The release of Asking Alexandria‘s new self-titled album this past December saw the band move around 22,000 units in the United States during its first week of availability, netting them the #27th position on the Billboard 200. Those sales were down considerably from that of the band’s 2016 album, “The Black“, which moved 30,000 units during its first week. That effort’s predecessor, 2013’s “From Death To Destiny“, saw the band’s peak thus far with 41,000 units moved during its first week.
Given that there was palpable excitement among the band’s fan base for the album due to it marking the return of singer Danny Worsnop to outfit, some may have felt the album would open a bit higher. However, as many a label can tell you, launching an album so close to the holiday season (the effort was released on December 15th) is always a gamble as well that no doubt impacted the numbers.
A report on the overall declining sales trend for the band filed by Rockfeed.net caught the eye of the band’s guitarist Ben Bruce, who responded publicly with the following tweets:
So @BrianStormMusic used the term “disappointing first week sales” in regards to our new album, which I find laughable! When compared to bands on our “level” we actually outsold most! We sold thousands more than expected in a rapidly diminishing musical format!
— Ben Bruce (@benjaminbruce) January 2, 2018
We are beyond proud of our first weeks sales and our streams (how most people listen to music now) are stronger than ever before! We knew we would chart lower on billboard charts than if we waited to release in January due to Christmas sales being dominated by pop/rap
— Ben Bruce (@benjaminbruce) January 2, 2018
We wanted to release our album at the end of the year and end 2017 on a high! So reporting that we are disappointed is a gross inaccuracy! We are beyond excited, beyond proud and ready for the most incredible year of our career so far ????
— Ben Bruce (@benjaminbruce) January 2, 2018
On a side note. No upset towards @BrianStormMusic. Just correcting and clarifying something that has been reported that is innacurate! We are proud and feel that our first week was a HUGE accomplishment within our career. Thank you guys for making it happen ??
— Ben Bruce (@benjaminbruce) January 2, 2018
