There are a LOT of new albums coming out today! Coming from all over the spectrum and all over the world, today’s release list will be a delight for almost every metal fan out there. Check it all out right here!
Devil You Know, The Beauty of Destruction (Nuclear Blast)
Howard Jones’ triumphant return to metal is being almost universally hailed as an incredible record. With the musicianship of technical masterminds like Francesco Artusato and John Sankey, combined with Jones’ unique and instantly-recognizable vocals, The Beauty of Destruction is an album that will appeal to much more than just the fans of Jones’ material with Killswitch Engage. The full album is available to stream if you want to hear it for yourself.
Whitechapel, Our Endless War (Metal Blade)
Five albums into their career, Whitechapel has not lost an ounce of their edge. Both of their previous albums have broken into the top 50 of the Billboard 200, and you can expect Our Endless War to do the same. You can read our interview with vocalist Phil Bozeman here to get his thoughts on the creative process for this album. You can also catch Whitechapel on tour with DevilDriver, Carnifex, Revocation, and more during May and June. Tour dates are listed here.
Aborted, The Necrotic Manifesto (Century Media)
I don’t know how Aborted manages to stay as consistent with their music as they do, since the band has a new lineup on almost every single record they write. The Necrotic Manifesto is no exception, with two new guitarists joining the fold after the release of 2012’s Global Flatline. That doesn’t stop this new album from being masterful, though. If you need proof, our buddies at No Clean Singing have a full stream of the album up and running for your enjoyment.
Edguy, Space Police: Defenders of the Crown (Nuclear Blast)
After taking some time off to write and record a new Avantasia album, Tobias Sammet is back with a new release from Edguy. Following in the footsteps of 2011’s Age of the Joker is no easy feat, as that album charted highly in several major markets throughout Europe. However, Space Police seems up to the challenge, as it has already debuted at #2 on the German charts. The true test will be whether or not Space Police can become the first Edguy release to chart in the US.
Insomnium, Shadows of the Dying Sun (Century Media)
If the recent past is any indication, Insomnium is finally starting to catch on here in the US. 2009’s Across the Dark and 2011’s One for Sorrow both got respectable coverage from the US metal press and appeared on more than a few end-of-year top 10 lists. Shadows of the Dying Sun may be the album that pushes Insomnium into the spotlight here in the US, which would be nice for such a deserving band. You can check out the songs “Ephemeral” and “Black Heart Rebellion” as a sample of what to expect on the album.
Autopsy, Tourniquets, Hacksaws and Graves (Peaceville)
Autopsy has been on an unstoppable roll following their reunion and the dissolution of Abscess in 2010. Both 2011’s Macabre Eternal and 2013’s The Headless Ritual were on par with the band’s early material, and based on what you’ll hear on “The Howling Dead“, Tourniquets, Hacksaws and Graves will be very similar. It may not be ground-breaking, but Autopsy is still an incredibly talented band that will satiate your need for old-school death metal whenever you want it.
Miss May I, Rise of the Lion (Rise)
Miss May I has risen quickly in popularity, and they don’t seem to be going away anytime soon. 2012’s At Heart debuted at #36 on the Billboard charts, so the likelihood is that Rise of the Lion will be somewhere in the top 30, if not the top 20. You’ll get to hear material from Rise of the Lion during Miss May I’s stint on this year’s Mayhem Festival.
Fu Manchu, Gigantoid (At the Dojo)
When I think of Fu Manchu, I think of the Tony Hawk franchise of video games, and I wonder how to get to the Southern California paradise that they seem to perpetually live in. Gigantoid may be the best gateway to that magical land, as it’s filled with all the riffing stoner rock that any skateboard or surf junkie could ever want. Check out “Invaders on My Back” for a preview of the album’s content.
Saliva, Rise Up (Rum Bum)
I had no idea that Saliva was still active, but the band is still going strong, despite being under the radar. Rise Up is the band’s ninth album, but it is actually mostly a re-release of its predecessor, In It to Win It. According to the band, the release of In It to Win It last September was supposed to be a “limited time only, fan sneak-peek”, and Rise Up is the actual official release of a new album. I’m not sure what the purpose of that is, but it’s nice to see the band still working hard, even after losing original singer Josey Scott in 2011.
Holy Moses, Redefined Mayhem (Steamhammer/SPV)
Holy Moses has been off the grid for awhile. Their last full-length album of new material was 2008’s Agony of Death, and their 30th anniversary collection In the Power of Now did not receive much attention when it was released. However, the band is back now with a revamped lineup, and Redefined Mayhem promises to be a hard-hitting thrash album that fans will love.
Floor, Oblation (Season of Mist)
In case you haven’t noticed, we here at Metal Insider have been pretty excited about Floor’s reunion and the release of a new album. However, that excitement does not come without reason. All the good things you’ll find in Steve Brooks’ other band, Torche, can be found in abundance on Oblation. Floor is also hitting the road to support this album, which gives us yet another reason to be exuberant about this release.
Anti-Mortem, New Southern (Nuclear Blast)
Anti-Mortem may not be the first thing you’d expect to find on Nuclear Blast’s roster, with a lot more straightforward rock ‘n’ roll than extreme metal going on in their sound. However, that’s not a bad thing, as they stand out from the crowd with their Southern roots and influence. Also, it’s nice to see some new talent emerging from Oklahoma, an area not well-known for being a musical spawning ground. Check out the video for the first song off the album, “100% Pure American Rage”, right over here.
Portrait, Crossroads (Metal Blade)
This Swedish traditional metal group pays homage to King Diamond and Mercyful Fate in their music, featuring the same style of vocals, old-school riffing, and intense solos. Crossroads is the band’s third album.
Mekong Delta, In a Mirror Darkly (Steamhammer/SPV)
Mekong Delta does not fall into the same group as most traditional German thrash bands, instead utilizing progressive elements and classical concepts to make their style unique and fresh. A must for fans of Voivod, Forbidden, and Coroner.
Archspire, The Lucid Collective (Season of Mist)
Hailing from Vancouver, Archspire plays technical death metal with mathcore influence and lots of straightforward brutality. If you like Obscura, Fallujah, or Ulcerate, then Archspire is definitely worth your attention.
Lord Mantis, Death Mask (Profound Lore)
Chicago-based Lord Mants combines sludge with black metal to create some of the most evil music you’ll ever witness. If bands such as Indian, Tombs, and Rwake attract your attention, then Lord Mantis belongs on your radar, as well.
Dead in the Manger, Transience (20 Buck Spin)
We were really excited to bring you this EP last week. In fact, we’re still excited about it. Go listen to it and you will be too.
Next Week: A pair of symphonic metal releases lead off the first week of May. Find out who it will be next time!
