Neil Davidge's composition for upcoming sci-fi shooter sells just under 9,000 copies in first week, surpassing Guitar Hero III.

Longtime Halo composer Martin O'Donnell did not contribute to the Halo 4 soundtrack, but that did not stop the album from breaking records. The Halo 4 soundtrack has become the highest-charting game soundtrack ever, debuting at number 50 on the Billboard 200 list.

The Halo 4 soundtrack sold 9,000 units during its launch week and is sandwiched between Barbra Streisand's Release Me (49) and The Killers' Battle Born (51). Those albums have been on the charts for three and six weeks, respectively.

In charting at number 50, the Halo 4 soundtrack easily surpassed the previous record-holder, 2007's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock - Companion Pack, which peaked at number 107.

Though the Halo 4 soundtrack is the highest-charting game album to date, it did not top the one-week sales record held by Halo 2's soundtrack . That album moved a "tiny bit more" copies during its second week, according to Billboard. Specific sales figures were not announced.

The Halo 4 soundtrack was composed by Neil Davidge, who has contributed to Hollywood productions like Clash of the Titans and I Am Legend, as well as television programs, including The West Wing, House, and CSI.

Halo 4 is due exclusively for Xbox 360 on November 6 worldwide. The game is a direct sequel to 2007's Halo 3 and is the first numbered entry in the series developed outside of Bungie Studios. It is the first installment in the Reclaimer Trilogy, which will span Halo 5 and Halo 6.

A recent Nielsen study found Halo 4 to be the most anticipated holiday 2012 title for Xbox 360 owners. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's review.

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