Still to come in 2018 – Part 2
Welcome to day 2 of my look ahead at what’s to come in the second half of 2018. After featuring four potentially killer releases within part 1, I’m back with another hugely exciting batch of albums that, all being well, should see the light of day before the year is out.
If you missed the first part of this mini-series, it can be viewed here:
Still to come in 2018 – Part 1
So, without further ado, here come four more big albums that I’m seriously looking forward to:
Distorted Harmony
‘A Way Out’
Independent Release
Release date: 19 July 2018
I’ll admit that I’m cheating just a little bit here, because I have already heard this album, having been sent it by the band so that I can offer my review of it. Indeed, there are other sites that have already put pen to paper and released their review. However, I have limited spare time these days and I like to take my time over these things. So whilst it is very much on the radar, I haven’t yet committed my thoughts to a published review.
What I will say though, is that the previous album, ‘Chain Reaction’, from this Israeli progressive metal band was one of my favourites in 2014. Timeless melodies, heaviness, complexity and a fair dose of originality combined to stunning effect and knocked me for six. Despite keyboardist Yoav Efron admitting to me around the release of ‘Chain Reaction’ that he was bored of progressive music, it is a delight and a surprise to have new material from Distorted Harmony. And the fact that it is so good, is the icing on the cake. Every bit as good as its predecessor, expect a review of the crunchy, modern and more electronic-heavy ‘A Way Out’ very soon indeed.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKrrbwhdEsk&w=560&h=315]
Darkwater
‘TBC’
Ulterium Records
Release date: TBC
For about the millionth time (I’m not prone to exaggeration as you can tell!), I bring you a look ahead at what’s to come and within it, I mention Darkwater. I feel like I have mentioned this band so many times over the years. It is partly because we’ve been promised new material for so long, but more importantly, it is because I am so desperate to hear new material from this most excellent of bands.
We’ve yet to have 100% confirmation that the new album will see the light of day in 2018, but I am ever hopeful. And on 22 June, the latest update from band mastermind, Henrik Båth stated the following:
“It’s getting closer…
#recording #vocals #swedish #metal #darkwaterofficial #newalbum#progressive #soon #henrikbåth”
Let’s hope that our patience is rewarded and that we have a new album chock full of synth-heavy epic, memorable and darkly-tinged melodic progressive metal to enjoy very soon. My fingers are firmly crossed, I can tell you.
Seventh Wonder
‘Tiara’
Frontiers Records
Release date: 12 October 2018
Confirmed news of a new Seventh Wonder album is music to the ears of progressive metal fans the world over. Tommy Karevik may now be better known in the heavy metal mainstream as the voice of Kamelot but, for me, he will always be first and foremost the frontman for the exceptionally talented Swedish prog metal band Seventh Wonder. His melodic, pop-friendly delivery is the perfect counterpoint to the highly complex and technical musical output that Seventh Wonder are famed for.
Seven years or more on from the release of ‘The Gresat Escape’, it is high time that the patience of fans is rewarded and finally, we have ‘Tiara’ to look forward to, to brighten up the dark nights of the autumn. On the strength of the material that has been delivered to date, I have no doubt that the quality of the material will be of an exceptionally high standard and a worthy addition to the Seventh Wonder back catalogue. Unfortunately, being on Frontiers Records, it means that I’ll be lucky to even get a stream to review. However, for Seventh Wonder, I’ll make the effort and bring you a review as soon as I possibly can.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Raz0TKEox6A&w=560&h=315]
Into Eternity
‘The Sirens’
Kolony Records
Release date: 3 August 2018
At long, long last, the deafening silence has been broken and I can confirm with joy and delight, that a new Into Eternity album is on the way. Entitled ‘The Sirens’, it will be released on 3rd August, so in just a little under a month’s time. I’m really excited to find out if the decade-long wait has been worth it and if this new album matches the quality of the exceptional ‘Buried In Oblivion’ from 2004.
In the decade since they released ‘The Incurable Tragedy’, much has changed in the world of Into Eternity regarding their line-up. Vocalist Stu Block left to join the metal juggernaut that is Iced Earth and has been replaced by Amanda Kiernan. Also new to the ranks are drummer Bryan Newbury and guitarist Matt Cuthbertson. Block was such an integral part of the band’s sound that it’ll be really intriguing to hear how Into Eternity sound with a new vocalist. However, based on the first track that has ben released so far, I have a positive feeling about the long-awaited return from this bunch of Canadians.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5rOJADB4GE&w=560&h=315]
