2014 is going to be a good year. How do we know? Because some of the biggest, badass-est bands in hard rock and heavy metal are set to drop new bombs over the following 300-plus days. Read on to see just what we mean–and get fucking psyched.
Animals As Leaders
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: March
Guitar wizard Tosin Abasi & Co. are looking to release their third installment of their head-spinning instrumental prog metal in March. This follow-up to 2011′s Weightless will also feature recording help from Periphery’s Misha Mansoor.
Anthrax
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: TBA
In 2013, lead guitarist Rob Caggiano exited the band for full-time duties in Volbeat. But later last year, guitarist Scott Ian tweeted, “Today [drummer Charlie Benante] and [bassist Frank Bello] are coming over to start writing for the next record. The few skeletons that are rattling around sound vicious!”
Behemoth
TITLE: The Satanist
RELEASE DATE: February 4
Polish blackened death-metal extremists Behemoth have finished their 10th full-length, which will be their first since 2009′s Evangelion and since frontman Nergal successfully battled leukemia. The album was delayed last year after the band dropped off Mayhem Fest when drummer Inferno needed surgery. Since then, the group released a single, “Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel,” and a video to accompany it.
Black Label Society
TITLE: Catacombs of the Black Vatican
RELEASE DATE: April 8
Guitar icon and Black Label Society frontman Zakk Wylde recently announced a brand new LP freshly titled Catacombs of the Black Vatican, due out this spring. This announcement came shortly after the band parted ways with longtime guitarist Nick Catanese and replaced him with Lizzy Borden guitarist Dario Lorina.
Body Count
TITLE: Manslaughter
RELEASE DATE: April/May
After the deaths of Mooseman, D-Roc and Beatmaster V, a new Body Count record was kind of the last thing we expected. However, production for the controversial rap-metal band’s fifth studio album is already well under way, according to vocalist Ice-T.
Cattle Decapitation
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: TBA
Last year the California deathgrind act released probably the most NSFW video ever, for “Forced Gender Reassignment”off 2012′s Monolith of Inhumanity. Word has it the band is working on their follow-up and seventh full-length.
Chelsea Grin
TITLE: Ashes to Ashes
RELEASE DATE: May
The Salt Lake City deathcore act has released an EP and a couple of singles since 2011′s My Damnation. Now Chelsea Grin are ready to drop album No. 3, Ashes to Ashes, in the spring.
Chiodos
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: late March
Post-hardcore act Chiodos are not new to lineup changes. After reuniting with original vocalist Craig Owens and longtime drummer Derrick Frost after years apart, and bringing on new guitarist Thomas Erak–the frontman of screamo shredders The Fall of Troy–the reorganized lineup went into the studio. Owens says of the new music, “Some of it is the heaviest Chiodos has ever done.”
Code Orange Kids
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: TBA
The young hardcore act Code Orange Kids released their Kurt Ballou-produced breakout debut, Love Is Love/Return to Dust, in 2012. The band is expected to unleash their sophomore album this year on Deathwish Inc.
Comeback Kid
TITLE: Die Knowing
RELEASE DATE: February/March
Canadian hardcore act Comeback Kid will release their fifth studio album, Die Knowing, and first since 2010′s Symptoms + Cures. The band also has a tour set for early this year, with Backtrack and Xibalba.
Crosses
TITLE: †††
RELEASE DATE: February 11
The debut full-length from Crosses–a supergroup composed of Chino Moreno of the Deftones, Shaun Lopez of Far, and multi-instrumentalist Chuck Doom–was pushed back from November to this year. The electronic group has already released two singles, “Bi†ches Brew” and “†he Epilogue,” in anticipation.
Darkest Hour
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: March/April
The D.C. metalcore group finished recording album No. 8 last year after touring with Killswitch Engage. Guitarist Michael Schleibaum said, “When John Henry [vocals] and I started the band some 18 years ago, we could have never imagined the sound would travel this far. The making of this record was both a painful and joyful one and the end result has become something truly transcendent.”
Down
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: Spring
Down released the first part of their EP series in 2012 with Down IV Part 1: The Purple EP, and the band has finished the next installment. This EP will be the supergroup’s first release to feature Honky guitarist Bobby Landgraf, who replaced Kirk Windstein late last year after he left to focus on his main project Crowbar.
Dying Fetus
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: Summer
Tech-death metallers Dying Fetus are expected to release the follow-up of 2012′s Reign Supreme. Last fall the band headlined a tour with support from Exhumed and Abiotic.
Emmure
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: March/April
One of the most controversial bands in the deathcore scene, Emmure are planning to have a release out early this year as a follow-up to 2012′s Slave to the Game. This past year saw the band playing festivals and tours throughout Europe and the US, including a slot on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival.
EyeHateGod
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: TBA
The state of the first EyeHateGod record in 13 years was uncertain after drummer Joey LaCaze (pictured below, second from right) died unexpectedly in August last year. Guitarist Jimmy Bower recently said, “Joey would have never wanted us to quit playing. We knew that for a fact. So as opposed to sitting around bummed out, we just got into a room pretty fast with Aaron [Hill, new drummer] and started learning as much as we could. We got 22 songs down, so we’re stoked, man.”
For Today
TITLE: Fight the Silence
RELEASE DATE: February 4
Metalcore group For Today released two singles, “Pariah” and “Fight The Silence,” last year off their upcoming album, due out in February. The album’s message is focused around the subject of human trafficking.
Godflesh
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: Spring
When British industrial-metal groundbreakers Godflesh reunited to play shows in 2010, it was great news—more than a few extreme-music fans, including a staff members at Revolver, were crushed when the band canceled its 2001 U.S. tour and then broke up the following year. But news that main man Justin Broadrick & Co. are working on a new album, 10 years after the release of their swansong, Hymns, well, that’s a whole other level of mind-blowing.
In Flames
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: TBA
Late last year, Swedish melodic death-metal pioneers In Flames entered Hansa Studios to record their upcoming album. The record will be the follow-up to 2011′s Sounds of a Playground Fading.
Islander
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: March/April
Islander recently released their EP, Pains, which saw a guest appearance by Bad Brains’ H.R. and earned them comparisons to Deftones, Rage Against the Machine, and Glassjaw. This year, the South Carolina group plans on releasing their debut full-length via Victory Records.
Judas Priest
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: TBA
The Metal Gods may have announced their departure from the stage, which they commemorated with 2011′s triumphant Epitaph Tour, but the members of Judas Priest swear we haven’t heard the last of them. With the addition of new guitarist Richie Faulkner, who replaced K.K. Downing when he retired and made his debut with the band supporting James Durbin on American Idol, the band was working on a reported 12 to 14 last year.
Killer Be Killed
TITLE: Killer Be Killed
RELEASE DATE: Spring
Now this is a supergroup. The band, which has long been in the works, features The Dillinger Escape Plan vocalist Greg Puciato, Mastodon singer-bassist Troy Sanders, Sepultura and Soulfly founder Max Cavalera, and former Mars Volta drummer Dave Elitch. Puciato, Sanders, and Cavalera all contribute vocals, and the Dillinger frontman says of the music that “It’s a bit of Sabbath-y doom, a bit of thrash, a bit of hardcore and punk.”
Linkin Park
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: TBA
It’s always a busy time for Linkin Park. Last year the band released a remix album, Recharged, collaborated with electronic musician Steve Aoki, and frontman Chester Bennington became the vocalist for Stone Temple Pilots. Even so, Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda has said that the band hopes to release their sixth studio album in 2014.
Machine Head
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: TBA
Last year the thrash band announced that bassist Adam Duce left on friendly terms to only days later recant that, as frontman Robb Flynn wrote in a blog post that they actually fired Duce due to major differences. Flynn, the group’s only remaining original member, looks to release the follow-up to 2011′s Unto the Locust this year on Nuclear Blast.
Mastodon
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: TBA
Atlanta sludge-metal masterminds Mastodon have been writing music to follow up 2011′s The Hunter for over a year. The band had dozens of skeletons of new songs. “It’s too early to tell what it will all end up sounding like at this point,” drummer-vocalist Brann Dailor says. “There may be a concept involved. It just depends. Some of the guitar parts are so super heavy they remind me of ‘Mother Puncher’ [from 2002’s Remission]. They’re just brutal. At the same time, there are lots of Pink Floydy passages that have these psychedelic funk beats. We play space metal, you know?”
Metallica
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: TBA
Though it’s been six years since Metallica released their last album, Death Magnetic, the band has hardly been slacking off. To the contrary, they’ve delivered on project after project. There has been the Lulu collaboration with Lou Reed, Orion Music + More festivals, and a 3D concert movie, Metallica: Through the Never. And of course, how could we forget their epic performance at last year’s Revolver‘s Golden Gods? We can’t.
Of Mice & Men
TITLE: Restoring Force
RELEASE DATE: January 28
Metalcore act Of Mice & Men are proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the heavy-music scene. After releasing the single, “You’re Not Alone,” late last year–which also happened to be the fans’ pick for Song of the Year on RevolverMag.com–vocalist Austin Carlile & Co. are ready to release Restoring Force. The band’s third effort, it will be OM&M’s first to feature new bassist and clean vocalist Aaron Pauley.
Opeth
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: TBA
Last year, vocalist-guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt announced that he had begun writing new material for the forthcoming 11th Opeth album. It will be the follow-up to 2011′s Heritage, which debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Periphery
TITLE: Clear EP, new full-length title TK
RELEASE DATE: Clear EP, January 28; full-length, July
As one of the pioneers of the djent movement in progressive metal, Periphery are looking to release an experimental EP, Clear, in late January. After that, we are told the band intends on releasing a new full-length, which is already in the works, in the summer.
Pig Destroyer
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: Fall
When Virginia speed demons Pig Destroyer dropped 2012′s Book Burner, it was pretty much the grindcore album of the year. Even though the band–which now features recent additions Misery Index’s Adam Jarvis and his cousin John as their first-ever bassist–play live and record sporadically, they are already working on a new release for 2014.
The Pretty Reckless
TITLE: Going to Hell
RELEASE DATE: March 18
Vocalist Taylor Momsen has been the Revolver cover star for the Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock and Metal issues twice. The band’s newest effort, Going to Hell, has been in the works for a while due to multiple setbacks including Hurricane Sandy devastating their studio. The Pretty Reckless have released two singles–the title track and “Heaven Knows”–already in anticipation.
Ringworm
TITLE: Hammer of the Witch
RELEASE DATE: March 18
Metallic hardcore staples Ringworm will unleash another album early this year. Vocalist Human Furnace’s visceral rage should continue to satisfy both metalheads and hardcore kids alike.
Slayer
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: TBA
Last year was tumultuous for the thrash O.G.s. Drummer Dave Lombardo was officially out of Slayer for the third time, and Paul Bostaph rejoined the band as his replacement again. Then guitarist Jeff Hanneman tragically died of liver failure. Guitarist Kerry King has confirmed that the band will continue–with Exodus’ Gary Holt handling second guitar–saying, “Jeff is going to be in everybody’s thoughts for a long time. It’s unfortunate you can’t keep unfortunate things from happening. But we’re going to carry on–and he’ll be there in spirit.”
Slipknot
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: TBA
Writing and recording a new Slipknot record without bassist and major songwriter Paul Gray, who passed away in 2010, would be challenging enough. Then, late last year, the band split with drummer and another chief songwriter, Joey Jordison. Considering Slipknot’s recent travails, it is perhaps not surprising that vocalist Corey Taylor has described the forthcoming new album–their first since 2008′s All Hope Is Gone–as “very dark.”
Suicide Silence
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: Spring
“It took a good four or five months to decide if we still wanted to make music together,” guitarist Mark Heylmun told Revolver. “We had no direction and were so lost. It took time for us to realize that this is what we do.” What Heylmun is referring to is deciding to record after the 2012 death of vocalist Mitch Lucker, who passed away from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash. Once the decision was made, the band demoed about 14 songs with former All Shall Perish vocalist and new Suicide Silence frontman Hernan “Eddie” Hermida.
Theory of a Deadman
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: Summer
Canadian hard-rock hit-makers Theory of a Deadman are returning to the studio next month. The resulting fifth studio album will be the follow-up to 2011′s The Truth Is…
Tool
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: TBA
While frontman Maynard James Keenan has been seemingly preoccupied putting out Puscifer records, reuniting with A Perfect Circle, and squashing grapes, we’re holding out hope that he and his bandmates in Tool will finally put out a new album this year. Until they do, we’re prepared to be teased, tortured, and titillated by more rumors and misinformation, much of it doubtlessly spread by Tool themselves.
Tombs
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: Spring
Brooklyn, New York’s experimental metal band Tombs stirred the underground with their last release, 2011′s Path of Totality. The group will be working with famed extreme-music producer, and Hate Eternal main man, Erik Rutan for their new release, due out this spring.
Photo by Dan Rivera
Triptykon
TITLE: Melana Chasmata
RELEASE DATE: TBA
Extreme-metal trailblazers Celtic Frost called it quits in 2008 and the group’s frontman, Tom Gabriel Warrior, made a comeback with his new band, Triptykon. Warrior says the title Melana Chasmata comes from ancient Greek and translates to “deep, dark valleys.” He adds, “We’re using it with all the symbolism it represents. It reflects the state we’re at mentally and emotionally perfectly.”
Veil of Maya
TITLE: TBA
RELEASE DATE: July
Chicago deathcore band Veil of Maya released the single “Subject Zero” last fall and re-signed with Sumerian Records. Since then, the group has been working on their follow-up to 2012′s Eclipse and expects the new full-length this summer.