Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.

You might not believe this, but the highest charting metal album this week comes from a band whose name is related to the act of punching or making a fist. And that band actually isn’t Five Finger Death Punch. Yes, 36 Crazyfists have returned in a week otherwise lacking in metal debuts with the exception of Aaron Turner’s (ex-Isis) new band and some early numbers for a trio of New Zealand brothers. Next week will be more hefty, but take a moment to review what we’ve got this week.

 

Notable Debuts: 

36 Crazyfists, Time and Trauma (Spinefarm) #80, 3,525 sold

With its first studio release in five years, 36 Crazyfists has nabbed its best debut yet.

 

Sumac, The Deal (Profound Lore) 570 sold

Aaron Turner’s latest project in his post-Isis career gets its debut.

 

Like a Storm, Awaken The Fire (Century Media) 270 sold

I have no idea who these guys are but they’re classified as hard rock/alt metal and they’re on Century Media. These numbers are also early and so aren’t considered the band’s actual debut.

 

 

Notable Sales:

AC/DC, Rock or Bust (Columbia) #30, 8,000 sold

A 45% drop with over 485,000 sold. They’ll have another in a long line of gold albums in less than three weeks.

 

Marilyn Manson, The Pale Emperor (Loma Vista) #54, 4,975 sold

A 32% drop isn’t so merry-lyn (was that too much of a stretch?).

 

Slipknot, .5: The Grey Chapter (Roadrunner) #83, 3,450 sold

A 28% drop, but this is close to the 300,000 mark.

 

Foo Fighters, Sonic Highways (RCA) #90, 3,150 sold

A 30% drop in week 15.

 

Papa Roach, F.E.A.R. (Eleven Seven) #110, 2,675 sold

I’m afraid this took a 32% drop.

 

In This Moment, Black Widow (Atlantic) #156, 1,975 sold

Over 90,000 copies sold.

 

Blind Guardian, Beyond The Red Mirror (Nuclear Blast) 990 sold

A 47% drop as this nears 10,000 sold.

 

Napalm Death, Apex Predator – Easy Meat (Century Media) 730 sold

This meats an 11% drop.

 

Marduk, Frontschwein (Century Media) 360 sold

Frontschwein translates to “front pig”, which is German slang for a soldier at front.

 

Amaranthe, Massive Addictive (Spinefarm) 340 sold

After a series of boosts, this takes a 14% drop.

 

Feed Her To The Sharks, Fortitude (Victory) 290 sold

How do you go from an album cover like this to one like this?

 

Erra, Moment of Clarity (Sumerian) 280 sold

Another boost, this time of 17%.

 

Stars In Stereo, Leave Your Mark (Hundred Handed) 240 sold

A 26% drop doesn’t bring this to the stars.

 

Venom, From The Very Depths (Spinefarm) 240 sold

A 21% drop can be toxic.