New & Noteworthy is a weekly column in which we highlight some of the newest rock and metal releases coming out each week. This week brings a new album from Judas Priest, Three Days Grace, and more! 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. Also be sure to follow us on Spotify for weekly new music playlists, curated by me!
Studio Releases
Judas Priest, Firepower (Columbia)
Coming off of their successful 2014 release Redeemer of Souls, British heavy metal legends Judas Priest are back with their 18th studio album, Firepower. The metal world seemed shocked by the announcement that guitarist Glenn Tipton would be sitting out of most of their upcoming tour after ten years of fighting Parkinson’s Disease. The fact that it took him this long to make that decision, and that he will still be on the road with them and playing as much as he can, is absolutely admirable. Filling in for Glenn on stage will be guitarist/producer Andy Sneap. The album was produced by Tom Allom, who worked with the band on their 1988 album Ram it Down and co-produced by Sneap. The band has released a music video for the song “Lightning Strike,” and a lyric video for “Never the Heroes.” They will be kicking off their North American tour next week in Wilkes-Barre, PA and continuing into early April. Firepower is also available on vinyl.
Ministry, AmeriKKKant (Nuclear Blast Records)
Five years since the release of their last album, Ministry returns on a new label to bring you Amerikkant. The change in label is not the only difference here, although on a more somber tone it is the first album in years to not feature guitarist Mike Scaccia as he passed away in 2012. Obviously not shying away from the current political climate, the band has released three politically charged videos to go along with the messages within the music itself. There are music videos for the two tracks “Antifa” and “Twilight Zone,” and a lyric video for “Wargasm.” Ministry will be touring North America through March and April before they head over to tour Europe, and who knows, and maybe even comedian Bill Burr will take them up on the offer and join them for a song on one of the stops. AmeriKKKant available on vinyl and cassette.
Between The Buried And Me, Automata I (Sumerian)
Automata I is the eighth full length studio album from the American progressive metal group Between the Buried and Me. It is their first release since signing to Sumerian Records, having been with Metal Blade since their 2011 release The Parallax. Despite that change, the band continues to work with their longtime producer Jamie King. Automata I is a concept album, with Part II supposedly to come later this year. The band has released two music videos for the release,”Condemned to the Gallows” and, as of today, “Millions.” Kicked off their North American tour last week, with The Dear Hunter and Leprous opening. I hope to make it to their show in Pittsburgh later this month, although mostly to see Leprous. Automata I will be available on vinyl next month, and be sure to keep an eye out for Automata II later this year.
Three Days Grace, Outsider (RCA)
Outsider is the sixth studio album from the Canadian rock group Three Days Grace. The band has released a music video for the song “The Mountain,” and a lyric video for “Right Left Wrong.” When I started writing this, they only had a handful of festival dates announced for the Summer, but this week it was announced that the band will be touring alongside Avenged Sevenfold and Profits of Rage this summer. Outsider is also available on vinyl.
Suicidal Tendencies, Get Your Fight On! (EP) (N/A)
Get Your Fight On! is the first of two releases coming to us from the American crossover thrash band Suicidal Tendencies. The EP, described by vocalist Mike Muir, is “a little more specifically a statement of the time,” and would have some political leanings in it. GTFO was produced by Paul Northfield, who has been working with the band for most, if not all of, Suicidal’s career. They will be touring Australia later this month, but they currently have no North American dates announced. Get Your Fight On! is also available on vinyl.
Myles Kennedy, Year of the Tiger (Napalm)
Myles Kennedy, the vocalist best know for his work with Alter Bridge and Slash, has released his debut solo album Year of the Tiger. The Album takes a bit of a turn from what he’s best know for, with the tracks released (as of writing this) being more acoustic guitar driven rather than hard rock. He has released a music video for the title track, and lyric videos for the two songs”Haunted by Design” and “Devil on the Wall.” Currently playing a string of shows in South Africa before heading to Europe. He will be coming to tour North America this May. Also available on vinyl.
Bloodred Hourglass, Heal (INgrooves)
Crippled Black Phoenix, Horrific Honorifics (Season Of Mist)
Drudkh, They Often See Dreams About the Spring (Season Of Mist)
Eryn Non Dae, Abandon Of The Self (Debemur Morti Productions)
Havok, Burn (Reissue)(Spinefarm)
Havok, Time Is Up (Reissue)(Spinefarm)
Kreator, Cause For Conflict (Deluxe Edition)(Noise Records)
Kreator, Outcast (Noise Records)
Krosis, Solem Vatem (Unique Leader)
Nightwish, Decades (Nuclear Blast)
Tax The Heat, Change Your Position (Nuclear Blast)
Turbowolf, The Free Life (Self)
Twitching Tongues, Gaining Purpose Through Passionate Hatred (Metal Blade/Closed Casket Activities)
Vinyl Release
Arch Enemy, Arch Enemy 1996 – 2017 (Vinyl) (Century Media)
