Essential Metal Releases Still To Come in 2014 – Part 2
Welcome to Part 2 of my quick-fire look at some of the best rock & metal that’s still to be released in the latter-half of 2014. Based on this next batch, 2014 could end up being a very strong year indeed. But then, where metal is concerned, there tend to be very few weak years!
If you missed the first part, check it out here:
Essential Metal Releases Still To Come in 2014 – Part 1
Entombed A.D.
Another of those albums that I have already heard but which is worthy of mention here. Not long until it is released and I’m certain that this will please a lot of people regardless of the line-up changes, name changes and politics surrounding one of the most revered bands within the Swedish death metal scene. ‘Back To the Front’ is as close to classic Entombed as you’re going to get; it’s a filthy album full of dirty riffs, tons of groove and caustic lyrics barked over the top. Cracking stuff for those looking for some old-school listening pleasure.
If you don’t believe me, check this out:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrI7IdkaEik&w=560&h=315]
Solstafir – Otta
If this is anywhere near as good as its predecessor, ‘Svartir Sandar’, then be prepared for one of the albums of the year. Post rock/metal is the rough pigeon-hole for those who are interested in such things. For everyone else, it should be enough to simply say that Solstafir play evocative and beautifully atmospheric heavy music that will enrich the soul. I am not alone by having extremely high hopes for ‘Otta’ upon its release towards the end of August.
Here’s the title track from the new album to whet your appetite:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwiQYgjEvy8&w=560&h=315]
The Haunted – Exit Wounds
This new album has been mooted as a return to the early thrash roots of the band. I certainly hope that’s true because The Haunted sprang up from the ashes of seminal melodic death metal band At The Gates and kicked us squarely in the face with some cracking extreme metal in the form of their self-titled debut and ‘The Haunted…Made Me Do It’. Prepared for a lesson in old-school thrash? I am!
A taster of what’s to come:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63YzOuKDGVA&w=560&h=315]
At The Gates – At War With Reality
Speaking of At The Gates, wouldn’t it be great if we saw a return from these guys? Widely regarded as one of, if not the creators of the ‘Gothenburg sound’, At The Gates called it quits in the 90s and most of us had feared we’d heard the last of any new material. However, the band reunited for some select ‘goodbye’ shows a few years back and now we have been given the news that we never dared hope for: a new album. This release is the epitome of exciting, but it is tinged with nerves – will it be as good as their masterpiece ‘Slaughter Of The Soul’? Only time will tell, but I’m keeping everything crossed that it is as good as I hope it is.
No sample tracks available, so I can only offer a teaser trailer:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOmaN4chwJM&w=560&h=315]
