NEILSTEIN SOUNDSCAM: RISE AGAINST ARE KINGS, MASTODON THEIR PRINCES

A BON JOVI GREATEST HITS ALBUM IS STILL THE #2 “HARD MUSIC” ALBUM IN ALL THE LAND. What the fuck, people?!

Thankfully the #1 spot belongs to Rise Against, a band I don’t particularly care for but whom people seem to dig and at least seem legit. The huge number of units their new album shifted was good enough for #2 on the overall Soundscan charts too, behind Adele.

Mastodon’s live album and As Blood Runs Black’s new one had pretty solid debuts, while Devildriver and Children of Bodom continued to sell respectably.

1 RISE AGAINST – ENDGAME
Last week: 84,518 (debut)

Like I said, I really know very little about this band… but wow. Best selling hard music album debut of the year so far, I think.

4 MASTODON – LIVE AT THE ARAGON
Last week: 7,042 (debut)

That’s about what I’d expect for a live album, even from the mighty Mastodon. The uber-fans buy it but no one else cares.

7 AS BLOOD RUNS BLACK – INSTINCT
Last week: 4,629

WOW, I mean, I honestly had no idea this band had so many followers. Good for them, I guess.

10 CHILDREN OF BODOM – RELENTLESS, RECKLESS FOREVER
Last week: 4,225
Cume: 15,048

60% drop in week 2. I’m thinking that’s a pretty respectable number. Definitely one of Metal Blade’s bigger releases. [UPDATE: This release actually came out on Universal/Spinefarm, who hired Metal Blade to do the marketing.]

32 DEVILDRIVER – BEAST
Last week: 2,192
20,096

I continue to be astounded this album is selling, but in a good way… it’s a good record. I just didn’t realize Devildriver had so many fans.

92 FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND – WELCOME HOME ARMAGEDDON
Last week: 1,125 (debut)

Didn’t this band used to be really popular? Burn.

-VN