Welcome to Metal Power Rankings: Our weekly rankings take a number of factors into account: newsworthiness, record sales, internet buzz, word of mouth and overall importance in the genre. Ultimately, it’s subjective, but if a band generates enough buzz, they’ll wind up on the list. This week, Megadeth remain on top, because we found out just how close we were to a Rust In Peace reunion.
1) Megadeth (last week 1)
Even Marty Friedman not-reuniting and Nick Menza running away screaming from a supposedly bad deal doesn’t sour the fact that we were THIS CLOSE to a Rust In Peace reunion. If Chris Adler and Kiko Loureiro get at least semi-close to that, Megadeth will be on to something. It’s exciting to think Dave Mustaine might lean in the direction of tech-thrash mastery than toward writing rock non-hits, as we’ve seen time and again in ‘Deth’s last decade.
2) Slayer (last week 3)
OK, so Jeff Hanneman might not be on the Slayer album, but it would’ve been the icing on the cake. Even with just Holt and King, we’ve got a lot to look forward to. Our prediction? The album sounds like Slayer. And when is that ever a bad thing?
3 )Metallica (last week 2)
Forget fuel, fire and that which you desire. How about giving us a new album, guys?
4) Nightwish (last week 8)
We didn’t take their American fanbase seriously enough at ALL last week, because there is no arguing with their best US debut yet.
5) Babymetal (re-entry)
OK, you got us: they didn’t sign to Housecore, but they DID sign to Sony and will finally see a physical reissue of their debut album in the US next month. Love them or hate them, it’s impossible to deny that this band is impacting pop culture past metal itself.
6) At The Gates (from 12)
Three more dates left on the Decibel Tour, and we couldn’t be more excited about Sunday’s NYC show! But the biggest winner of this tour has to be their opening act…
7) Pallbearer (re-entry)
The “Watcher in the Dark” video is the coolest head-trip we’ve gone on so far this year.
8) Between the Buried and Me (last week 4)
Whatever it is that BTBAM is about to uncork at New England Metal & Hardcore Fest, we’re all for it.
9) Royal Thunder (from 5)
Crooked Doors is finally out! Will its critical raves turn into sales? We’ll find out for sure next week, but this band is going to be a force to be reckoned with this year.
10) Byzantine (no change)
It’ll be pretty fascinating to see where the band’s album debuts next week. They’ve certainly done a good job of building anticipation for it.
11) Faith No More (from 14)
Faith No More announcing more tour dates would’ve been exciting enough, but they’ve gone and brought Refused along with them.
12) GWAR (re-entry)
In between the bad (the band being sued by Dave Brockie’s dad) and the good (they stole the show at the Empire Records presentation in Brooklyn this week), it’s been a pretty big week for the band.
13) Gojira (re-entry)
THE BAND IS IN THE STUDIO. Enough said.
14) All That Remains (re-entry)
The impressive part is that they’ve somehow sold 34,000 copies of the new album. More sobering: you can probably cram all the fans of this band’s super-commercial new material into the same football stadium. But hey, they’re buying records!
15) August Burns Red (debut)
The band signed to Fearless, and now we know they’ve got an album coming out in June.
