Rob Zombie achieves his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart as his new studio album, The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Conspiracy Theory, debuts atop the tally (dated March 27).
The set was released on March 12 via Nuclear Blast and launches with 26,000 copies sold in the U.S. in the week ending March 18, according to MRC Data.
Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart ranks the top-selling albums of the week based only on traditional album sales. The chart’s history dates back to May 25, 1991, the first week Billboard began tabulating charts with electronically monitored piece count information from SoundScan, now MRC Data. Pure album sales were the measurement solely utilized by the Billboard 200 albums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart switched to a methodology that blends album sales with track equivalent album units and streaming equivalent album units. The new March 27-dated chart (where Lunar debuts to No. 1) will be posted in full on Billboard’s website on March 23. For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.
Lunar’s arrival at No. 1 continues Zombie’s hot streak on the tally, as all seven of his solo studio albums have reached the top 10. It follows Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser (No. 5 in 2016), Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor (No. 7, 2013), Hellbilly Deluxe 2 (No. 8, 2010), Educated Horses (No. 5, 2006), The Sinister Urge (No. 8, 2001) and Hellbilly Deluxe (No. 5, 1998).
Of Lunar’s starting sum of 26,000 sold, physical album sales comprise 20,000 of that figure (CDs: 13,200; vinyl LPs: 6,500 and cassettes: 300). The remaining 6,000 were digital albums.
The album’s CD sales were enhanced by the availability of a special edition of the set, packaged in a retro cardboard longbox. Lunar was also sold on multiple colored vinyl LP variants, helping the title debut at No. 1 on the Vinyl Albums chart.
Not only is Lunar the first No. 1 on Top Album Sales for Zombie, but also the first for Nuclear Blast. The label previously topped out at No. 2 with Slayer’s Repentless on the chart dated Oct. 3, 2015.
Lunar also bows at No. 1 on Independent Albums and Tastemaker Albums. The latter list ranks the top-selling albums of the week at independent and small chain record stores, and Lunar sold 6,300 copies through those retailers. On the Billboard 200 chart, Lunar starts at No. 9 – the seventh top 10 for Zombie.
At No. 2 on Top Album Sales, Nick Jonas’ Spaceman debuts with 16,000 sold. It’s his fourth solo top 10 on the tally. Selena Gomez’s first Spanish-language project, Revelación, bows at No. 3 with 14,000 sold. It’s her seventh top 10.
Taylor Swift’s former No. 1 Folklore jumps 13-4 with 10,000 sold (up 130%). Meanwhile, her more recent album, Evermore (another former No. 1), also bounces back into the top 10. It rises 25-9 with a little over 6,000 sold (up 88%). Both albums are basking in the glow of Swift’s performance and win on the Grammy Awards (March 14). Folklore took home album of the year, while Swift performed a three-song medley of Folklore’s “Cardigan” and “August,” and her Evermore single “Willow.”
Rock band Lake Street Dive debuts at No. 5 on Top Album Sales with their latest release, Obviously, selling 10,000 copies. It’s the second top 10 for the act, who previously reached the region with 2018’s Free Yourself Up (No. 4). The rest of the top 10 is comprised of albums all seeing sales gains thanks to exposure on the Grammy Awards.
Billie Eilish’s previous leader When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? is pushed down 4-6 on Top Album Sales, despite a gain, due to the number of debuts ahead of it. When We All Fall Asleep sold 8,000 copies – up 37%. Eilish performed the non-album track “Everything I Wanted” on the Grammys, which also won the record of the year award.
Harry Styles’ former No. 1 Fine Line moves 8-7 with 7,000 sold (up 27%), following Styles’ Grammy performance of the album’s “Watermelon Sugar.” The tune took home the award for best pop solo performance.
Black Pumas log their best sales week yet, as the band’s self-titled album vaults 39-10 (matching its previous chart high) with nearly 7,000 sold (up 156%). On the Grammys, the act performed the album’s “Colors,” which was also nominated for record of the year and best American roots performance.
Rounding out the new top 10 is BTS’ former No. 1 Be, falling 6-10 with 6,000 sold (up 3%). The group performed the Grammy-nominated “Dynamite” on the Grammys.
