We’re now three days into the new year, and we’ve already had one major revelation in the metal world. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that there are going to be many more before the year ends. And while it would be both ridiculous and impossible to predict what the year is going to bring, we do know enough, at least on a limited basis, to let you know about some things that are happening this year, or at least are likely to occur over the course of the next 362 days, that we’re pretty psyched about.
New albums from marquee acts
Here’s a partial list of some bands that are scheduled to release albums in 2014:
Behemoth
Black Label Society
Corrosion of Conformity
Crowbar
Cynic
Down
Gorgoroth
Iced Earth
Machine Head
Mastodon
Overkill
Primal Fear
Prong
Steel Panther
That’s really just the tip of the iceberg, too. There are countless bands in the studio, and others that haven’t announced that they’ll be going in yet. Not to mention the fact that these are only the established bands. Of course there will be some new bands, collaborations, or other albums from up and comers that will likely blow us away. In short, it’s already going to be a great year for metal albums. Which leads us to our next item.
It’s not out of the realm of impossibility that all of the Big 4 could release new music this year
Anthrax is another band that’s in the studio right now. It’s a little premature to say that their next album will definitely come out, especially after the 8 year wait between their last studio album and 2011’s Worship Music. But we’re hopeful they’ll be able to deliver. Slayer are likely taking their time working on album #12, and with good reason. The first album without Jeff Hanneman will be a tough one to write, but the band had already worked on some music before his passing, and if they can finish writing and record, there’s a distinct possibility they might have something out. Ditto for Metallica, who have promised a new song when they play European shows this Summer. They probably wouldn’t be playing new music unless they had an album coming out sometime this year, right? RIGHT? And Megadeth said last Summer that they were already working on the follow up to Super Collider, stating “time is short,” with Mustaine pointing to Hanneman’s passing. Speaking of which…
Slayer’s next move
2013 proved to be a troubling year for Slayer. With Dave Lombardo given the boot following a public fallout and the death of Jeff Hanneman, Slayer intend to move forward with only half its original lineup (and potentially a new label home). With Kerry King and Tom Araya stating they intend to finally work on their long awaited new album, fans await to see what 2014 will bring to Slayer. Will Lombardo’s absence be noticeable on record? Will Jeff Hanneman’s absence be noticeable? Will Holt be given free reign to solo away, or will he try to sound as much like Hanneman as possible? It’s really hard to say, but it’s a given that the next album from Slayer will probably be one of their most scrutinized ever.
The future of Slipknot
The notion of Slipknot finally beginning to start work on their first album since the death of Paul Gray in 2010 is enough for Maggots to look forward to. However, now fans have even more reason to be anxious, as 2014 will find Slipknot moving forward without another key member – Joey Jordison. Thanks to Jordison, we also know that he didn’t quit the band. While they’re quiet for now, there are many possibilities as to why he’s no longer in Slipknot. His band Scar the Martyr may have something to do with it, but that hasn’t stopped Corey Taylor and Jim Root from putting out two Stone Sour albums in the last 13 months. Maybe it’s just a personality conflict? While the reasoning behind the split is still unclear, it’ll be interesting to see who the band taps to replace him on drums and how they’ll be able to move forward without him.
The announcement of touring festival lineups
With the beginning of every year, we get closer to finding out who’ll be playing our favorite touring festivals. Spring tours like Metal Alliance will be announced very soon, while Mayhem Fest and Summer Slaughter will follow that shortly. While we can’t reveal any names, we’ve already received the inside scoop as to a few of the bands playing those lineups, and we can guarantee that these announcements are worth looking forward to. The Warped Tour ahve been pretty much revealing new bands daily since last year, and while it’s not like it’s an automatic for metal and hardcore fans, there are alway a handful of great heavy bands playing. And after a four-year hiatus, the SnoCore Tour will be coming back in Spring, this time with Heaven’s Basement and The Pretty Reckless among the bands playing.
One version of Queensryche
The legal battle over the name Queensryche has gone back as far as 2012. On January 27 though (after numerous delays), we may finally find out who the court sides with and who they’ll reward the name to. Will it be Geoff Tate and his “all star” lineup, or the Todd La Torre fronted version? Though fans may have made their pick known, 2014 should provide a final answer. And while neither entity is likely to stop putting out music, at least there will be that much less confusion in the world.
The Lamb of God documentary, As the Palaces Burn
No, we’re not talking about the making-of documentary that was on the reissue of the band’s third album last year. This is an actual film, and like Some Kind of Monster, Anvil! The Story of Anvil, and Lemmy, this has all the makings of a classic metal documentary. Even the original topic of the film would have been interesting. Don Argott (who filmed Pentagram’s Last Days Here) set out to make a film about LoG’s international fan base. But it took a left turn in to the surreal when Blythe was arrested in Prague on suspicion of manslaughter. The fact that Argott was able to document his month-long stay in a foreign prison, as well as the trial the following year, should make it resonate on a much deeper level, making it a must-see not just for fans of metal, but any touring act or those curious about the legal system.
Killer Be Killed
The idea of Mastodon, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Max Cavalera and The Mars Volta even playing together on tour would be intriguing enough (especially because one of those bands isn’t together any more). But the combination of DEP’s Greg Puciato, Cavalera, Mastodon’s Troy Sanders and former TMV drummer Dave Elitch sounds mind-blowing. The trio of Puciato, Cavalera and Sanders are all great vocalists in their own right, and each one of their bands have staked their own claim on extreme music. Combine that with a powerhouse drummer, and we can’t wait to hear what the album is going to sound like when it’s released later this year on Nuclear Blast. But with that lineup alone, the bar’s set pretty high.
Body Count
Yeah, Body Count. We’re not sure the bar is set all that high for the band who are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. Mainly because Ice T is more of an actor than a rapper or metal frontman these days, and that band hasn’t put out a really impactful album since their 1992 debut. However, with The Machine Shop’s Will Putney working on this, it’s at least going to sound pretty good, and who knows, the band’s first album in eight years might surprise people. And with lowered expectations, this could turn out to be a pretty fun album. If not, at least we’ll all get to have a laugh or two at it when it comes out later this year on Sumerian. Yeah, Sumerian.
A new Tool album
This was also something we were looking forward to in 2013. And 2012. and 2011. And maybe back as far as 2010. So while it looks encouraging that the band are finally making progress on full length album #5, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer have taken up Maynard James Keenan’s 2013, and Danny Carey filled some time with his band Volto!, so it’s pretty obvious they’re taking their time. And while it’s been eight years since 10,000 Days has been released, as a winemaker, Keenan knows not to serve anything before it’s time, and tons of fans will be waiting.
A new website design for Metal Insider
Yeah, it’s coming. Maybe sooner than you think. Stay tuned. We think you’ll be impressed. From what we’ve seen so far, we are.
This list is by no means complete, so feel free to let us know what you’re stoked about in 2014 below.
