New & Noteworthy is a weekly column in which we highlight some of the newest rock and metal releases coming out each week. Today we’re getting new albums from Corrosion of Conformity and Avatar. If you would like to check out the last New & Noteworthy, you can do so here, if you want to see last week’s sales numbers, check those out in Metal by Numbers. Apparently we’re kicking off 2018 with the gay orgy themed band, Brojob. And here I thought 2017 started off interesting. Also be sure to follow us on Spotify for weekly new music playlists.
Studio Releases:
Corrosion Of Conformity, No Cross No Crown (Nuclear Blast Entertainment)
It has been three and a half years since the release of their last album, but the with their 10th studio album comes the return of guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan. It is the band’s first release since signing to Nuclear Blast Records. No Cross No Crown was produced by their longtime producer John Custer, who has worked with the band on the vast majority of their released work. Back at the end of November they released a music video for the track “Wolf Named Crow,” which was the first song written by the newly reunited group. Our contributor Jeff Podoshen seemed to really enjoy it, saying that it is an “amalgamation of various new influences and directions yet still remains firmly entrenched in their roots.” No Cross No Crown will also be released on vinyl and cassette.
Avatar, Avatar Country (eOne Music)
Avatar Country is the seventh album from Gothernberg, Sweden’s Avatar. So far the group has released music videos for the two songs, “The King Wants You” and “A Statue of the King.” “The King Wants You” has been stuck in my head all week, it’s such a fun and catchy tune. They just finished up a North American tour in 2017, opening up for In This Moment and Of Mice & Men, so I didn’t expect them to already be back and touring (as in it already started) so soon! Catch them headlining their Avatar Country Tour as they play around North America before heading to Europe in March. Avatar Country is also available on vinyl.
Black Veil Brides, Vale (Lava Music/Republic Records)
Vale is the 5th studio album from the American hard rock group Black Veil Brides. The band chose to team up with producer John Feldmann (Disturbed, Blink-182) again, who worked with the band on their 2013 release Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones, along with the group’s guitarist Jake Pitts. BVB just kicked off their North American co-headlining tour with Asking Alexandria on Wednesday, in Salt Lake City, Utah. They don’t seem to have released any music videos for the album though, which is a surprise.
Bleeding Gods, Dodekathlon (Nuclear Blast)
Hamferð, Támsins likam (Metal Blade)
Thin Lizzy, Black Rose & Chinatown (Anniversary Edition) (Friday Music)
White Wizzard, Infernal Overdrive (M-Theory Audio)
Vinyl Release:
King Parrot, Ugly Produce (Vinyl) (Housecore Records)
