New & Noteworthy is a weekly column in which we highlight some of the newest rock and metal releases being released. This week features new music from Kreator and Annihilator, a Sepultura boxset and three Opeth vinyl reissues. If you want to check out last week’s releases or see the latest sales numbers , you can do so here and here.
Kreator, Gods of Violence (Nuclear Blast)
Today Germany’s Kreator releases their 14th studio album, Gods of Violence, their first studio release in five years since Phantom Antichrist in 2012. Gods was produced by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (Haken, Between the Buried and Me, etc.). They also have released a special edition of the album that features a recording of their live performance at Wacken-Open-Air in 2014. The title track and “Satan is Real” have both gotten music videos so far.
Annihilator, Triple Threat (UDR Music)
Canada’s heavy metal outfit Annihiliator are releasing a two part (double threat?) album features an unplugged, acoustic Greatest Hits set and a recording of their performance at Bang Your Head Festival. Triple Threat was recorded and mixed by songwriter/guitarist Jeff Waters with Marty Sobb, at Watersound Studios. According to Waters, the album was “done all in one take,” and “with all the musical blemishes and imperfections that I would never normally let slide!”
Betraying the Martyrs, The Resilient (Sumerian)
French deathcore band Betraying the Martyrs . The Resilient is the first album to feature Boris Le Gal on drums as their previous drummer, Mark Mironov, suffered from frequent visa issues which had started to make it a logistical and financial burden on the band. The album opener “Lost for Words” was also chosen
Xandria, Theater of Dimensions (Napalm)
Theater of Dimensions is the seventh studio album from German/Dutch symphonic metal band Xandria. The album features guest appearances from Henning Basse (Firewind), Zaher Zorgati (Myrath), Björn Strid (Soilwork) and Ross Thompson (Van Canto). It was produced by Joost van den Broek, who also produced their previous two albums, Fire & Ashes and Sacrificium.
Sepultura – The Roadrunner Albums 1985-1998 (Roadrunner)
The set is, as the name would imply, a collection of the albums the band released while signed to Roadrunner Records from 1985-1996. It is available digitally, as well as a physical six CD or vinyl boxset, where each album is pressed onto a different color record. This release comes just two weeks after the band released their latest album, Machine Messiah, which they will be touring in support of this Spring with Testament and Prong.
Opeth, Morningrise (Vinyl reissue) (Spinefarm)
Opeth, My Arms Your Hearse (2LP Vinyl reissue) (Spinefarm)
Opeth, Orchid (Vinyl reissue) (Spinefarm)
