Essential rock & metal releases still to come in 2017 – Part 3

Welcome to my third instalment of this series, where I dust off my crystal ball – or just trawl the internet obsessively – to bring you the pick of the releases that are still to come in the rock and metal world during the second half of 2017.

If you missed the previous two posts in this series, they can be accessed here:
Essential rock & metal releases still to come in 2017 – Part 1
Essential rock & metal releases still to come in 2017 – Part 2

And now on to the main event…

Subsignal
TBC (‘La Muerta’)
Release date: TBC

Their Facebook page promised that fans would be treated to a new album in 2017 and so far, Subsignal appear to be sticking to their promise. There is no confirmed information regarding a release date but, according to their official social media feeds, production is in progress. The guitars are currently being tracked and the drum recordings are all finished. No final announcement regarding an album title has been forthcoming either, although there is a strong suggestion that it might be called ‘La Muerta’.

Rising from the ashes of Sieges Even, Subsignal are the more immediate, slightly less progressive replacement. And what a replacement they are. Beautiful melodies, deep and thoughtful lyrics, and technically adept compositions all play an important part in the rich aural tapestry that these talented Germans deliver. With a consistency that is frightening, I’m expecting big things from this record as and when it is released.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeHKrRrY55g?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

Nothing More
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Release date: 15 September 2017

For some reason, it feels like a very long time that I have been patiently waiting for a new album from Nothing More. But finally, after featuring them in just about every round-up for the last couple of years in hope more than expectation, I can bring confirmed news. The American band are not normally my kind of thing but their blend of modern rock with djent and pop rock is almost impossible to ignore. The music on their previous, self-titled record, was infectious in the extreme, delivering chorus after chorus full of huge hooks and strong melodies. I was obsessed with this album for weeks.

The new album will be released on 15th September 2017. Entitled ‘The Stories We Tell Ourselves’, I know that this is going to be a big record based on the cuts that they have released so far. Will it beat their last one? Who knows, but I will certainly have fun finding out when the time comes. And you can bet your life that I’ll bring you my thoughts on it as soon as humanly possible.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6c8X_s1h9Y?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

Septicflesh
Codex Omega
Release date: 1 September 2017

I’m a relative newcomer to Greek extreme metal band Septicflesh, only cutting my teeth with them via their 2008 album, ‘Communion’. I’m amazed that the Athens-based death metal band managed to elude me for so long as well, given that their brand of dark, symphonic death metal with an ear for well-placed groove and melody is right up my street. And the fact that a new album is on the horizon nearly passed me by too, but thankfully I found out just in the nick of time.

With Septicflesh, you get the full-on extreme metal experience with ferocious riffing, brutal rhythms and all of the grandiose pomp and ceremony that you could ask for. Mind you, the brutal and uncompromising artwork that accompanies the new record should leave you in no doubt that this is not easy listening for the feint hearted. Just take a listen to the track below, entitled ‘3rd Testament’, to prove the point and to get a firm idea as to what to expect when ‘Codex Omega’ hits the shelves via Season of Mist on 1st September. One spin of this and my expectations just went through the roof.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbnWsq-D0Zg?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

Anubis Gate
Covered In Black
Release date: 1 September 2017

It feels like Anubis Gate have been around forever but in actual fact, the Danes have only been in existence since 2001. In that time, they have released six studio albums, all of which have been of a consistently high standard. It means that every time the quartet announces a new album, those who enjoy their music on the melodic and progressive end of the spectrum will take notice. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything massively negative about Anubis Gate either, which again speaks volumes of their ability to create high quality material.

Unsurprisingly, given the dark and moody cover artwork alongside the album title, ‘Covered In Black’ is billed as the darkest material of the bands’ career. This sounds intriguing and I can’t wait to find out if this will be the album that tops my personal favourite, ‘Andromeda Unchained’. Naturally, I will feed back as soon as possible.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw9yJofxRZQ?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

Nocturnal Rites
Phoenix
Release date: 29 September 2017

Despite the fear in some corners that Nocturnal Rites might be no more, the melodic metal band have finally officially announced that a new album is on the way. Back in 2013, founding member Fredrik Mannberg went on record with Bravewords.com to confirm that new material was being worked on. But another four years of near silence will have got the nerves jangling a little amongst the faithful. It is now an entire decade since they released ‘The 8th Sin’ but at last, their patient fan base has been rewarded in the way that they would have hoped.

Somewhat fittingly, Nocturnal Rites’ ninth release is entitled ‘Phoenix’ and will see the light of day on 29th September via AFM Records. Whilst I wouldn’t refer to myself as a dyed-in-the-wool diehard, I really like their output and so I am eager as anyone to hear what impact the intervening ten years has had on Nocturnal Rites. On the basis of this track, could the wait have been fully worth it?…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09e6d0Yr0e0?rel=0&w=560&h=315]