With the highly anticipated release of the third studio project last week, punk-rock foursome Hawk Nelson debuts on the Billboard Top 200 at No. 34 beating out their last release’s peak position (No. 76) selling more than 18k units. Hawk Nelson… Is My Friend! was also the top selling new release on the Christian album chart in addition to the comprehensive chart.

“We couldn’t be happier with the first week sales,” Tooth&Nail Records President Brandon Ebel shared. “Hawk Nelson worked incredibility hard in the studio and on the road, which definitely established the groundwork for this record to succeed. In addition to being the highest first week for the band, it’s also the highest scanning CBA artist release for the year! We are really excited about that, and proud of the guys. It’s also important to note that each scan was sold for a reasonable price. There were no $5 fire-sales or substantial artists pre-sales on this release. This says a lot about the loyalty of the Hawk Nelson fan, and the caliber of the team that worked on this release. We’re really excited to watch this record continue to grow.”

Hawk Nelson credits their avid fans for their successful career that has sold more than a half-million units and landed them in major films and appearances throughout the past four years. Hawk Nelson… Is My Friend! is a tribute to their fans with the title coming from the most popular band t-shirt since their beginning. The t-shirt has become a staple with their fans and also been the inspiration for the current Green T tour. Hawk Nelson wanted to not only account their success to their loyal fan-base with the album title, but to give them a special tour with significance of the “Green T.”

Hawk Nelson… Is My Friend! was produced by the award-winning David Bendeth (Elvis, Paramore, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus). In addition to writing with long-time friend Trevor McNevan from Thousand Foot Krutch, the band also met and wrote with Matthew Gerrard (High School Musical, Hannah Montana), Our Lady Peace lead singer Raine Maida (Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson), and ‘80s pop star-turned-hit songsmith Richard Marx (“Right Here Waiting,” Keith Urban). The album covers topics of friendship, loss of loved ones, and being true to one’s self.

Hawk Nelson continues on their highly successful Green T Tour through May 3rd. The 47 city tour also features RunKidRun, who release their sophomore project on Tooth&Nail Records April 29th (Love At The Core), and special guests Capital Lights, the newly signed label-mates who will be releasing their debut July 8th.

For more information on Hawk Nelson and their new release, visit their YMZ artist page. Their first video Friend Like That can be viewed in YMZ’s Media section.