Rock, Rebel Soul (Atlantic), #27, 37,200 sold
I promised myself I wouldn’t crack a joke about Kid Rock. Mostly because doing so would be redundant considering he’s, well, Kid Rock.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Dreams of Fireflies (On A Christmas Night) (Lava) #35, 28,250 sold
I used to think they said “balls of holly” instead of “boughs of holly.” The former now seems absurd in retrospect.
Aerosmith, Music From Another Dimension! (Columbia) #76, 10,800 sold
Fun fact: 4 out of 15 tracks involve some form of the word “love”.
Soundgarden, King Animal (Universal) #81, 9,950 sold
The band’s next music video is being directed by Dave Grohl a.k.a. the Superman of the music industry. Read more »
Posted by Matt Brown on Wed, Mar 6, 2013 at 3:18 pm
Metal By Numbers