Senjutsu is Iron Maiden’s Highest-Charting Album Ever in the U.S.

Congratulations are in order for Iron Maiden: their new album, Senjutsu, has debuted in the No. 3 spot on the Billboard 200 chart, with 64,000 equivalent album units and 61,000 in pure album sales. That makes it their highest-charting album to date in the United States.

Their previous highest chart position was attained by both of the band’s last two albums, The Final Frontier (2010) and The Book of Souls (2015), which each debuted in the No. 4 slot on the chart.

Reviewing Senjutsu for MetalSucks, Jeff Treppel wrote:

“The problem here ultimately comes down to a surprising lack of two of the things Maiden does best: big hooks and big choruses. Their songwriting and musicianship is impeccable as always; Kevin Shirley’s dry production, synth underpinnings aside, will probably remain a sticking point for some fans. It’s a pleasure to listen to, and even at eighty minutes it flies by. Still, it’s Iron Maiden; their albums are usually good for multiple songs that get stuck in your head for days. That hasn’t happened with this one. Unfortunately, that puts it a cut below their best.”

Our readers, meanwhile, are currently weighing in with their thoughts on the album here.