Hillsong Church's Zion Album Debuts at #5 on Billboard 200
Zion, the latest and third album from contemporary Christian and alternative rock band Hillsong United, is also now the group's most commercially successful album after striking gold with a mainstream audience and debuting at the number five spot on Billboard's 200 chart on Friday. It is also number one on Billboard's Christian Album chart.
The only albums currently ranking higher than Zion on the mainstream music chart are Bruno Mars' Unorthodox Jukebox, Amok by Atoms for Peace, Babel by Mumford and Sons and The Heist by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.
In a message on Friday to fans on Twitter, the group wrote: "Thank you all for your support getting Zion into the top 5 on the USA top 200 Billboard charts
"Our focus has always been to bring hope to as many people as possible through our worship music. Hillsong music generally has had a strong following in America for years, and we are thankful that we have the opportunity of bringing a positive message in what is often a negative world," Tim Whincop, Hillsong Music Australia manager, told news.com.au.
In the CCM Magazine interview, Houston is asked about his favorite track on the album and he explained that it was very difficult to say because every song on the album has a story of its own. "I'm not one for playing favorites, but with this record I feel like every song has a specific and powerful story, and it would be an injustice to focus squarely on any of it as a part. The album is a story made up of stories. Much like the Kingdom. Much like Zion," said band member Joel Houston.
Hillsong United will tour the U.S. in June.
