HERE ARE SOME OF THE NEW ALBUMS THAT COME OUT TODAY

Lucifer – Lucifer III

The band is back with their third album, their second with the team of Johanna Sadonis and former The Hellacopters, Entombed, and Imperial State Electric singer, guitarist, and drummer Nicke Andersson. You can tell that the band has had some time to settle down with each other, as the songs on the album seem to take them to another level.

Yes, still present is what you’ve loved from the band in the past.  You’ll still find their mix of 70s hard rocks, doom, some classic heavy metal, etc. But they’re presenting things similar to Ghost musically. They’re not ripping off what the masked band is doing, but their composing songs that could have come out decades ago, but applying a modern twist.

They are the perfect example of a band that if given a chance could actually reach the masses. Listen to either of the two tracks released before the album’s release “Midnight Phantom” or “Leather Demon” and tell me that neither of these tracks could be featured on classic rock radio?  Either track would be great to have featured between what is usually played adnauseam on your local station. Lucifer is another great example of yes, there is still great new music coming out.

Prophecy 23 – Fresh Metal

Old school hooks, new school looks, this German band mixes a bunch of different flavors and kind of makes what is old, new. They take old school thrash, punk, some death metal growls, some frosty beverages, and some skateboarding to boot (remember when thrash and skating went hand in hand?), and mix it all up to put a modern spin on things.

They remind me musically of a mix between mid-80s Anthrax, Death Angel and Overkill, again, all those things you used to hear when Tony Hawk, Lance Mountain, and Christian Hosoi were battling one another. Green is heavily featured in their imagery as well, so I don’t think that’s a coincidence. They fall under the new to me category, and think that anyone that’s into early thrash will enjoy them.

The Wild – Still Believe In Rock N Roll

This Canadian hard rock band in many ways is like Lucifer. No, they don’t sound alike, but they’re offering up a slice of old-school blues-based hard rock, which could easily be played on your typical classic rock radio station.

But unfortunately, this falls on deaf ears because you know, you need to listen to the same 50 songs every day. If this were another era where new music wasn’t buried, I could imagine hearing songs off Still Believe In Rock N Roll on the radio.

The album was produced by Mike Fraser, best known for working on albums by AC/DC, Aerosmith, and Van Halen. That’s no mistake, as he has been able to get a performance out of The Wild that harkens back to some of those bands. If you’re a fan of hard rock and looking for something new, do yourself a favor and check out this album.

Ani Lo Projekta – A Time Called Forever

This is the first time I believe I am writing about a Bulgarian band. The Ani Lo Projekta has been around since 2010. This is their second album, it was recorded in the U.S. and Germany.

The album sees contributions from members of Dawn Of Destiny, Hellsott, and Voodoma.  They’re labeled as a symphonic band, but it is obvious that they haven’t pigeonholed themselves.  On this album, they go beyond all of the cliched entrapments that see certain bands stuck regurgitating the same old same old.

Here are some other notable new releases, and reissues that come out today

Heaven Shall Burn – Of Truth And Sacrifice

Myrkur – Folkesange

Art Of Shock – Dark Angeles

Master Boot Record – Floppy Disk Overdrive

White Stones – Kuarahy

Nite – Darkness Silence Mirror Flame

Hyborian – Vol. II

Def Leppard – The Early Years 79-81 Box Set

Def Leppard – High N Dry Reissue

Def Leppard – On Through The Night Reissue

Dio – The Studio Album Collection: 1996-2004

Dio – Angry Machines Reissue

Dio – Killing The Dragon Reissue

Dio – Magica Reissue

Dio – Master Of The Moon Reissue

Cancer Bats – Bears, Mayors, Scraps & Bones 10th Anniversary Edition

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