So as 2010 comes to an end, we all forget the mistakes of the past year, the dodgy synth driven pop albums of aged Nu-Metal acts, the mediocre drivel released by once good bands, and now look forwards to the promised releases of the forthcoming year. Will the albums be as brilliant as promised, or will they flop quicker than my penis after I see Lady Gaga on TV? Time will tell.
So which albums should you watch out for in 2011? Read on after the jump to find out.
Trent Reznor/Nine Inch Nails
This one isn’t so much a recommendation, but more of a warning. If the rumors are correct, Trent will be releasing more synthetic, programmed drum beats and bleeps, and calling it music. Well, he calls it “music”, his fans call it “genius,” and anyone with a good set of ears calls it crap.
Be warned, he’s probably going to release new music under the name How to Destroy Angels, and then release the same crappy music, but with a male voice (his) instead, under the Nine Inch Nails name. Ugh.
Linkin Park
See above.
You thought A Thousand Suns was the worst thing you had ever heard? Well apparently the band will be releasing another similar album in 2011. Oh joy…
Opeth
It’s now been well over two years since the release of Opeth’s ninth studio album, Watershed. Although that album was far from being my favorite from the band, there is no such thing as a bad Opeth album, and you can bet your ass the next album will also be fantastic. You know the drill by now; awesome Death Metal mixed with melancholy acoustic segments and luscious keyboard sections.
The band announced on their website they will start recording their tenth album on the 31st of January 2011 at the Atlantis/Metronome studios in Stockholm, once again with Jens Bogren (engineering) and Steven Wilson from Porcupine Tree.
Dream Theater
More tremendous Prog Metal expected to hit stores in 2011, with Dream Theater working on a brand new album. This will also mark the first occasion the band will be writing an album without founder, Mike Portnoy. The band has allegedly found a new drummer, but is not ready yet to reveal who it is. If reports are correct though, it’s looking likely the drummer is Marco Minnemann.
Will the band sink more than the titanic, or will they triumph in the face of adversity? You’ll just have to wait and see.
Machine Head
Machine Head are undoubtedly Metal legends. We won’t talk about that little fling they had with dreadlocks, red caps and rapping, because the band have more than made up for this brief fumble since then. Through the Ashes of Empires was an astounding comeback album for the band, but nothing would prepare Machine Head fans (or the Metal world in general) for what would come next. Releasing The Blackening in 2007, Machine Head took the promise they had showed on TTAOE, and completely blew it away. From the, now infamous, Aesthetics of Hate to epic Halo, every single track was an instant MH classic. TheBlackening is, without doubt, this generation’s Master of Puppets.
And that brings me onto the next album. It’s going to be interesting what the band do next. They have a lot to live up to now, but regardless, I’m sure Machine Head’s next release will still be a top album. Perhaps, The Blackening was the band finally reaching their musical peak after 15 long years, but the next effort will see Machine Head polish and perfect their talent, creating an equally awesome album.
In November 2010, Machine Head began writing and demoing new material for their seventh studio album, which they hope to officially start recording by April 2011. A late 2011 release date is expected.
That’s it for part one guys. Thanks for reading and look out for part 2 to follow shortly.
