Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.
While it’s a week jam packed with new releases, all eyes arguably are on Baroness. With all the buzz that has surrounded the group over the past few years, many wondered whether their adventurous new double album Yellow & Green would break them into a larger audience. Well, the results are in and it’s definitely looking good for the Savannah, GA group. BUT, they’re far from having the best metal debut this week. So read on to find out which metal/hard rock groups top the charts this week (hint: you’ll likely find yourself scratching your head upon reading).
Notable Debuts
Pierce The Veil, Collide With the Sky (Fearless) #10, 27,000 sold
Who are Pierce the Veil? That’s a question a lot of people are likely asking, as the band’s third album has an absolutely monstrous week on the chart. That might’ve had to do with Amazon having the digital version of the album on sale, the band being on the Warped Tour or a combination of the two, but this is one hell of an improvement on their 2010 album, Selfish Machines, which debuted at #106.
Hellyeah, Band of Brothers (Eleven Seven) #17, 19,000
While you’d think that the forced redneck schtick of Hellyeah (you’re from Illinois, Cud Chad) might have worn off by now, the band has a pretty solid debut with their third album. While the band’s first two albums debuted in the top ten, the drop-off from 2010’s Stampede (which sold 28,000) isn’t all that bad given the condition the music industry is in.
Baroness, Yellow & Green (Relapse) #30, 12,660 sold
The band’s last album, The Blue Record, debuted at #117. This is a marked improvement, which might have been helped by the positive reviews and coverage from non-metal outlets it’s been getting.
Mark Tremonti, All I Was (Fret12) # 31, 12,441
The guitarist of Creed has called this self-released album a place for his songs that were too heavy for Creed. And while no one’s going to confuse him with Cannibal Corpse, we’re inclined to agree.
Saving Abel, Bringing Down the Giant (eOne) #74, 6,000 copies
There’s a lot of people out there that like generic active rock, but it’s still a far cry from the #24 debut that their sophomore album, Miss America had two years ago.
The Contortionist, Intrinsic (eOne/Good Fight Entertainment) #107, 3,600 sold
The band’s second album has a stellar debut for a band that’s still relatively unknown.
For the Fallen Dreams, Wasted Youth (Artery/Razor & Tie) #143, 2,900 sold
The band’s first record for Artery has a higher debut than last year’s Back Burner. It’s as if every former member of the band bought a few albums.
Your Memorial, Redirect (Facedown) 1,300 sold
This Twin Cities metalcore band done sold some records.
Verse, Bitter Clarity, Uncommon Grace (Bridge Nine/Lumberjack) 1,075 sold
This formerly straight-edge band broke up in 2009 after bassist Chris Berg broke edge. Well, the first week sales of their “reunion” album should make him bust out the champagne!
Bury Tomorrow, The Union of Crowns (Nuclear Blast) 1,050
The band’s sophomore album and first for Nuclear Blast has a pretty good beginning for a British metalcore band. In other news, a British metalcore band seems like a bit of an odd signing for Nuclear Blast.
Notable Sales
Shinedown, Amaryllis (Atlantic) #22, 15,600 sold
A monster 257% increase pushes the band back into the top 25.
Various Artists, Rock of Ages Soundtrack (Water Tower Music/Warner Bros.) #53, 6,900 sold
A 40% drop this week for this album, who’s typical purchaser is someone we’d assume bought the album, but saw Magic Mike instead of seeing Rock of Ages.
Rush, Clockwork Angels (Roadrunner) #56, 6,500 sold
The time on the clock on the album cover (9:12, or 21:12 in military time) is the coolest easter egg to fans since the digital clock on Iron Maiden’s Somewhere in Time that reads “23:58.”
P.O.D., Murdered Love (Razor & Tie) #76, 5,400 sold
20,000 sold in two weeks isn’t that bad of a start for P.O.D.
Serj Tankian, Harakiri (Serjical Strike/Reprise) #94, 3,900 sold
A 66% drop isn’t too bad for Serj. If he’s selling this on the System of a Down tour, he’ll probably see his sales pick up in August.
Five Finger Death Punch, American Capitalist (Prospect Park) #105, 3,700 sold
Over 425,00o sold in 41 weeks, and showing no signs of slowing down. Yet I don’t know anyone that can say that they bought it.
Slash, Apocalyptic Love (Dik Hayd) #130, 3,000 sold
This sells about the same amount as it did last week, but at nine weeks, has yet to cross 100,000 (or even 90,000).
Sleeping With Sirens, If you were a movie, this would be your soundtrack (Rise) #134, 3,000 sold
26,000 copies in four weeks is pretty impressive until you remember that Pierce the Veil has sold that already.
Tenacious D, Rize of the Fenix (Columbia) #149, 2,750 sold
This should cross 100,000 sold next week.
Halestorm, The Strange Case Of… (Atlantic) #150, 2,700 sold
These guys do a pretty mean Skid Row cover.
Falling In Reverse, The Drug In Me Is You (Epitaph) #154, 2,700 sold
The drugs in lead singer Ronnie Radke might have been what helped land him in jail for two years.
Volbeat, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (Universal) #155, 2,650 sold
The best band to feature a King Diamond member in it since Motorhead.
Memphis May Fire, Challenger (Rise) #164, 2,500 sold
This should cross the 30,000 sold barrier next week.
Abandon All Ships, Infamous (Rise) 950 sold
This band comes from Canada by way of Italy. And they’re welcome to go back that way.
Otherwise, True Love Never Dies (Century Media) 875 sold
I wish these guys would do something other than sell respectably so I’d have another reason to write about them.
Nile, At the Gate of Sethu (Nuclear Blast) 850 sold
The band have sold just over 6,000 in three weeks, which is pretty solid for them.
Vampires Everywhere, Hellbound and Heartless (Century Media) 800 sold
Everywhere? Not like a few years ago. Maybe they should change their name to Superheroes Everywhere.
Glass Cloud, Royal Thousand (Equal Vision) 750 sold
Glass Cloud haven’t hit the glass ceiling yet, since a 61% drop in the second week is about normal.
Upon A Burning Body, Red. White. Green. (Sumerian) 540 sold
A solid 39% gain from last week proves that the Mayhem Fest is moving some units.
Dying Fetus, Reign Supreme (Relapse) 500 sold
The band’s album, Reign Supreme, sounds like something I’d order at Taco Bell. A dying fetus, not so much.
Kreator, Phantom Antichrist (Nuclear Blast) 500 sold
Hey guys, you spelled “Creator” wrong.
Delain, We Are the Others (Sensory) 400 sold
A mild 13% increase shows that there’s still a decent amount of interest in the band’s brand of gothic metal.
Memphis May Fire, Hollow (Rise) 390 sold
Memphis May Fire has another week with two albums on the chart. Who do they think they are, Adele?
