2018 was loaded with amazing albums from every sub-genre in metal. Every type of metalhead got a dose of consistent content from a wide range of bands.
After the return of glam metal and AOR thanks to the support from Frontiers Records, this year looks like a safe haven for the dark side of metal. As of now, August is the furthest into the future we can see at the moment, but there is plenty of unconfirmed album dates and tours yet to be announced.
January kicks off with Flotsam and Jetsam unleashing their 13th studio album, The End Of Chaos, which shouldn’t disappoint after their impressive self-titled 2016 release.
Raven are launching a live album, Scream Murder Death From Above: Live in Aalborg, featuring many of their classic material.
Kane Roberts has new music coming out on the 25th, The New Normal, marking the return since his 2012’s Unsung Radio.
King Diamond fans are expecting a live album, Songs For The Dead Live, which will hopefully lead to more information on his highly anticipated 13th album as well.
February is home to three major metal icons and all on the same day. Candlemass are back with their 12th album, The Door To Doom, which features original vocalist Johan Längqvist and his first performance with the band since 1986. Tony Iommi will also be playing on the third track, Astorolus – The Great Octopus.
Overkill are testing their level of consistency with yet another album, The Wings Of War, after quickly following up The Grinding Wheel. One single has been released titled Last Man Standing and it sounds like the Jersey are back at it again with their classic thrash roots.
Dream Theater are making a splash with Distance Over Time which will be interesting since The Astonishing reached critical acclaim status back in 2016.
Last In Line will be launching their second studio album following the solid debut, Heavy Crown. After the unfortunate passing of Jimmy Bain and conflicting tour schedules with Def Leppard and Foreigner, the band is making their comeback with Jeff Pilson as their producer once again to make more new material.
In March, Queensrÿche is the band of the month as they get ready for release of The Verdict on and a tour to go with it.
Japan’s very own Anthem are putting out a compilation album, Nucleus, on the . This is an important opportunity after their amazing 2017 record, Engraved, because if you haven’t checked out this band yet, this is the year to do so.
August is the last month we can make confident predictions for and it’s for power metal legends Hammerfall with their 11th studio album, Dominion, coming out on the 16th.
That does it for confirmed release dates, but many have already been counting on many other big names to come out of hibernation for this year.
Megadeth have teased their latest record using an Instagram clip of drummer Dirk Verbeuren doing blast beats for their upcoming album, so hopefully fans can expect a date and maybe a single sometime soon.
Exodus have also been making headlines with interview quotes where they hint at a new album being made for 2019.
Death metal pioneers Possessed announced their newest album in 32 years after making a trailer for it back in October. It’s another rare moment where this band active since their short-lived heyday, leaving extreme metal fans at the edge of their seats waiting for more updates.
Overall, it looks like another promising year full of amazing tunes and tours for rock/metal fans all around the world.
Stay tuned for more announcements right here on Loud Sound Epicenter!
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