Every day we’re faced with an onslaught of album announcements so we thought we’d start sharing the soon-to-be-released love by putting together a list of the most notable and exciting album announcements on a weekly basis.
Mastodon
Once More ‘Round The Sun
Release Date: 24th June
Label: Reprise
Why You Should Care: Singer/bassist Troy Sanders said it best himself in a recent discussion with Paste; Once More ‘Round The Sun is “60-or-so minutes of pure, authentic Mastodon.” Produced by Nick Raskulinecz (Deftones, Alice In Chains) the first heavy hitting, motorbike-revving goodness of ‘High Road’ has just been released, set to accompany another 10 tracks when the album drops. Rumoured to have a guest appearance from Neurosis’ Scott Kelly, it’s solid and ready to give metal junkies their fix all around the globe.
Tracklisting:
1. Tread Lightly
2. The Motherload
3. High Road
4. Once More ‘Round The Sun
5. Chimes At Midnight
6. Asleep In The Deep
7. Feast Your Eyes
8. Aunt Lisa
9. Ember City
10. Halloween
11. Diamond In The Witch House
Kasabian
48:13
Release Date: 13th June
Label: Sony Music
Why You Should Care: ‘’Less is more you know’’ said frontman Tom Meighan as the rockers change direction and hit the dancefloor with new track ‘Eez-eh’. The fifth studio album contain everything that defines the Leicester foursome, stripped back and polished over a career spanning 10 years. What more could an album be then the sum of all its parts? Comprising 13 tracks that run for a combined total of 48 minutes and 13 seconds (thus the title), the simplicity and refreshed approach has already been named as Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record and a hot new video for ‘Eez-eh’, posted by the group just yesterday. With that said, put it in your diary now so you don’t miss it (not that it’s possible anyway!)
Tracklisting:
1. (Shiva)
2. Bumblbeee
3. Stevie
4. (Mortis)
5. Doomsday
6. Treat
7. Glass
8. Explodes
9. (Levitation)
10. Clouds
11. Eez-eh
12. Bow
13. S.P.S
Northlane
Singularity Deluxe Edition
Release Date: 16th May
Label: UNFD
Why You Should Care: Thank fate, the metal gods, Shiva or whatever you believe in – Northlane will be releasing a deluxe edition of the ARIA chart smashing Singularity enhanced and super awesomely delivered with instrumental versions of all the tracks. Including a booklet written by vocalist Adrian Fitipaldes featuring explanations of the themes of each track, the physical version will also come with a soft pack including live photos and additional pieces of art from the original booklet. The release will arrive just in time as the Sydney five-piece headline their own mini music festival around the country.
Tracklisting:
1. Genesis
2. Scarab
3. Windbreaker
4. Worldeater
5. Quantum Flux
6. Dream Awake
7. The Calling
8. Masquerade
9. Singularity
10. Aspire
White Sea
In Cold Blood
Release Date: 23rd May
Label: POD / Inertia
Why You Should Care: After putting M83 on the radar and receiving production credits and building an extensive tour portfolio, this album is poised to be one of the most anticipated debuts of 2014. M83 vocalist Morgan Kibby will be releasing her debut solo project in a dreamy electronic based scene encapsulating synth-pop and melodic rock. Fans can pre-order now through iTunes and will receive an instant download of the first two singles, ‘Prague’ and ‘They Don’t Know’. Not long to wait now, this will be just enough to get by until the futuristic drama of White Sea drops in 22 days.
Tracklisting:
1. They Don’t Know
2. Prague
3. Future Husbands Past Lives
4. For My Love
5. Warsaw
6. Ex-Pat
7. Small December
8. NYC Love You
9. Flash
10. It Will End In Disaster
Swans
To Be Kind
Release Date: 9th May
Label: Mute / Create/Control
Why You Should Care: Swans fans can thank themselves for this one. With the recording process funded generously through the sale of a hand made double live CD a vast majority of the new material was written over the 2012/13 tour. The new record was produced by Michael Gira himself, recorded by the wise and charismatic John Congleton at Sonic Ranch, and features special guests St. Vincent, Cold Specks Al Spx and Bill Rieflin. Possibly the best part is To Be Kind will be released on triple vinyl, double CD and a 2xCD deluxe edition including a live DVD.
Tracklisting:
1. Screenshot
2. Just A Little Boy (For Chester Burnett)
3. A Little God In My Hands
4. Bring The Sun
5. Toussaint L’Ouverture
6. Some Things We Do
7. She Loves Us
8. Kirsten Supine
9. Oxygen
10. Nathalie Neal
11. To Be Kind
Manic Street Preachers
Futurology
Release Date: 11th July
Label: Sony Music
Why You Should Care: Furious, propulsive and expansive the 12th studio album from the Manics was inspired by travelling Europe and the maverick music of Krautrock and New Pop. Boasting guest appearances from the likes of Green Gartside (Scritti Politti), Cian Ciaran (Super Fury Animals) and German film star Nina Hoss it was recorded at Hansa Studios. Produced by the group with input from Alex Silva (The Holy Bible) with finishing mix touches entrusted to Craig Silvey it’s ‘’A magical feeling that makes you think of soundtracks in your head as you’re travelling through this landscape’’ stated frontman James Dean Bradfield.
Tracklisting:
1. Futurology
2. Walk Me To The Bridge
3. Let’s Go To War
4. The Next Jet To Leave Moscow
5. Europa Geht Durch Mich
6. Divine Youth
7. Sex, Power Love and Money
8. Dreaming A City (Hughesovka)
9. Black Square
10. Between The Clock And The Bed
11. Misguided Missile
12. The View From Stow Hill
13. Mayakovsky
In Flames
Siren Charms
Release Date: 5th September
Label: Sony Music
Why You Should Care: The Swedish group has not only redefined modern metal but expanded it well beyond its boundaries. To add to their successful gold record Sounds Of A Playground Playing, they locked themselves in the legendary Hansa Studios in Berlin and just released the first look ‘Rusted Nail’ in a tantalising 58-second cut. Be ready, if the sample is anything to go by – jammed with huge riffs, building guitar anticipation and heavy overlay – it’ll have all the head-banging goodness needed in a metal record, the full track is set to be released on June 16.
Tracklisting:
1. In Plain View
2. Everything’s Gone
3. Paralyzed
4. Through Oblivion
5. With Eyes Wide Open
6. Siren Charms
7. When The World Explodes
8. Rusted Nail
9. Dead Eyes
10. Monsters In The Ballroom
11. Filtered Truth
