Hammerfall, Built to Last (Napalm)
What is not to love with the Swedish heavy metal act Hammerfall? It has been a few years since 2014’s (r)Evolution and now their tenth studio album Built to Last is ready for all on November 4th under Napalm Records. Allegedly, frontman Joacim Cans’s vocals will have a higher pitch than ever, which is an example as to what’s incredible about this band as they continue to challenge themselves after each and every record. The single of “The Sacred Vow” is out now, and well if the album continues as bombastic and energetic as this one, it will be another golden release.
Starkill, Shadow Sleep (Prosthetic)
Starkill is a band that will not change their style or direction for anyone nor any record label. While touring with Epica during the winter of 2016, they had an Indiegogo campaign to help independently gather funds for their third effort. After this campaign, there was complete silence about the said release. However, the touring did not stop which has only proved that this Chicago Metal act are persistent, hardworking and in it for the long hall. Finally, after over a year of finding a way to release material that comes directly from them, they found a new home with Prosthetic Records and their long awaited third studio album Shadow Sleep will be released on November 4th. It is a follow up from their 2014 release of Virus of the Mind and here is a little teaser.
Vader – The Empire (Nuclear Blast)
Initially set to release in September, now we have to wait until November 4th for Vader’s eleventh studio album The Empire under Nuclear Blast Records. However, the EP Iron Times is out now which includes the new single “Prayer To The God Of War.” What is interesting from these Polish death metallers, is the theme of the album as frontman Peter himself explained, “war and the ‘cold crisis’ around us today.” That alone is a sign that the vigorous brutality will carry on since 2014’s Tibi Et Igni.
Setentia, Darkness Transcend (Blood Music)
If anyone enjoyed Gorguts’ Pleiades’ Dust that came out in May this year, you would most likely love Setentia’s Darkness Transcend that will be released on November 11th under Blood Music. Hailing from New Zealand, this young experimental death metal act has only just started to open the gates of hell when they revealed a sliver of what they can do in May with the titled track “Darkness Transcend.” Hearing such intensity already has me eager to hear more, and it is something to look forward to.
Sirenia, Dim Days of Dolor (Napalm)
It feels like it was just yesterday when the Norwegian gothic metal act Sirenia released their seventh studio album, The Seventh Life Path. However, a significant change has happened since then. It is only recently when we had heard these changes as it was the beginning of July the band announced the departure of vocalist Ailyn. Since then, there have been teasers, speculations and of course curiosities on what’s going to happen next for them. However, late August Sirenia revealed the artwork and release of their eighth studio album Dim Days of Dolor under Napalm Records on November 11th. Still, a new vocalist was not yet revealed. It was only recently on September 8th when the announcement was officially made with Emmanuelle Zoldan as the new vocalist, where she is no stranger to the band as her vocals have been heard since 2004’s An Elixir for Existence. It has peaked several curiosities as there is only a slight teaser for this release.
Metallica, Hardwired… To Self-Destruct (Blackened Recordings)
The wait is finally over on November 18th with the release of Metallica’s tenth studio album Hardwired….To Self Destruct. It is a bit surreal that the album has arrived, where the last few years alone we have been teased believing it would come out by “the end of the year.” The question remains, which direction are they moving towards? Already there is a feud between their new single “Hardwired” that surprised us all on August 18th along with the official announcement. A few believe the track is a B-side from 1983’s Kill ‘Em All and others think it is moving in the direction of their last effort, 2008’s Death Magnetic. One thing is for sure, those riffs are explosive enough to be curious and excited for the tenth (hopeful) masterpiece.
