Here we are at the end of another year. The Top 10 lists have been compiled, the awards have been given out, and there is only one new metal album to cover before 2013 is in the books…

After the Burial, Wolves Within (Sumerian)

The fourth album from technical metal aficionados After the Burial sees them performing with the same lineup that recorded 2010’s In Dreams. It’s a first for the band to maintain the same lineup from one album to the next, so kudos to them for doing so. At the same time, it’s worth noting that the band’s original vocalist, Nick Wellner, does make a vocal cameo on the track “Virga”. If you caught the band on their recent tour with Trivium and DevilDriver, then you likely heard some new material from Wolves Within that should have you very excited for this album.

And with that, we’re done with this year! 2014 is already looking fantastic, with new music from Within Temptation, Throwdown, Periphery, Grave Digger, Pro Pain, The Unguided, and many others already on the schedule. So get excited, because New & Noteworthy is in for another year packed to the brim with great new music! Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year, everyone! I will see you all next year!