Christ Illusion Debuts At #5

The second half of 2006 hasn’t exactly been the most favorable to Slayer. With The City of Fullerton, CA suddenly removing their promo benches, equipment stolen from their warehouse, and the postponment of their U.S. tour due to Tom Araya’s emergency surgery, Slayer and their fans deserve some good news. Their latest effort, Christ Illusion has debuted at #5 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums Chart with 62,000 copies sold in its first week in the U.S. alone. The album also debuted near the top of charts internationally at #2 in Germany, #2 in Finland, #8 in Holland, #9 in Australia and #6 in Austria. Though it’s the highest debut in the band’s 25-year history, Christ Illusion is also the second time they’ve debuted in the top 10. 1994’s Divine Intervention debuted at #8.