“Cult of Static”, the new album from the Los Angeles-based metal band STATIC-X, sold 19,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 16 on The Billboard 200 chart.

STATIC-X’s previous CD, “Cannibal”, opened with more than 30,000 copies back in April 2007 to land at No. 36. This represented a slight drop from the 35,000 tally registered by the band’s “Start a War” album, which came out in June 2005 and debuted at No. 29.

As previously reported, STATIC-X has tapped drummer Will Hunt (EVANESCENCE, DARK NEW DAY, ex-SKRAPE, TOMMY LEE) to fill in for Nick Oshiro on the group’s upcoming tour. Hunt also appears in STATIC-X’s new video, “Stingwray”, which can be viewed below.

Oshiro is reportedly “taking a break” from STATIC-X, but has not officially left the band.

The Best Buy-exclusive version of “Cult of Static” features two bonus tracks — “W.F.O.” and a cover of MÖTLEY CRÜE’s “Looks That Kill”.

“Stingwray” was inspired by frontman Wayne Static’s wife, former adult film star Tera Wray, and the Corvette Stingray she drives. Elsehwere on the CD, the cybernetic stomp of “Hypure” and “You Am I” bludgeon, bruise and break with precise grooves, while the staccato riffs on “Terminal” crush through an unmistakable guitar tone. Guitarist Koichi Fukuda blazes through incendiary solos, while Tony Campos bolts down demonic bass lines and Nick Oshiro pounds out deadly rhythms. Wayne Static riffs pure violence and screams out his soul.

A song you may already be familiar with is “Lunatic” as it was included on the “Punisher: War Zone” movie soundtrack. Although “Lunatic” is relentless and raw, brandishing a ripping groove and an impenetrable barrier of guitars, the album cut was re-recorded to feature a solo by legendary MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine.

“I’ve been a huge MEGADETH fan for years,” explains Static. “We’ve toured with them twice. Mustaine and I really hit it off on the road. His lead style is one of the most distinctive styles out there. There’s something amazing about it. When you hear him solo, you know it’s him.”

STATIC-X is scheduled to take part in this year’s Snocore tour alongside SALIVA.