EVANESCENCE nets second No. 1 album on Billboard 200 Chart

Evanescence returns to the Billboard 200 chart, scoring its second No. 1 album, as its self-titled third set bows with 127,000 copies sold according to Nielsen SoundScan. The act, led by singer Amy Lee, last released an album in 2006, when "The Open Door" debuted at No. 1 with 447,000.

The new set's first single, "What You Want," rises 15-13 on the Rock Songs airplay chart this week, while also holding a bullet at No. 17 on the Alternative Songs tally. The group's first album, 2003's "Fallen," spawned the Billboard Hot 100 hits "Bring Me To Life" (No. 5) and "My Immortal" (No. 7).

Last week's No. 1 album, "Clear As Day" from 2011 "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery, falls to No. 4 with 88,000 (down 55%). Adele's "21" holds at No. 2 with 111,000 (down 1%). 

Rock band Five Finger Death Punch scores its best week ever as its new "American Capitalist" album starts at No. 3 with 91,000. It's new chart high for the act and biggest sales week. Its last release, 2009's "War Is the Answer," jumped in at No. 7 with a 44,000 launch. 

A second 2011 "Idol" alum joins McCreery in the top five, as the woman he beat, runner-up Lauren Alaina, debuts at No. 5 with "Wildflower." The set shifts 69,000 in its opening frame. 

This is the first time since 2008 where both the winner and second-place finisher of "Idol" posted top five-charting albums (or top 10, for that matter). The last Nos. 1 and 2 placers to do so were '08 victor David Cook and runner-up David Archuleta. Their debut albums respectively bowed and peaked at Nos. 3 and 2, respectively. 

Ryan Adams' "Ashes & Fire" arrives at No. 7, selling 49,000 in its first week. It's the singer's second top 10 set, and first since "Easy Tiger" also debuted and peaked at No. 7 in 2007 off a 61,000 start. His last charting album, "III/IV," with the Cardinals, peaked at No. 59 on Feb. 5 of this year.

Lady Antebellum's "Own the Night" slips 4-8 with 47,000 (down 18%) while fellow country act Martina McBride arrives with "Eleven" at No. 10 with 40,000. The latter is the singer's sixth top 10 album and her first for the Republic Nashville label, after having spent her entire career on RCA. Her last studio release, "Shine," started at No. 10 with 41,000 in 2009. 

As for the rest of the top 10, Tony Bennett's "Duets II" shifts 3-6 with 54,000 (down 23%) and Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter IV" moves 6-9 with 45,000 (down 15%).

Outside the top 10, the next-highest debut is Joe Jonas' "Fastlife," which enters at No. 15 off an 18,000 start. He's the second member of the Jonas Brothers trio to go solo, following younger brother Nick, who bowed at No. 3 in early 2010 with "Who I Am" (82,000). 

Over to the Digital Songs chart, Adele's "Someone Like You" is steady at No. 1 yet again, with 207,000 downloads sold this past week (down 5%). LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It" rises 3-2 (206,000; up 13%) and Rihanna's "We Found Love" (featuring Calvin Harris) jumps 5-3 (174,000; up 21%). Foster the People's "Pumped Up Kicks" holds at No. 4 (174,000; down 1%) and Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger" slides 2-5 (166,000; down 11%).

The highest debut on the Digital Songs chart belongs to Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa's "Young, Wild & Free" (featuring Bruno Mars), which debuts at No. 6 with 159,000. It's the first single from the soundtrack to "Mac & Devin Go to High School," due out in December. 

Gym Class Heroes' "Stereo Hearts" (featuring Adam Levine), is pushed back 6-7 despite a sales gain (136,000; up 2%), as is David Guetta's "Without You" (featuring Usher), which moves 7-8 (129,000; up 7%). Cobra Starship's "You Make Me Feel" (featuring Sabi) returns to the top 10, rising 11-9 (107,000; up 26%) and Lady Gaga's "You and I" holds at No. 10 (96,000; up 6%). 

Overall album sales in this past chart week (ending Oct. 16) totaled 5.21 million units, up 1% compared to the sum last week (5.13 million) and up 4% compared to the comparable sales week of 2010 (5.01 million). Year to date album sales stand at 238.84 million, up 3% compared to the same total at this point last year (230.97 million). It is the 21st week in a row where year-to-date album volume is greater than the same time in the prior year. 

Digital track sales this past week totaled 21.34 million downloads, up 4% compared to last week (20.59 million) and up 8% stacked next to the comparable week of 2010 (19.71 million). Year to date track sales are at 993.66 million, up 10% compared to the same total at this point last year (899.68 million). 

Next week's Billboard 200 competes with the same week in 2010 when: Sugarland's "The Incredible Machine" debuted at No. 1 with 203,000 and Kings of Leon's "Come Around Sundown" started at No. 2 with 184,000. The top four also saw debuts from Elton John and Leon Russell's "The Union" (No. 3 with 80,000) and Rod Stewart's "Fly Me to the Moon" (No. 4 with 79,000). The previous week's No. 1, Lil Wayne's "I Am Not a Human Being," dropped to No. 5 with 65,000 (down 49%).

Source: Billboard | by Keith Caulfield, L.A