The end of the year always tends to be slim pickings when it comes to new releases, case in point last week we didn’t post about new albums, because outside of Avenged Sevenfold releasing an expanded version of their album The Stage, there really wasn’t anything else to mention.  This week is the same, most bands and labels tend to make their last push in November, ahead of the holiday season.

With this said, January is shaping up to be a huge month for rock, hard rock and metal releases.  On January 5^th you have Trident World Eclipse by Watain, January 12^th Vale by Black Veil Brides, No Cross No Crown by Corrosion Of Conformity with the return of Pepper Keenan, and What Happens Now from Joe Satriani on the 19^th, Grimmest Hits by Black Label Society, and on the 26^th, Catharsis by Machine Head, and Choosing Mental Illness As A Virtue by Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals.

And that’s only January, we’re “supposed” to get new albums from Judas Priest, the first solo album from Myles Kennedy, another Tremonti album from his Alter Bridge cohort Mark Tremonti, Tool (11 years and counting since 10,000 Days), Andrew W.K., Halestorm, Monster Magnet, Rammstein, Soulfly, and Ghost.

Challenge accepted, and I look forward to some kick ass music in the coming year.

Which of these are you most interested in hearing? And what other band would you love to release a new album?

Reviewed by Victor M. Ruiz of earpeeler, Mars Attacks Radio & Podcast, and Galaxy Of Geeks Podcast.  Connect with him on Twitter:  @vmr907