Alright, metalheads, it's your favorite riff-obsessed analyst, Alex "Riffmaster" Reynolds, back to dissect the SMR charts. This time, we're throwing down a head-to-head battle between the weeks of July 2nd and July 9th. Let's see who came out on top, who took a nosedive, and who's got the momentum to dominate the rest of the summer.
In the week of July 2nd, Billy Morrison, Ozzy Osbourne, and Steve Stevens' "Crazy Train" reigned supreme, holding onto the #1 spot with a vice-like grip. But Sleep Theory's "Fallout" was breathing down their necks at #2, and the tension was palpable.
Fast forward to July 9th, and "Crazy Train" still holds the top spot, but Sleep Theory is gaining ground, proving they are a force to be reckoned with.
While the titans clashed at the top, some underdogs seized the opportunity to make their mark. Shallow Side's "Filter" and Wage War's "Magnetic" both climbed the charts, proving that they're not just one-week wonders.
Shallow Side's grunge revival anthem jumped from #11 to #7, while Wage War's melodic metalcore powerhouse surged from #12 to #10. These bands are riding a wave of momentum, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them crack the top 5 soon.
Not everyone had a good week on the charts. Nothing More's "If It Doesn't Hurt" and Five Finger Death Punch's "This is the Way" both took a tumble, dropping out of the top 10.
Nothing More's anthemic track fell from #5 to #15, while Five Finger Death Punch's heavy hitter plummeted from #7 to #13. These bands are still powerhouses in the rock scene, but they'll need to regroup and come back stronger if they want to reclaim their former glory.
While some bands stumbled, others seized the opportunity to step into the spotlight. The Pretty Reckless' "Got So High" and Ayron Jones' "Blood In The Water" both made significant gains, proving that they're forces to be reckoned with.
The Pretty Reckless' haunting ballad climbed from #17 to #12, while Ayron Jones' bluesy rocker soared from #20 to #14. These artists are bringing a fresh perspective to the rock scene, and I'm excited to see what they do next.
The SMR charts for the week of July 9th paint a picture of a rapidly evolving rock landscape. Billy Morrison, Ozzy Osbourne, and Steve Stevens' "Crazy Train" still hold strong at the top, but Sleep Theory is hot on their heels and it is anyone's game at this point. The struggles of established acts like Nothing More and Five Finger Death Punch show that even the biggest bands can't rest on their laurels.
As always, the SMR charts are a reminder that the rock scene is alive and well, with new bands and fresh sounds emerging every week. So keep your ears open, your horns raised, and your hearts full of metal.
Stay true, stay metal, and never stop shredding.
Alex "Riffmaster" Reynolds
Alex "Riffmaster" Reynolds is a former underground metal band guitarist turned music journalist. His years touring the dive bar circuit have given him an insider's perspective on the music industry's gritty reality. Reynolds' writing is raw, passionate, and unapologetically edgy. He has a deep knowledge of metal subgenres and uses technical language while incorporating relatable anecdotes from his band life. He's not afraid to call out industry BS and encourages readers to "stay true, stay metal, and never stop shredding."
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