Metal is, above all else, enduring. While the top bands in the more popular genres of music tend to rise and fall on a monthly basis, there are plenty of metal bands that have lasted for two or threes decades, still going strong today like they did in their earliest years. Just look at the Big 4 – the shows they did together showed four bands at the top of their respective games, still playing extremely well and having plenty to offer. Today one of those bands gives us another new album as they extend their vitality even more. Enjoy it, along with the rest of the albums on today’s list!
Megadeth, Super Collider (Tradecraft/UMe)
When TH1RT3EN was released two years ago, the major talk in the Megadeth camp centered around David Ellefson’s return to the band and how his contributions would impact their sound. It apparently worked out well, as the album debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200. Fast forward to 2013, and you’ll see some more big changes. First, Megadeth parted ways with Roadrunner Records recently, to the surprise of virtually no one. Mustaine’s love-hate relationship with the label was very apparent during the album cycles for Endgame and TH1RT3EN. However, what may come as a surprise to some is that Super Collider is being released on Mustaine’s own label, Tradecraft, with distribution being handled by Universal Music Enterprises. This is certainly not unprecedented, as many veteran bands are now releasing albums on their own labels rather than through a major label. But seeing a member of the Big 4 take a step is a positive sign, and hopefully it will inspire other musicians to be similarly proactive in their decision-making. Super Collider features two guest appearances by Disturbed/Device frontman David Draiman, as was previously announced in April. Draiman’s contribution coincides nicely with Device being announced for the 2013 run of Gigantour, along with Black Label Society, Hellyeah, Newsted, and Death Division. Check out dates and more here.
Queens of the Stone Age, …Like Clockwork (Matador)
2007’s Era Vulgaris was a big hit for QOTSA, but after the touring run for the band’s fifth album, Josh Homme announced that he was returning to the studio to write its followup. Except that he didn’t. While I’m sure that some writing for a sixth Queens of the Stone Age album did occur during 2009 and 2010, the focus for Homme was very obviously on Them Crooked Vultures. It was only during his recovery from a knee surgery gone wrong in 2010 that the true writing for …Like Clockwork began, and it came to fruition following the band’s 2011 touring run, wherein they played their debut self-titled album in its entirety each night. Homme has said that the album’s title comes from the seemingly endless cycle of positive events followed by problems that happened during the recording process. However, the resulting sound is nothing if not impressive. The record features contributions from several former members of the band, such as Dave Grohl, Nick Oliveri, and Mark Lanegan. Additionally, outside musicians such as Trent Reznor, Alex Turner, Jake Shears, and Sir Elton John have cameos on this album, making this one of the most star-studded QOTSA records to date. Hopefully we won’t have to wait another six years for the next one!
Also being released this week:
Suidakra, Eternal Defiance (AFM)
Liferuiner, Future Revisionists (Invogue)
Gothminister, Utopia (AFM)
Trail of Tears, Oscillation (Massacre)
Demon Lung, Hundredth Name (Candlelight)
Believe, The Warmest Sun in Winter (Metal Mind)
Cynthesis, ReEvolution (Sensory)
Gyze, Fascinating Violence (Coroner)
Voices, From the Human Forest Create a Fugue of Imaginary (Candlelight)
Days of Anger, Rise Above it All (Coroner)
My Dying Bride, Manuscript EP (Peaceville)
Next Week: Speaking of bands that endure, the band that founded heavy metal and never took a break since is back with another album, and this is a very special album at that. Get ready for some pure blackness to come in just seven days!
