The tempo shift in the release calendar begins today, with the release of an album that ranks among the most highly-anticipated for all of 2016. That label is not said with any degree of hyperbole either – music sites (including us) have been talking about this album for months, and everyone agrees that it’s a big deal. There are several other noteworthy albums on today’s list, so be sure check out everything that interests you!
Fallujah, Dreamless (Nuclear Blast)
When The Flesh Prevails appeared in 2014, it shocked the metal world and turned technical death metal completely on its head. The album showed up on Top 10 lists all over the spectrum (including my own), and nearly everyone stated their high expectations for the follow-up. Having heard Dreamless in its entirety already, I am delighted to say that it goes above and beyond to exceed expectations. Fallujah has again delivered an album that will easily end up in Top 10’s all over the place at year’s end.
Rob Zombie, The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser (UMe)
Rob Zombie has one of the most iconic careers in rock music, and he continues it today with his sixth solo album. 2013’s Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor debuted at number 7 on the Billboard charts, proving that Zombie is still a force to be reckoned with in the music world. The expectation is that The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser (or TEWAWSOCD, for short) will perform similarly.
Tremonti, Dust (Fret12)
During his last round of time off from Alter Bridge, Mark Tremonti wrote and recorded two albums. The first was last year’s Cauterize, which debuted at #20 on the Billboard charts and received highly positive reviews for its diverse sound. Dust is the second of the two albums, and all signs point to a similar debut and similar reviews. Tremonti has stated that he did his best to give both albums a similar flow, but that they will not sound like clones.
Haken, Affinity (InsideOut)
Haken’s break-out moment came in 2013 with The Mountain, the band’s third full-length album. Receiving critical acclaim around the world, the album opened the door for Haken to spread their prog on a worldwide scale. Tours with Between the Buried and Me, The Neal Morse Band, Leprous, and many others brought Haken to audiences that had never heard the band before, and it helped create quite the buzz for the band. All of this should make Affinity into a big hit.
Cilver, Not the End of the World (eOne)
Forming from the ashes of MeTalkPretty, New York hard rockers Cilver have built a strong following thanks to great social media presence and a spot on the Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock Tour in 2014. Their only release prior to today was the EP In My Head, which came out in 2013. Not the End of the World is the group’s debut full-length, and it has been preceded by the single “I’m America” that has been making a powerful impact on the rock charts.
Abnormality, Mechanisms of Omniscience (Metal Blade)
Forming in eastern Massachusetts in 2005, Abnormality’s lineup reads like a Who’s Who of the underground death metal scene in the northeastern US, with connections to over fifteen different bands in their five-person lineup. Led by the fiery Mallika Sundaramurthy on vocals, Abnormality is full-bore technical death metal that will tear you to pieces if you’re not prepared. Mechanisms of Omniscience is the group’s second album, and their first since signing to Metal Blade.
Westfield Massacre, Westfield Massacre (Urban Yeti)
Tommy Vext has not been idle since he left Snot in 2014. The former Divine Heresy frontman has worked tirelessly to get his own project, Westfield Massacre, off the ground for over a year. Now, with a finalized lineup and a self-titled debut album completed, Westfield Massacre is finally rolling. Lead single “Darkness Divides” is already making waves on the metal charts, and the band is currently making their presence felt as the opening band on a tour with Sevendust and Trivium.
Painted Wives, Obsessed With the End (Century Media)
Painted Wives is a doom rock group from California. The band is relatively new to the scene, but they’ve made a strong impact in a short time as part of the Orange County underground. Century Media signed the five-piece group very quickly after they were discovered, and now they are making their full-length debut. You’ll get to see Painted Wives on tour soon, as they are supporting Lacuna Coil and Butcher Babies on a national tour that starts on May 7th.
