The album debuted at number one on the "Billboard" 200, selling 279,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. Subsequently, Eminem became the first artist to have ten consecutive number-one albums in the US and one of six artists to have released at least ten US number-one albums. Music critics praised Eminem's lyrical abilities and the improved production after "Kamikaze", while criticism directed towards the album's formulaic song structure, lack of innovation, and shock value. The Mayor of Manchester, England, Andy Burnham, responded to Eminem making light of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, saying, "This is unnecessarily hurtful and deeply disrespectful to the families and all those affected." The criticism of the album's subject matter led to Eminem responding in an open letter, saying that "Music to Be Murdered By" is "not for the squeamish" and is "designed to shock the conscience."