As promised, today carries a short list of new metal and hard rock releases. That’s okay, though, because today’s releases make up for their lack of quantity with plenty of quality. Dig in and enjoy what we have to offer today!
Sixx:A.M., Modern Vintage (Eleven Seven)
Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx is back with the third album from his side project. The band first announced that they were working on new music via Twitter in November 2012, so this album has been a long time coming. The singles “Gotta Get it Right” and “Let’s Go” have already created a heavy buzz for the album, which succeeds 2011’s highly successful This is Gonna Hurt. If Modern Vintage performs similarly to the preceding album, expect to see this album in the top 10.
Orange Goblin, Back from the Abyss (Candlelight/Universal)
The English metal veterans had their greatest success in America with 2012’s A Eulogy for the Damned. They are looking to exceed the previous mark with Back from the Abyss, a monolithic album that showcases the band’s groove side in high gear. There’s plenty of melodic goodness to be had as well, in the form of ’70s psychedelic rock worship like album opener “Sabbath Hex”. You’ll be able to hear plenty of the album during the band’s upcoming tour dates with Down. Dates and details for the tour can be found here.
Rigor Mortis, Slaves to the Grave (Self-released)
Slaves to the Grave is the final creation of Rigor Mortis and Ministry guitarist Mike Scaccia, who had a heart attack on stage and died in December 2012. Slaves to the Grave was still in production at the time, and by some stroke of fortune, Scaccia had finished all of the guitar work on the album just a few days before his death. The band crowdfunded the release of the album so that they could finish Scaccia’s legacy without a contract being necessary. You can hear the entire album streaming here.
Affiance, Blackout (Bullet Tooth)
This young metal band from Cleveland got their start in 2009, and were signed to Bullet Tooth very shortly after self-releasing their first EP. Blackout is the group’s third full-length album. Affiance spends most of their time on the road, and among their most notable achievements are recent tours completed with Killswitch Engage and Protest the Hero.
Minus the Bear, Lost Loves (Dangerbird)
Experimental rockers Minus the Bear had their most successful release to date with 2012’s Infinity Overhead. The band is following that up with Lost Loves, a compilation album that features most of the band’s unreleased B-sides and other rarities from the past seven years of their career. Most of the songs are described as compositions that felt out of place on concept albums, which should give a general idea of what to expect. The band has stated that almost all of the songs fit well together, meaning that this collection could simply sound like the latest addition to Minus the Bear’s storied discography.
Lo-Pan, Colossus (Small Stone)
One of the better bands on stoner rock label Small Stone Records, the band’s third full-length is riffy, heavy stoner rock that will make you want to drink whiskey, no matter what time of day you’re listening to it. You can put that to the test yourself by listening to the album via Metal Sucks, who are streaming the whole thing now.
