New & Noteworthy is a weekly column in which we highlight some of the newest rock and metal releases coming out each week. This week brings new music from Children of Bodom, Tyr, Tesla, and more. You can check out the last New & Noteworthy here, and the latest sales numbers in Metal By Numbers. Be sure to follow us on Spotify to get this month’s New & Noteworthy Playlist, updated every Friday with the newest metal releases.
Last Saturday, Greywalker and Arcane Haven put together an event that satisfied both of my desires for sitting around on my ass playing video games, and live heavy metal music. The night was in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Retro Gaming community, and featured a duel between the bands between doors and show start to determine who would headline at the end of the night. The game with Marvel vs Capcom 2 for the Sega Dreamcast. It was best of 5, and each member faces off against the the member of the other band in the same position. It was a close match, but Greywalker won out 3-2 and got to headliner the night. Both put on great performances, so I think everybody won that night. And while the bands were on stage, PRG had systems set up in the room with tons of games to choose for. I chose to die over and over playing the original Castlevania most of the night.
New Releases
Children Of Bodom, Hexed (Nuclear Blast)
Tenth studio album. Check out our interview with bassist Henkka Blacksmith. In collaboration with Fat Lizard Brewing Co. they now have their own beer, Lake Bodom Lager. I’m loving “This Road.”
From: Finland
Genre:Melodic death metal
Producer: Mikko Karmila (previous releases: I Worship Chaos, Halo of Blood, Hatebreeder etc..), at Danger Johnny Studios
Upcoming dates: North America (3/13 – 4/19), with Swallow the Sun and Wolfheart.
Music videos: “Under Grass and Clover,” “Platitudes and Barren Words”
Lyric video: “This Road”
Also available on purple vinyl.
Tyr, Hel (Metal Blade)
Eighth studio album. First release since 2013, Valkyrie. First album to feature guitarist Attila Vörös and drummer Tadeusz Rieckmann. “Fire and Flame” is awesome.
From: Faroe Islands
Genre: Folk metal
Music video: “Sunset Shore” “Ragnars Kvæði”
Lyric video: “Fire and Flame”
Upcoming dates: Europe, through April.
Also available on vinyl.
Tesla, Shock (UMe)
Ninth studio album. First album since 2014’s Simplicity.
From: Sacrimento, California
Genre: Rock
Producer: Phil Collen of Def Leppard. CO
Upcoming Dates: North America, March 29 – April 28. Canada, July. Handful more shows, plus Europe, throughout rest of year.
Singles: “Shock” “California Summer Song”
Also available on vinyl.
DORO, Backstage to Heaven EP (LABEL)
Equipoise, Demiurgus (The Artisan Era)
Indestructible Noise Command, Terrible Things (Indestructible Noise Command)
Misery Index, Rituals Of Power (Season Of Mist)
SeeYouSpaceCowboy, Songs For The Firing Squad (Pure Noise Records)
The Raven Age, Conspiracy (Corvid Records)
