1. RVIVR - Untitled New Album
RVIVR's Self-Titled album in 2010 was and still is one of my favorite records in years. The new songs I've heard from RVIVR can only suggest an even better album. I'm pretty pumped! I just hope they still manage to release it this year after they were recently robbed.
2. Propagandhi - Untitled New Album
Who isn't excited for a new album from Propagandhi that's sure to melt faces off and cause your home to come crumbling down when you blast it from your speakers? They really outdid themselves with Supporting Caste. I'm interested to see how they attempt to top themselves.
3. The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten
I was one of the people that was completely put off by American Slang. I know, let the flame war begin. It just didn't do anything for me. Handwritten's lead single, "45", has me much more excited than anything off that record--except for "Orphans". Fortunately, it won't be a long wait after this publishes.
4. Green Day - Uno! (and Dos!)
It's a new Green Day album. Well, a few new albums. Chances are, at some point you were (or are) a Green Day fan and curiosity keeps bringing you back--whether you've liked their past few releases or not. The idea of an "album trilogy" sure has me rolling my eyes, but I'll gladly take new Green Day when I can get it.
5. Modest Mouse - Untitled New Album
So, supposedly Big Boi has been in the studio with Modest Mouse since last year. I'm sure everyone wants to know what Modest Mouse have up their sleeves. It has been far too long since they last released a record. We can only hope this one actually makes it before the end of the year.
(Aaron)
1. Wintersun - Time I
Time is something these guys apparently have more than enough of; after being in the works for six long, grueling years, Finnish folk/death/power/fucking metal band Wintersun are finally releasing their long awaited sophomore album, Time... in two parts. Apparently, they recorded too much music for one record and didn't want to break it up, so we're not going to hear the second half until 2013. But you know what? If it's half as good as their debut was (and given how long it's taken, it'd better be), Time I surely will not disappoint.
2. Devin Townsend - Epicloud and Casualties of Cool
After the underwhelming releases Ghost and Deconstruction last year, I was a bit apprehensive about Townsend releasing material. However, from the sounds of it, what he's got in store is going to be awesome. Epicloud promises to be true to its name, epic and loud, whereas Casualties of Cool is a softer, Johnny Cash-esque project he's doing alongside vocalist Ché Aimee Dorval. He's aiming to release these two albums side by side in September, so here's hoping Townsend can pull himself back up this year.
3. Cloudkicker - Untitled studio album
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed Let Yourself Be Huge, but 2011 left me jonesing for some of the older, metal Cloudkicker. Judging from the (very small) amount of material he's leaked so far, his next studio album promises to be just that: some ol' fashioned hard rock/heavy metal. Cloudkicker is one of those few artists that has me gripping onto his every word, hoping to glean something about his upcoming works, and knowing his dedicated work ethic, his next full-length album is going to be great.
4. The Gathering - Disclosure
Dutch band The Gathering have always been solid at what they do, namely, making consistently great old fashioned progressive rock time and time again. Judging from the first two singles, the epics "Heroes for Ghosts" and "Meltdown", Disclosure is shaping up to be a pretty awesome record. The only way they could mess it up at this point would be by replacing the rest of the tracks with 44 minutes of silence.
5. Swans - The Seer
Some of the other writers on this website have heard this album already! Am I bitter? Of course not; that would be incredibly childlike of me. Am I trying to remotely access their computers so I can listen to this album? You bet your brains I am. It's a double-disc extravaganza, only their second album after reforming, and from what people are saying (some of us included, nudge nudge), it sounds like its going to be fucking amazing. August cannot arrive soon enough.
(Sarah)
