Is it just me or has this year really sucked in terms of rock and metal releases? We’re in mid-April and the only stellar album of the year so far has been KXM’s ‘Scatterbrain’. And the fire of that album may be short lived seeing as how Ray Luzier has Korn commitments. They may play a few shows, but most likely won’t do a full scale tour. Other than the KXM release, the only other release that has stood out to me is a 30th anniversary remaster of Judas Priest’s ‘Turbo’ album. Don’t get me wrong. It comes with a fan fucking tastic double live album from the ‘Fuel for Life’ tour; recorded in Kansas City. It sounds amazing and it’s a long, full set live album. Other than those two releases there isn’t much. Richie Kotzen has a fantastic new release ‘Salting Earth’. And there’s also a new Mastadon album which is always a little exciting. And of course the new Deep Purple album is making waves. But that’s about it. In fact, there were only ten notable releases in February. And it’s mostly bands that no one has ever heard of except hardcore death metal folks. And that’s pretty freakin’ weak if you ask me. I’m currently looking at a list of upcoming releases for the month of May. It’s a little better, but it’s still not that great. There are no suspenseful releases. Sure, you got a new Warrant album coming out. But without Jani Lane (may he rest in peace) the band isn’t the same. Plus what they’ve released so far couldn’t be more boring or generic than a straw wrapper. Papa Roach is dropping a new album. But I always thought their music was average and fleeting. Dragonforce, more like Dragonfarce have a new album. But I’m sure it sounds just like everything else they do (machine gun drums and guitar solos that are all notes and no feel). Linkin Park? Total sell outs and they still sound weak. Don’t punish yourself by listening their new single. Danzig? Never cared for him myself but I can see why some would be stoked for a new album. Other than those and Mark Slaughter solo album, there’s nothing coming out in May. May is supposed to be one of the biggest release months out of the year. It’s the beginning of the summer tour season!! For God’s sake what is happening??!! Maybe 2016 spoiled us in terms of album releases. After all the big 4 of thrash all released within 12 months of each other. That hasn’t happened since the 80’s. And all the great bands that released albums last year are on tour now. The list is endless: Megadeth, Dream Theater, Metallica, Anthrax, Prong, Ace Frehley, Cheap Trick, Zakk Wylde, Chevelle, The Cult, Fates Warning, Korn, Meshuggah, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Sword…it goes on and on. So it makes sense why this would be a slow year. Thank God it’s only April and there are plenty of anticipated releases to come later in the year. Who knows what will happen as the year progresses. Hopefully we can get some stronger releases than what’s come out so far. No pressure, System of a Down.
New KXM is scary good.
Great remaster from Priest. Terrific live album included.
Pure excellence from Richie Kotzen. But what else is new?
And that’s about it so far. DERP!!
I was wondering the same thing, every new metal album from 2017 I heard so far was either extremely boring, generic or it straight out sucked, Even the big bands… It’s irritating to think, did people lost all their originality in metal?
Totally, there are a couple of exceptions. Mastodon, Prong is releasing in a few days and Priest should have one out in the fall. There’s the supergroup KXM and of course Cheap Trick but other than that it’s been a slow ass year. I was writing hella new album reviews by summer last year. That was almost all I was doing.