GRAMMY-winning band Casting Crowns' third studio album, The Altar and The Door, debuted at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 Chart for the week ending Sept. 2, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Without mainstream radio or TV exposure, the group's new release sold 129,000 copies, selling just below the High School Musical 2 soundtrack, which was No. 1. The Altar and The Door surpassed Casting Crowns' album Lifesong, which reached No. 9 on The Billboard 200 Chart in 2005.

"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," said John W. Styll, president of the Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA). "That is great news, not only for our business, but also for our culture."

Casting Crowns' latest project follows its two platinum-selling albums (Casting Crowns and Lifesong), two Recording Industry Association of America-certified live DVD projects (Live From Atlanta and Lifesong Live) and numerous awards, including the past two Group of the Year recognitions from the Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. The Altar and The Door was released Aug. 28.

The album is the fourth highest debut in terms of units sold for a Christian/gospel record since Nielsen SoundScan began counting sales at Christian retail in 1996, according to Casting Crowns' label, Beach Street Records (Provident-Integrity). Switchfoot's 2005 Nothing Is Sound (131,000), P.O.D.'s 2001 Satellite (133,000) and LeAnn Rimes' 1997 You Light Up My Life (186,000) are the only albums that have sold more units in their first weeks.

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