Multi-Platinum Christian music band Casting Crowns’ third album The Altar and The Door debuted this week at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart with more than 128,000 scans, making it this week’s highest album debut and the top artist release in the country, second only to the High School Musical 2 soundtrack.

“Casting Crowns is in great company, coming in second only to High School Musical 2 on The Billboard 200, suggesting perhaps that the music buying audience has an appetite for music that is family-friendly, and in Castings Crowns’ case, faith affirming. That is great news, not only for our business, but also for our culture,” said John W. Styll, president of the Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA).

Styll noted that the success of Casting Crowns is particularly remarkable because it has happened thanks primarily to the Christian subculture which has embraced the band’s bold affirmation of faith. The band joins artists like Chris Tomlin, Third Day, tobyMac and Steven Curtis Chapman who have sold millions of units without the benefit of significant mainstream radio airplay or other general market awareness. “And yet, Casting Crowns’ album does not promote isolation from the mainstream culture. In fact, at the heart of The Altar and The Door, is the theme of Christianity’s command that faith needs to be lived both in the church at the altar and outside the doors of the church,” Styll added.

“This debut is a landmark achievement for this artist and our company in so many ways. Casting Crowns has proven that artistry, ministry, career and personal life can all co-exist successfully when the mission is clear. We are truly thankful to be a part of this at a time when record sales are hard to come by and consumers have so many choices. Clearly, Casting Crowns’ message of hope and encouragement, coupled with Mark Miller’s magnificent production, is resonating with listeners,” shares Terry Hemmings, President and CEO of Provident Music Group.

This week’s success follows the band’s back-to-back Platinum certifications on its first two albums, its self-titled debut and its follow-up Lifesong, both of which are also in the Top 20 on the Nielsen Christian SoundScan Charts.

Casting Crowns receiving their platinum certification during GMA Music Week in Nashville (Bernie Herms at the keyboard)

Earlier this year, Casting Crowns set an RIAA record as the fastest Christian music artist in its career to have its first two albums certified Platinum, and only the second in RIAA history ever to achieve it (the other being Jars of Clay in 2000). The band’s GRAMMY®-winning sophomore album Lifesong debuted at No. 9 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart in September 2005 with more than 71,000 scans.

Casting Crowns is fronted by lead singer and songwriter Mark Hall, who also is serving his 16th year as student pastor at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta. All seven band members remain active in student ministry at their Atlanta-area churches.

Find out more about The Altar And The Door on Casting Crown’s YMZ artist page.

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