Top 5 Most Anticipated Heavy Metal Releases of 2009

2008 was a great year in metal, featuring quality releases from Metallica, Judas Priest, Opeth, Amon Amarth, and a slew of lesser known bands, such as Cynic, Torture Square, Communic, and Woods of Ypres.

From the legendary to the up and coming, 2009 promises us another round of great new releases.

Heaven and Hell - TBA

Heaven and Hell is made up of current and former members of Black Sabbath. Featuring Tony Iommi on guitars, Geezer Butler on bass, Vinny Appice on drums, and Ronnie James Dio on vocals this band is veritable heavy metal super group. They have released three songs on Black Sabbath's The Dio Years compilation so far.

On December 1, 2008 Vinny Appice revealed that the band currently has 75% of the new album done and is looking to have the album released sometime in March or April 2009 through Rhino Records. This is an album to look out for, especially if you like classic Iommi riffs and Dio vocals.

Lamb of God - Wrath

Wrath will be the fifth studio album from American metalcore band Lamb of God. They have been called the leaders of a the New Wave of American Heavy Metal. Lamb of God features Randy Blythe on vocals, Mark Morton and Willie Adler on guitars, John Campbell on bass, and Chris Adler on drums.

Chris Adler said, "This album is going to surprise a lot of people. Typically bands that get to where we are in our career begin to slack off, smell the roses and regurgitate. We chose a different path. No one wants to hear another band member hyping a new record. 'Wrath' needs no hype. We have topped ourselves and on February 24 you will feel it." Wratch is scheduled to be released on February 23, 2009 through Roadrunner Records.

Iron Maiden - TBA

Iron Maiden is another band that needs absolutely no introduction. They've got fourteen studio albums already under their belt and have been making quality heavy metal since 1975. Steve Harris (bass) said in a recent Metal Edge interview that he would like to make a fifteenth album and Bruce Dickinson (vocals) has been rumored to say it is likely to come out in 2009.

There's really no other information about this album, but you can rest assured that when it's released it will feature some timeless galloping riffs and amazing solos (courtesy of Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Janick Gers). One can only hope it'll be in 2009. Up the irons!

Dream Theater - TBA

America's leading progressive metal band, Dream Theater, is planning on releasing their 10^th studio album in 2009. According to Jordan Ruddess's (keyboards) web diary, the band entered the studio on October 7, 2008. On November 27, 2008 Mike Portnoy (drums) posted on his forums that the drums parts of the new album are finished. He went on to say that the album will have something "A Change of Seasons, Octavarium, Learning to Live, Pull Me Under and The Glass Prison" (all long, epic songs) all on a single album.

Wintersun- Time

Wintersun is a lesser known extreme metal band hailing from Finland. They blend many different styles together-as band leader Jari Mäenpää (guitars, vocals, and keyboards) puts it, "Extreme Majestic Technical Epic Melodic Metal."

Their second full length release, Time, has been in production since May 2, 2006. After being delayed for numerous technical reasons, it's set to be released in 2009 through Nuclear Blast records.

2009 also promises to bring us numerous other releases, from acts such as Kreator, God Forbid, Grave Digger, and an Emperor DVD. Chances are there will be a few surprises, too. Stay heavy!

Sources:

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=109939

http://www.idiomag.com/peek/47670/lamb_of_god

http://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2190508&mpage=1&key=�

www.jordanrudess.com/home/diary_entry.php

www.wintermadness.net/