Tool Album Likely to Knock Taylor Swift From No. 1 + Her Fans Are Pissed
Watch out, Taylor Swift fans — Tool are coming for the top of the chart. Their brand new album Fear Inoculum just came out last Friday (Aug. 30) and is likely to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, according to Hits Daily Double.
The album is projected to reach between 240,000 and 260,000 albums in the U.S. alone for its first week sales, with 220,000 to 240,000 being actual sales. That's also without the help of any sort of tour bundle or any direct-to-consumer marketing strategies.
Not to toot the Tool horn or anything, but that's pretty impressive for a seven track, 85-minute long album.
Swift's Lover came out Aug. 23, and debuted at No. 1 with just over 885,000 sales in its first week. Swift, however, employed a plethora of bundle options for the albums, pairing it with merchandise and concert tickets, and even a deluxe edition that comes with four discs. The pop artist's second week sales are on pace to reach between 185,000 and 200,000, which would place Tool at the top of the chart.
Fear Inoculum wasn't exactly a cheap buy either. The physical version of the album came with an entire immersive experience, including an HD video screen, speakers and a 36-page booklet. The package retailed for around $45, while Swift's CD cost around $13.
Tool fans have also been used to having to purchase the band's music as long as they've been around, considering they only uploaded their discography to digital and streaming platforms at the beginning of August.
We're not trying to be petty by pointing out that a metal band will take the No. 1 spot on the chart for the second time in the last month following Slipknot. Swift's fans are acting absolutely ruthless on Twitter, so we'll just sit back with our feet up once the charts are updated.
Every Tool Song Ranked