It’s the first Black Friday edition of New & Noteworthy since our move away from Tuesdays. I personally will not be taking part in any shopping today, but I urge those of you that are to be safe and sensible. There’s plenty of new music to enjoy, so please make sure you are able to enjoy it safely. Keep the holiday season sufficiently metal!
Danzig, Skeletons (Nuclear Blast)
Danzig’s first album of new material in five years is also a covers album. Danzig has always been an eclectic artist, between his early work with Misfits, Samhain, and his solo work. This record reflects that, with covers ranging from Elvis Presley to ZZ Top to Black Sabbath. Danzig has also teased a forthcoming Danzig Sings Elvis album, so there may be even more covers to come.
Vision of Disorder, Razed to the Ground (Candlelight)
The seminal hardcore band made a phenomenal return with 2012’s comeback album The Cursed Remain Cursed. They’ve kept up the momentum since that album’s release, touring continuously over the past three years. Razed to the Ground features the same intense hardcore sound that made VOD famous in the ’90s. If you’ve never heard hardcore from the genre’s infancy, this is the album to check out.
Devin Townsend Project, Ziltoid Live at the Royal Albert Hall (Inside Out)
Devin Townsend began a hiatus earlier this year, after the show where this album was recorded. It is a shame that that’s the case, because this concert was a sight to behold. Bringing the story of Ziltoid to one of the biggest stages in London, this release is one of the most theatrical and intense live albums that the metal world has seen in years.
Stone Sour, Straight Outta Burbank (Roadrunner)
Stone Sour’s Meanwhile in Burbank… release earlier this year was the beginning of a trilogy, as it turns out. Straight Outta Burbank is the second EP of covers that the band will be releasing, with the third part due next year. This time around, fans will get to hear covers of Slayer, Bad Brains, Iron Maiden, and others. No word yet on what’s to come on the third EP, but it’s sure to be just as good.
Wage War, Blueprints (Fearless)
Many young bands in the metalcore and post-hardcore realm have risen to prominence lately, possibly signaling a revival of the genre that began in the early 2000s. Wage War is one such band, formed when some of the members were still in high school and growing from there. Blueprints is the debut full-length album from the Florida-based group.
Culture Killer, Throes of Mankind (Metal Blade)
Another young Florida band ready to make their mark, Culture Killer aligns themselves with the crust-laden hardcore style of Young and In the Way, Nails, and Trap Them. The band is making their debut with Metal Blade with Throes of Mankind. You can check out MetalSucks’ full stream of the album here.
