The American heavy metal rockers Avenged Sevenfold topped the Billboard 200 album chart on Wednesday, fending off strong competition in the form of Big Sean and Juicy J.

The band's sixth studio album Hail to the King sold 159,000 copies in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It's the band's second album to reach the top spot and confirms their status as one of the most popular heavy metal bands in the U.S.

Though Avenged Sevenfold have gone quietly about their business since getting signed in 2000, their fortune is beginning to grow. M Shadows, the singer and songwriter with the band, now has a net worth of some $20 million, according to the wealth website celebritynetworth.com. 

Shadows has earned his cash not only from Avenged Sevenfold work, though from writing and producing songs for other acts too. 

Bass player Johnny Christ is now said to be worth some $18 million, despite dropping out of high school during his senior year to fill in for Avenged Sevenfold's previous bassist Dameon Ash. 

The band led four new entries in the Top 10 this week, including Big Sean's Hall of Fame - which sold 72,000 to take No.2 - Juicy J's Stay Trippy - which sold 64,000 - and the compilation album Alabama & Friends, featuring Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean.

Katy Perry's pop track Roar maintained the top spot for the consecutive week on the digital songs chart, with a massive 448,000 in sales. Rapper Eminem's new track Berzerk debuted at No2, while Robin Thicke's summer anthem Blurred Lines, with T.I. and Pharrell Williams rounded out the top three. 

Avenged Sevenfold are currently on a tour of North and South America, before they head to Europe in November for shows in Scandinavia, France, Spain, Portugal and the UK. 

A message on the band's official website read: "We are honored that our fans have once again put Heavy Metal at its rightful spot of #1. Celebrate today because this victory belongs to you."

Avenged SevenfoldAvenged Sevenfold Performing At Rock On The Range in 2009

Avenged Sevenfold Rock on the Range
Avenged Sevenfold Performing at Rock on the Range