But that's just one song...and with David's ''more is more'' approach to songwriting, how the hell will you enjoy an 80 minute long album that's plagued by bizarre autotuned vocals, a crappy production job, fake drums and whatnot? Don't get me wrong, their 90s stuff is something I'll forever be grateful for, but could you imagine what those classic VS tracks would have ended up like had they been released in a modern variant? To me there's just no hope anymore and I really struggle to see why people are still expecting quality from this band, or perhaps best said, David DeFeis himself at this point.

Honestly I'm a bit curious to listen to a new Virgin Steele album for the trainwreck value, and to hear how much David yells out YOW, YOW YOW.

Asphodelus are writing a new album apparently. The debut was a cool slab of nostalgic doom/death metal - here's hoping they can even better themselves.

We still expect quality from VS because they have given quality in the past. Even in these new recordings, you can still suss out the man's awesome songwriting style, I already mentioned this. It is being hopeful at this point but if he puts together a full band, not just him noodling away on keyboards with a little solo by Ed, they can create something solid. He's in dire need of band cooperation.

Speak for yourself, buddy. Honesty this sounds like a lame argument - too many bands change too much over time with shitty albums as a result.



I really don't hear that anymore - now those songs you mentioned (one being a bonus track, after all) aren't exactly songs that would define Virgin Steele sound's well, but to me the last VS album that showed some potential was The Black Light Bacchanalia and even that one had a lot of flaws (songs that resonated too much around conceptual stories, weird vocal style, fake drums, ect).



But that's the thing here. He most likely won't - and hasn't worked together in over a decade, which you can tell by the ''band's'' records since 2006 or so. Are you sure you're not being irrationally optimistic here?

I'm being a fan that hasn't given up on the band. Is that irrationally optimistic? I don't believe so. I happen to still see possibilities in the current decline of Virgin Steele's music. I agree with the point about bands changing all the time and who says VS can't change for the better? When I say collectively that they have given us quality before, god damn that's nearly factual by now. They have! It is therefore not irrational to hope they can do this again.

I keep hoping for a new Daylight Dies album. I thought they were planning something for 2020.

Absolutely, they don't have enough fans here, especially given the popularity of doom and death metal. It's been over eight years too, which is twice as long as they've ever taken between albums, so I'm a little worried.

New Peste Noire probably coming out some time in 2021.

Very curious to see whether Famine opts for a return to the more traditional PN sound, or ventures into experimental territory once more.

New Daylight Dies would indeed be cool. Haven't thought about those guys in a while. I remember seeing they were working on new stuff a couple years ago but I guess nothing has materialized yet. Their first two albums are outstanding, some of the best melodic doom metal from America.

Do you not like their latest two albums, or just haven't heard them?

Anyone know if Outre is planning on releasing in 2021? Their last album was miles ahead of Ghost Chants and one of my favorite extreme albums of the past ten or so years.

Might be too early to say for sure, but Possessed are already in the process of writing and demoing new songs. "Revelations of Oblivion" delivered exactly what I wanted, so more of that already is absolutely welcome.

New Briton Rites album coming in December! Will announce release date soon. In the meantime watch here:

https://echoesofcromrecords.com/

There's a new Eyehategod album scheduled for a Spring 2021 release through Century Media. The first single will be out on December 4. I don't know how many people are into them on this board, but I'm looking forward to it. Their self-titled comeback was really good.

Mefitis are going to release a new album next year too. The debut was promising so I'm definitely expecting more greatness from this band.

The new Exodus album is officially titled "Persona Non Grata" and is scheduled for a summer release. Not much else in the way of significant details right now but as I was keep track of the recording process, there will be a song that has dual trade-off solos between Gary Holt and Kragen Lum, and then with Rick Hunolt and Lee Altus.

I actually enjoyed the "split". Absurd art choices aside, the music was really solid, even outstanding at times.

Oh fuck, great news man. Still love the debut.

Matt Harvey has been teasing full lengths for Dekapitator and Scarecrow lately. I've been waiting for a new Dekapitator album for years and Scarecrow fell apart shortly after forming but they're back togethering demoing new stuff right now.

New Sacramentum release was pushed back, so that.

I take it you're subscribed to his blog, too? It's a great read and the insight he's provided is really interesting. He's quietly become one of the busiest guys in the genre over the last 10-20 years and just about all of it is quality while all standing completely on its own. I wasn't even aware he also worked for Bartolini until earlier this year. Guy's done pretty good for himself and I'm happy for his success.

Indeed, I am. I always enjoy reading and listening to what he has to say. And with how many bands he has there's always news. Ever since he reactivated Exhumed he's been going nonstop. Although, I haven't heard anything regarding Expulsion in a long time. His guitar play throughs for Exhumed songs have been fun to watch too.

I just recently watched a long and interesting interview with him conducted by the drummer of Birdflesh.

Same here. I would say that perhaps it was a less consistent album in terms of quality overall, but "Aux Armes" and "Aristocrasse" in particular are genius and among his best work, in my opinion. I'm actually kind of hoping the next album will continue in that vein, rather than rehash their more traditional sound.

Damn I had no idea about a new Scorpions!

I'm really hoping for new releases by Dodheimsgard and Abigor, some of my favourites when it comes to black metal

This is the most ridiculous shit I've ever seen and I'm all about it.

https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcam ... -the-storm

It certainly is. Sounds fun though!

Blut Aus Nord is the big one. Everything to do with release dates seems very much up in the air right now but hopefully that one's actually in the pipe.

I....love this?

As soon as the vocals kicked in I was like, this has to be Japanese... immediate Speed Metal Metalucifer feels... I was not disappointed in finding it is indeed Japanese. Awesome.

I’m anticipating the Malakhim full length coming out on Iron Bonehead. Also just want to mention the new Ondskapt, I know it’s coming out this month but I had no idea and I’m super excited for it!! I thought they were done.

Mastodon is working on a new release. I read an interview that they have enough material for two albums.

Remember that obscure project named Vaivatar that came out toward the end of 2017? I loved that record so much, and I keep hoping whoever is behind that project will resurface with something new soon. Maybe 2021 is the year?

For those that don't know or remember:
https://vaivatar.bandcamp.com/

Zhrine! "The new album is almost ready, and hopefully, it will see the light of day soon".

You can listen to 16 minutes of new material here: https://www.ruv.is/sjonvarp/spila/undir ... g7JWom8Qmg

I'm really curious about a new Neurosis album because apparently when they were getting together for their 30th anniversary shows a few years ago and revisiting some of that old material, it inspired them to write a full new album's worth of music (I think it was Scott who said "We 'accidentally' wrote a new album...") that was NOT Fires Within Fires, since that was already about to be released. Fires was good, though hasn't had me urging to come back to it like most of the others, and I'm curious to see if revisiting older material has them wanting to get a bit more aggressive again (or at least get Dave doing some vocals again, dammit! We need that caveman roar back!)

----

As for officially confirmed... I'm already anticipating my AOTY to be The Ruins Of Beverast's new album, as Alexander's on an incredible hot-streak. Exuvia was a peculiar shift with the native tribal influences, but it worked so perfectly well with his writing. I have no clue where he's taking his music next, but I'm absolutely mother-fucking stoked as hell!

Fen is also writing new material, and they've been on an "every-two-years-on-average" sort of cycle (which is pretty surprising given how complex their writing is). They've always been great, and the current run of Carrion Skies-Winter-The Dead Light is particularly excellent! It took a few albums of experimentation, but they've fully settled into their own unique sound and it's fucking awesome.

Are you sure about that? I remember that exact quote but it was about how they accidentally composed Fires Within Fires in just a week, but then it took them a few months to record it even though it was already fully composed. I may be wrong though, I can't find that interview. I was at two of the 30th anniversary shows and they were great btw.

Got it.


https://overblown.co.uk/steve-von-till- ... souls/amp/

Obligatory Coroner mention.

Some of the old hats need to hang it up, maybe. Amon Amarth hasn't released a really stellar album in more than 10 years. They're just coasting at this point. Arch Enemy has gotten so boring under Alyssa that I barely listen to their old stuff anymore. I'd like to see Nergal get whatever he's got out of his system and deliver a decent Behemoth album.

Could use some more Cor Scorpii & Gorod. A couple of the bands that made a big splash in recent AOTY polls, like Hyperion and Aorlhac would be nice.

I really liked Dystopia, and I like Dirk's drumming, so I'm excited to hear the next Megadeth record. I remember seeing some video Dave posted on one of his social media feeds when Dirk was basically playing a blastbeat. Could be a fierce record.

EDIT... Here is the video for anyone that hasn't seen it

lol, those are some of my favorite chips, and the guy even comments on them...good to know I at least have a few things in common with Dirk.

I'm not as hardcore a Megadeth fan as some here I'm sure, so I could be wrong, but I don't recall any blastbeats or double bass at that high a velocity on anything they've done yet. Not that it guarantees that the album will be great, because Dave really can't sing anymore (he barely could to begin with) and just isn't as inspired anymore, but we can still hope for the best. At least the drumming and Kiko's solos will be good.