January 10, 2010

Music Projections for 2010

So, with 2010 now ten days old, let's take a look at what's on its way to us in the music world and what we can reasonably expect. Here are my thoughts on some albums that will (hopefully, in some cases) be appearing during the next 355 days:

-The Infinite Order by Living Sacrifice

Twitter was abuzz with members of the Christian metal scene raving the day they all got this album. Members of Demon Hunter, The Showdown, Oh Sleeper, and August Burns Red all say that this is the best that Living Sacrifice have sounded in years. I'm inclined to agree with what these fine musicians say, as I'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who has more knowledge about the band than these guys, who grew up listening to this band and now model all of their bands after Living Sacrifice.

Prediction: Solid
Expected Release Date: January 26th

-Sons of the System by Mnemic

Mnemic have been saying that this album will sound similar to the band's older material from Mechanical Spin Phenomena. I don't know how true that is, but if it is, I will be highly impressed. However, I don't know if that's going to happen. For now, I will judge this album conservatively and hope to be pleasantly surprised.

Prediction: Average
Expected Release Date: January 26

-Ironbound by Overkill

On the eve of their 25th Anniversary tour, Overkill will be releasing their 15th studio album. 2007's Immortalis was exceptionally good, and I'm hoping the Jersey boys can continue to step up and deliver. Rumor has it that many tracks on this album will be longer songs, similar to the thrash epics Metallica were so fond of creating in the 80's, and which Exodus has done on many of their recent albums. If Overkill move in this direction, then they are in great shape.

Prediction: Solid
Expected Release Date: January 26th

-Skepsis by Through the Eyes of the Dead

I feel bad for these guys, because they never catch a break. Skepsis will feature their third singer in as many albums, and that does not raise my hopes at all. Then again, I could be wrong. But we shall see.

Prediction: Disappointing
Expected Release Date: February 2nd

-The Underworld Regime by Ov Hell

This black metal supergroup is the brainchild of Dimmu Borgir singer Shagrath and Godseed/ex-Gorgoroth bassist King. However, I'm honestly not expecting anything tremendous from this album, for two reasons. One, much of the black metal scene lacks originality in this day and age, and both Dimmu Borgir and Gorgoroth (pre-legal battle) fall into this grouping. Two, Frost has been tapped as the drummer for this group. We all know that Frost is an amazing drummer, but I am discouraged by the output of his two main bands, Satyricon and 1349, in recent years. I will reserve judgment on this album until I hear it. However, my expectations will not run high.

Prediction: Disappointing/Average
Expected Releast Date: February 8th

-Mechanize by Fear Factory

The clips I have heard from this album tell me that it will be one of the best of Fear Factory's career. Clearly, Dino coming back to the band was a good choice. My hope is that this album performs well and catapauts the band back into the spotlight. And with a lineup now featuring Gene Hoglan, that seems much more likely.

Prediction: Exceptional
Expected Release Date: February 9th

-Mutiny Within by Mutiny Within

Even if I had only the band's live performance to base this prediction on, I would know that this is going to be a solid album. However, after having heard the song "Awake" and becoming heavily addicted to it, I know that Mutiny Within's debut will be amazing. This is a band to watch in the coming years, because they have the potential to revolutionize metalcore.

Prediction: Exceptional
Expected Release Date: February 23rd

-12 Gauge by Kalmah

Kalmah have consistently improved throughout their career from one album to the next. 2008's For the Revolution was a phenomenal album, and I expect that 12 Gauge will be equally enjoyable. After all, any album where the band's lead guitarist almost cuts off his own finger during the recording sessions is going to be intense.

Prediction: Solid/Exceptional
Expected Release Date: March 3rd

-We Are the Void by Dark Tranquillity

Dark Tranquillity is another band that consistently gets better with each new release, and after watching the studio diaries for this album, I expect similar results on this album. The band is trying a new approach to recording that seems to be working so far, and the practice room versions of the new songs sound spectacular. Expect a great new album from Dark Tranquillity.

Prediction: Solid/Exceptional
Expected Release Date: March 9th

-The World is a Thorn by Demon Hunter

I don't know how Demon Hunter will manage to top Storm the Gates of Hell. It was my album of the year in 2007, and now that the band has a new lineup, I don't know what to expect. However, I know this: Demon Hunter has never disappointed me. I know I will like this album. I just don't know how much yet. I'll judge conservatively here, and hope that I'm blown away once again by the band's new songs.

Prediction: Solid
Expected Release Date: March 9th

-Omen by Soulfly (working title)

Soulfly have just been rising higher and high with each album they've released since 2004's Prophecy. This new album should continue that trend, since Max Cavalera can almost always be counted on for his consistency. The working song titles that have been announced sound intense, and when the world is in a bad state, Max always has something to say about it in his lyrics, so this will likely be a vocally-intensified album. Expect the best from a Cavalera always.

Prediction: Solid
Expected Release Date: May 4th

-Stone Sour's new album (untitled as of now)

It's been four years since Come What(ever) May blew us all away, and in that time, we've seen Slipknot's resurgence to popularity and heard virtually nothing from Corey Taylor about Stone Sour. However, I still expect a good album because of the level of talent that this band possesses. They've done phenomenal things in the past musically, and so they really can't be bad. The only thing that worries me is Corey Taylor's mental state after his divorce. The lyrics on Slipknot's latest album were heavily focused on that subject as it occurred, and now that we are in the aftermath, I worry that the focus will be even greater because Corey channels his real life emotions into his music more than any other lyricist I've observed. We shall see what happens when the album is unveiled.

Prediction: Average/Solid
Expected Release Date: August 3rd

-Worship Music by Anthrax

Will this album ever see the light of day? Seven years after We've Come for You All, Anthrax still doesn't have a singer, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of focus on finding one. However, there is hope. After multiple performances with former singer John Bush, it seems at least somewhat likely that he will rejoin the band on a permanent basis and record this new album. However, after such a long wait, nothing is certain in the world of Anthrax. We will have to pray for some sort of miracle of decisiveness.

Prediction: Average/Solid
Expected Release Date: Unknown

-III by Necrophagist (working title)

Apart from being booked on multiple European festivals for the summer, there has been virtual silence from Necrophagist entirely, especially about this album. However, with 2004's Epitaph making it onto several end-of-decade music lists, you can bet that the new material will be quite enjoyable. Waiting for word on the album is becoming excrutiatingly hard, though. Let's hope for some word in the coming months about this release.

Prediction: Solid
Expected Release Date: Unknown

-Parkway Drive's new album (untitled as of now)

When word hit the Internet that live footage of Parkway Drive performing a new song called "Unrest" was up on YouTube, the video immediately received hits numbering in the thousands. This new song is enough to make me sure that Parkway Drive are only going to be getting better from what they did on Horizons. They are still going to be heavy as hell, more technical than their contemporaries, and loyal to the scene they started in. This album will crush your face.

Prediction: Solid/Exceptional
Expected Release Date: Unknown

-Soilwork's new album (untitled as of now)

For the third album in a row, Soilwork is recording with a different lineup than what they had on their previous record. With the return of Peter Wichers on guitar and the addition of Sylvain Coudret on guitar, Soilwork promises that this new album will be more technical than previous albums, but still keeping the catchy parts of their recent efforts. However, I worry that the band's inconsistencies of recent years will plague them once again. For now, a conservative judgment will be best.

Prediction: Average
Expected Release Date: Unknown

-Time by Wintersun

I'm putting this album here even though I'm more than 95% sure it won't see the light of day this year. All I have to say is this: after waiting through five years of delays for this album and after almost a year since any statement at all was made by Jari Mäenpää about the release, if Time does come out this year, it had better be the best damn album released this year. Because if it is not, you can bet that Jari will be lynched by hordes of angry fans feeling let down and betrayed for waiting so long for an album that was disappointing.

Prediction: Exceptional
Expected Release Date: Unknown


Well, the wheels are turning. Let's see what happens in 2010 in music!