New & Noteworthy is a weekly column in which we highlight some of the newest rock and metal releases coming out each week. The first few weeks of the new year will be pretty slow, but this week still brings us new music from John Garcia and Legion of the Damned. You can check out the last New & Noteworthy here. Be sure to follow us on Spotify to get this month’s New & Noteworthy Playlist, updated every Friday with the newest metal releases.

Since this week is pretty sure, I’m going to use this time to encourage you go back and reflect on the Newest and Noteworthiest releases of 2018 via our year end lists: Zenae, Bram, Jeff, Matt, Joe, Josh, and meeeee!

New Releases

John Garcia, John Garcia And The Band Of Gold (Napalm Records)

John Garcia and the Band of Gold is the newest, and possibly last album from the former Kyuss vocalist John Garcia. Garcia worked with producer Chris Goss on the album, calling him a “surgeon.” Be sure to check out the music video for “Jim’s Whiskers,” and a lyric video for “Chicken Delight.” John Garcia will be touring Europe through February, but has no U.S. dates in the near future.

Legion of the Damned, Slaves of the Shadow Realm (Napalm)

Five years since the release of their last album, Dutch thrash metal band Legion of the Damned returns with Slaves of the Shadow Realm. Be sure to watch their music video for the track “Slaves of the Southern Cross.” The album is also available on vinyl.

Festerday, Iihtallan (Season Of Mist)

Iihtallan is the latest release from the Finish death metal band Festerday. They have release two music videos, “Kill Your Truth” and “The Ones Who Strange the Stars and Suns.” It is also available on Bandcamp.

Yatra, Death Ritual (Grimoire Records)