50+ New Metal Albums Drop This Week
The metal scene exploded with over 50 new albums and EPs released in a single week, spanning doom, black metal, death metal, and more. Releases range from established acts like Dark Throne, Rainbow, and Godsmack to emerging artists like Aids Wolf and Axe Dragger, with significant representation from both major and indie labels. The breadth includes everything from psychedelic to classic heavy metal, reflecting a healthy, innovative ecosystem.
Among the new releases is the debut from Axe Dragger, a supergroup formed by original Pantera vocalist Terry Glaze, Fu Manchu guitarist Bob Balch, Dark Funeral bassist Fredrik Isaksson, and ex-Pentagram drummer Pete Campbell. Their self-titled album, released via Ripple Music, is heavily influenced by '80s titans like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Dio. Several legacy acts are offering retrospective releases. Norwegian black metal pioneers Darkthrone are issuing their first-ever official live album, "As Wolves Among Sheep… Live In Oslo," capturing a rare 1990 performance. They are also releasing a 10-disc box set, "The Fist In The Face Of God," to celebrate their 40-year career. Similarly, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow is releasing "Temple Of The King," a comprehensive 9-CD box set. This collection chronicles the band's formative years of 1975-1976, featuring their first two studio albums with Ronnie James Dio, multiple full live concerts, and rare recordings. Godsmack's contribution is a 25th-anniversary deluxe edition of their sophomore album, "Awake." The reissue includes five bonus tracks, such as a cover of Black Sabbath's "Sweet Leaf." This release comes after frontman Sully Erna confirmed the band will continue with new members following the retirement of their longtime guitarist and drummer. On the independent front, Montreal noise-rock outfit Aids Wolf has released "Harsh Human Style," their first collection of material in over a decade. The EP consists of four previously unheard songs recorded in 2012, after what was considered their final LP. The sheer volume of releases is part of a larger trend within metal, where the barrier to recording and distributing music has significantly lowered. This has led to an explosion in output, with underground and independent artists fueling a period of genre-blending and experimentation, ensuring a steady stream of new music for fans across all subgenres.
