Welcome to THTH, Forte’s premier source of all things heavy, hard, fast and metal.
Another year is upon us and with it comes a whole swag of new albums to get into. Whilst still early, confirmed releases for January include releases from Pain Of Salvation, Once Human, a Witchmaster/Voidhanger split album, Emmure, Boris The Blade, Kreator, and the Sepultura box set entitled The Roadrunner Albums 1985 – 1996.
In February we can expect releases from the likes of Overkill, Gene Hoglan, two Haken reissues, Judas Priest, Battle Beast, Immolation, Suicide Silence and Benighted. Whilst March will bring a new album from Pallbearer.
Unconfirmed releases for this year include a live Isis album that was recorded in Melbourne on February 25, 2010. There are also reports Immortal will head into the studio early this year (without Abbath) with producer Peter Tagtgren and Mastodon are currently working on an album that, reportedly, features lyrics that may literally or metaphorically deal with cancer. As usual, there are still no details about a new Tool album but after Nine Inch Nails released their album with only a week of warning late December last year, and Avenged Sevenfold’s surprise release last year, one can’t help but think the new Tool album will be released with little to no notice. Also, that’s the kinda thing Tool would do, too.
In other news
Unify 2017 will be held at Gippsland’s Tarwin Meadows from Friday January 13 to Sunday January 15 and feature King Parrot, Thy Art Is Murder, Ocean Sleeper and much more.
Deadspace and Daemon Pyre will be at the Tote on Friday January 13.
Ruins will play the Northcote Social Club on Saturday January 21.
Refused, Sick Of It All and High Tension will play Melbourne’s Prince Of Wales on Tuesday January 24.
Ausocalypse III will be held at Bendigo’s MusicMan Megastore on Saturday January 28 and will feature Pegazus, Dreadnaught, Alaraum and many more.
Soen will release their third album Lykaia on Friday February 3.
Periphery will be at Melbourne’s 170 Russell on Sunday February 5. Their new album Periphery III: Select Difficulty is out now.
Opeth with special guests Caligula’s Horse will play 170 Russell on Tuesday February 7 (sold out) and Wednesday February 8 (second and final show).
The Thrash, Blast and Grind Festival featuring Psycroptic, King Parrot, Whoretopsy, Black Rheno and Revocation will be held at Melbourne’s Max Watts on Friday February 17.
The Appice Brothers: Drum Wars full show will be held at Max Watts on Saturday February 18 and the drum clinic will be held at Melbourne’s Croxton Park Hotel the next day on Sunday February 19. Tickets through hardlinemedia.net
Nuclear Assault will head to Oz for their first and last time and you can catch them at Melbourne’s Max Watts on Wednesday February 22.
Meshuggah and Thy Art Is Murder will play 170 Russell on Tuesday March 14 (sold out) and Wednesday March 15.
The Direct Underground Fest featuring Marduk, Gorguts, MGLA, Ulcerate and Departe will be held at the Corner Hotel on Saturday March 18.
Devin Townsend Project will return to Oz and play Melbourne’s 170 Russell on Wednesday May 24.
If you have any news about local metal bands, shows or albums, let THTH know by emailing to [email protected] or get in touch via Twitter at @TooHeavyToHug
By Paul S Taylor
Photo by Linda Akerberg
