2020 has a lot going for it already with a slew of stellar albums dropping right at the start AND a year where Ozzy will release new material is a feat in itself. Also on the horizon beyond what we’ve listed below is a new beast from Rawk Gods Aeges (Review coming soon), more maniacal mayhem from Dog Fashion Disco, Megadeth’s triumphant return, and the original members of Static X reuniting to bring the late Wayne Static’s final recordings to light as a whole new full-length due this May. Hell, even Duran Duran will supposedly be back this spring with the follow up to 2015’s Paper Gods!
But I digress.
20. Kirk Windstein- Dream In Motion (January 24th/Entertainment One): This falls high up the anticipated list simply because we’ve heard it and we know it’s awesome (Review coming soon). In a year that’s already promising 25th anniversary (Holy shit!) celebrations of Down’s delightful debut with Windstein returning to the fold, a long gestating solo album from the sultan of Sludge is the absolute best possible way to kick off what’s sure to be a triumphant year.
19. Julien-K- Harmonic Disruptor (Early 2020): This is one of those gorgeous ones where I can add it to the list knowing full well what it sounds like because there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of backing a band monetarily when you can on a platform like Indiegogo. For fans who’ve followed the Julien-K (r)evolution over the years: nothing will prepare you for what’s to come in 2020. The opening salvo alone is worth the price of admission and once you’re in, you’ll never want to leave. Stay tuned for our super advanced review later this month…
18. Stabbing Westward- Dead and Gone (January 3rd): Firstly, Stabbing Westward is back! The Industrial Alternative Pop darlings return with a plethora of EP’s which will eventually culminate to form a new full-length due out later in the year. The first piece of the puzzle releases on January 3rd. And maybe if we’re all good, we’ll get a new album from The Dreaming while we’re at it!
17. Ascension of the Watchers- (Stormcrow/TBD): Another artist affected by the Pledgemusic debacle, Ascension of the Watchers was well on their way to releasing their highly anticipated sophomore full-length going so far as to debut the epic “Ghost Heart” before issues with funding seemed to derail the project. However, due to recent social media posts from mastermind Burton C. Bell, it seems that work may have resumed on his Electro/Ambient alter ego and this might be the year that new AOTW sees the light of day.
16. Tombs- Monarchy Of Shadows (February 28/Season of Mist): Tombs is like a roller coaster of a band filled with ups and downs. The only constant is main man Mike Hill who looks to bring some more diversity to Tombs’ ever expanding sound for an EP that, upon first listen to the title track, seems to have more in common with 2016’s vibrant All Empires Fall EP than 2017’s bludgeoning The Grand Annihilation full-length. Whatever it sounds like, we’ll be on the edge of our seat in anticipation. Pre-order yours now by clicking here.
15. Poppy- I Disagree (January 10th/Sumerian Records): I gotta be honest, upon first seeing/hearing the title track from Poppy’s forthcoming new record, I was dumbfounded. What was I watching? The attention it was getting made me feel that I should instantly like it….but I didn’t. Was this another Babymetal for me? Avenged Sevenfold? Then Poppy performed on NXT and it was pretty frickin’ cool…and then “BLOODMONEY” dropped and I kinda really dug it with the guitar swag of Bones UK surrounded by modern Pop and Metal….and then one of my most favorite artists, VOWWS, was announced as main support for both the upcoming European and North American tours….and then I was hooked. You might be, too, when I Disagree drops soon.
14. Alain Johannes- TBA (TBD/Ipecac Recordings): Eleven, Them Crooked Vultures, Chris Cornell, Queens Of The Stone Age….Alain Johannes has forever aligned himself with the best of the best in modern Rawk and when he goes it alone longtime fans know why he’s so sought after. Stay tuned for more info on what’s sure to be a phenomenal follow up to 2014’s Fragments & Wholes, Vol. 1.
13. Rob Zombie- TBA (TBD/Nuclear Blast): 2013’s Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor reminded me once again why Rob Zombie was my most favorite native ghoul but then the follow up (2016’s The Electric Warlock…) reminded me that Zombie’s solo career has definitely been one of ups and downs. But! Judging from his record, and following an anniversary live set of Astro Creep 2000 along with comments from guitarist John 5 as well as an artistic high point with 2019’s Three From Hell theatrical release, 2020’s upcoming seventh album might be THE one to watch for in 2020.
12. Marilyn Manson- TBA (TBD): In 2019, MM did another round of touring with Rob Zombie as the Twins Of Evil and released a plethora of covers that captured the feel of his last two opuses. A new album has been in the works for some time now so hopefully fans will get at least a taste before he hits the road with the Prince of Darkness (Ozzy, duh.) this summer.
11. Rorschach Test- Done With Satan (February 20): All hail the mighty Rorschach Test! From the ’90’s and the golden age of Slipdisc (16Volt! Drown! Nihil!) came James Baker’s Rorschach Test and their underrated Industrial banger Unclean which, to this day, still owns. It’s been some time since Baker and company have made that sweet mechanical mayhem sing but 2020 will end the silence with a new record produced by none other than Tad Doyle (Tad, Brothers of the Sonic Cloth). Order it now by clicking here.
10. Gojira- TBA (TBD/Roadrunner Records): 2016’s masterpiece Magma showed off a new side of the French metallers and fans have been chomping at the bit over the last year or so in anticipation of what’s to come especially with the quartet recently doing the rounds on stage as part of Slipknot’s inaugural Knotfest Roadshow touring package last summer.
9. Testament- TBA (TBD/Nuclear Blast): A band that has continually knocked on the door of the Big Four kicks off 2020 with a European tour featuring fellow Thrash vets Exodus and Death Angel and a new album completed and ready to go beyond expectations.
8. Mastodon- TBA (TBD/Warner Bros): Atlanta’s favorite monoliths of Metal get better and better with each release. 2017’s Emperor of Sand might’ve been their best yet, going in new directions while retaining the heaviness that fans are used to so it’s no wonder that anticipation is already high as to what’s to follow.
7. Dubioza kolektiv- #FAKENEWS (January 28th): One of our absolute favorite multi-cultural outfits who incorporate elements of Ska, Reggae, Hip-Hop, Punk, and Electro into their sound that we think just all around RAWKS will start the new decade with a brand new album that’s sure to astound as evidenced by first single “Wild Wild East”.
6. Asking Alexandria- TBA (TBD): It’s always a great thing when you hit a show and a band you had no interest in seeing ends up being the highlight. That was the case over the summer while bringing Jesse Jr (Not his name) to his and my first Papa Roach show with Bad Wolves opening. Much to both our surprise the band sandwiched between them, Asking Alexandria, might’ve been the most entertaining band of the evening. Riding high from one off single “The Violence” in 2019 and a deluxe reissue of their 2017 self-titled album last week, AA seem ready for action once again.
5. Youth Code- TBA (TBD): Another outfit that gets better and better with each release, Youth Code spent 2019 on the road and putting the finishing touches on a new full-length that’s sure to blow what came before out of the water. Sara Taylor and Ryan George are the Electro/Industrial power duo that you should definitely be paying attention to if you aren’t already.
4. Code Orange- TBA (TBD/Roadrunner Records): It’s been three years since 2017’s defining Forever and in the time since, Code Orange has toured their collective asses off, put new singles out in conjunction with WWE and their NXT development brand, and released an EP featuring Corey Taylor. With a brand new website recently launched teasing… something… Code Orange look to finally be back with the anticipated follow-up to Forever.
3. Old Man Gloom TBA (TBD): Their first without Caleb Scofield, Old Man Gloom forge ahead with Stephen Brodsky (Mutoid Man, Cave In) filling the void left by the departed bassist/vocalist. Drummer Santos Montano has been teasing the new material he’s been working on alongside Aaron Turner and Nate Newton for some time through a series of informative, often hilarious, and some pretty heartfelt social media posts depending on the day. For the latest, do yourself a favor and follow the band here or here.
2. Fozzy- 2020 (TBD/Century Media): After finally reading the Zakk Wylde manifesto and becoming enamored with wrestling again and absolutely loving the last Fozzy record, it’s a no-brainer that their upcoming 8th LP would place on our most anticipated list. With single “Nowhere To Run” solidly rawking with crunching guitars and an inherent groove already hinting at what’s to come and a just announced Spring tour set to kick off soon, it’s also a no-brainer that Le Champion and Fozzy are looking to do some serious damage in 2020 with 2020.
1. Lamb Of God TBA (TBD/Sony): This is why we wait until the very last minute to post these massive preview lists because ya never know what’s going to be announced. Such is the case with our most anticipated of 2020 with the Virginia quintet posting studio clips along with “Lamb Of God 2020” just the other day. It’s been five years since VII and in the interim LOG has recorded a covers record under original moniker Burn The Priest, lost a founding member (Drummer Chris Adler), and toured the world several times over with Slayer on their final run giving new drummer Art Cruz (Ministry, Prong) a true trial by fire so be prepared for some brand new incendiary Metal to follow soon.
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