2010s Metal & Hard Rock Albums

Nucleus, released worldwide on 29 March 2019, gathers Anthem songs re-recorded with English lyrics throughout. It followed the band becoming the first Japanese act signed to the German label Nuclear Blast, and it is the record with which they began addressing an audience outside Japan.

Moonglow revisits Avantasia’s metal-opera scale with deeper shading, polished melodies and a stronger sense of story.

BABYMETAL’s third album expands its universe through worldwide musical colors, major guests and a broad light-and-dark design.

Sliver & Gold captures Backyard Babies’ streetwise rock and roll without sanding away its rough edges.

The album by BAND-MAIKO, the alter-ego project that swaps the maid conceit for a maiko one: seven songs layering Kyoto dialect and Japanese-instrument colour over the band’s usual hard rock.

A two-song single issued the same day as "glory", pairing the title track with "Smile".

A full-length that expands BAND-MAID’s expressive range, balancing wider melodies with hard-driving performances.

A two-song single issued the same day as "Bubble", pairing the title track with "hide-and-seek".

Battle Beast's fifth album, from March 2019, the second written around Janne Bjorkroth after Anton Kabanen's departure.

From Hell with Love turns Beast in Black's heavy-metal riffs, eighties synthesizers and science-fiction drama into overwhelmingly catchy songs.

An orchestral album billed to Blind Guardian Twilight Orchestra, released in November 2019: no electric guitars, and a sequel to a Markus Heitz novel.

The major-label debut on avex, made by a line-up that had just gained guitarist AYUMI and drummer NATSUMI.

The sixth album by Britain's Bring Me the Horizon, from January 2019: a long step away from metalcore into electronics and pop.

Warpaint puts Buckcherry’s blues-stained hard-rock weight and Josh Todd’s exposed vocal delivery at the front.

Face the Music gathers Burning Rain’s bluesy pull, classic hard-rock riff weight and melodic vocal focus into a balanced, mature statement.

Hexed places Children of Bodom’s slicing guitar work, high-speed keyboard exchanges and rough-edged vocals back at the front of the mix.

The second album with Ronnie Romero singing. Alongside further early Gotthard songs it carries two new ones, "Queen of Hearts" and "Don't Get Me Wrong", and a cover of John Lee Hooker's "Boom Boom". AFM Records released it worldwide on 27 September 2019.

Rust keeps Crashdïet’s glam and sleaze-metal flash intact while bringing more weight and wounded atmosphere into the picture.

Forever Wild openly embraces the spirit of eighties arena rock and rebuilds it with contemporary weight.

Humanicide shows Death Angel preserving the sharp identity of Bay Area thrash while making its arrangements and weight even more exacting.

Empath gathers the heaviness, pop instinct, ambience, extreme-metal intensity and humor of Devin Townsend’s work into one large emotional journey.

Diamond Head's eighth album, from May 2019, the second with Rasmus Bom Andersen singing.

DragonForce's eighth album, from September 2019: part of it was recorded live on Herman Li's Twitch stream, with Epica's Coen Janssen on keyboards.

Distance over Time returns Dream Theater to a tighter, more concentrated form of progressive metal after the expansive scale of its previous project.

Paradigm is Eclipse at its most sharply focused: a melodic hard-rock record built from thick riffs, urgent rhythms and choruses that arrive quickly and decisively.

Dynamind joins Sabine Edelsbacher’s clear, expressive voice to Lanvall’s symphonic writing with unusual precision.

Line of Fire builds around Harry Hess’s rich voice and pursues the ideal texture of melodic rock and AOR.

M.E.T.A.L. is Freedom Call’s wholehearted celebration of melodic power metal and the joy of listening to it.

Frozen Crown’s second album joins sharp, melodic-death-inflected riffing to the lift of European power metal.

Into the Purgatory is Galneryus’s twelfth studio album and a strong restatement of the band’s core after its fifteenth anniversary.

Life brings Hardline’s polished melodic-hard-rock craft into songs that carry both brightness and melancholy.

I, the Mask reconnects In Flames’ melodic-death-metal sharpness with the modern heavy-rock sensibility the band has developed over time.

Kill or Get Killed unites Iron Savior’s science-fiction imagery, steel-edged riffing and heroic choruses into a single forward drive.

Atonement brings together the elements Killswitch Engage do best—heavy riffs, urgent screams and clean vocals that reach for relief—in an especially emotional form.

The Nothing turns Korn’s long-developed sense of uneasy groove and emotional exposure into one of its heaviest sound worlds.

The twelfth L.A. Guns studio album and the second after the reunion, released by Frontiers Music in 2019. King Records' Metal Frontier imprint issued the Japanese edition on 13 March as KICP-1974 with a Japan-only bonus track.

Lacuna Coil's ninth album, released on 11 October 2019, built around an idea of black souls that grew from losing people close to the band.

After a long gap, Determinus brings Leverage back with the strength of Scandinavian melodic metal and the song-minded feeling of hard rock at the front.

The second Metalite album, their first for AFM Records and the first with Erica Ohlsson singing. Electronic texture and programmed rhythm move a step forward across its eleven songs, released on 25 October 2019. Marquee issued the Japanese edition on 20 November with "Riders of the Storm" added for twelve.

The first album for Silver Lining Music: twelve songs including "Last Train to Tokyo", released worldwide and in Japan on 18 October 2019.

Opeth's thirteenth album, from September 2019, issued on the same day in two versions, one sung in Swedish and one in English.

Overkill's nineteenth album, released in February 2019: the first with drummer Jason Bittner, and number five in Germany, their best chart placing there.

Behold Electric Guitar finds Paul Gilbert treating extraordinary technique as part of the music rather than the point of it.

A sixteenth studio album that turned out to be the last before Ronnie Atkins' illness was made public.

The Verdict condenses Queensrÿche’s hard-metal drive and progressive-rock shading into a notably focused set of songs.

Hollywood Cowboys brings Quiet Riot’s positive, hook-driven hard-rock instinct into a present-day band setting.

Rammstein's seventh album, from May 2019: their first in ten years, and certified diamond in Germany.

The band's third full live album — a late-November 2017 show in Aalborg, Denmark, captured without Raven knowing a tape was running.

The Eighth Mountain reconnects Rhapsody of Fire’s fantasy scale with racing power metal through a strongly narrative design.

Space Between is the first studio album by Sammy Hagar & The Circle, joining hard-rock drive and blues warmth to songs that take stock of life.

The first SINNER album with a permanent second voice, Giorgia Colleluori, alongside Mat Sinner. Ricky Warwick and Ronnie Romero guest on it, and Dennis Ward co-produced and mixed.

We Are Not Your Kind expands Slipknot’s anger and chaos through more detailed production and a deeply uneasy atmosphere.

Verkligheten spreads Soilwork’s melodic-death-metal attack and open hard-rock sense of melody across a double-album scale.

Talviyö finds Sonata Arctica exploring its present identity through melody, vocal expression and atmosphere rather than simply recreating early speed.

Heavy Metal Rules puts Steel Panther’s love of eighties glam metal, excessive humor and surprisingly solid musicianship directly out front.

Sunn O)))'s eighth album, from April 2019, recorded and mixed by Steve Albini entirely on analogue tape.

Shock keeps Tesla’s bluesy hard-rock framework while adding a more compact, contemporary push.

The Darkness's sixth album, released in October 2019: their first concept album, a parable of the slow death and glorious rebirth of rock and roll.

Renaissance Men is The Wildhearts’ studio return after a long gap, packing punk impulse, power-pop melody and heavy guitar into compact, high-density songs.

Tool's fifth studio album, released on 30 August 2019 after a thirteen-year wait; it topped the Billboard 200, and "7empest" won a Grammy.

The twelfth studio album, released by Mighty Music on 22 November 2019. Eleven songs running from "Worlds Apart" to "Sail On".

Flesh & Blood presents Whitesnake’s blues-rooted hard-rock language with a modern, tightly focused sound.

Resist takes Within Temptation’s dramatic foundation into a leaner, more electronic and pop-conscious sound world.

Blue Lightning has Yngwie Malmsteen facing the blues and classic-rock music at the roots of his style through a mix of covers and originals.

Victim of the New Disease shifts All That Remains back toward a heavier metalcore center after the broader reach of Madness.

Helix sharpens Amaranthe’s meeting point of modern metal, electronic rock and pop.

Queen of Time expands Amorphis’s blend of melodic death metal, progressive shape and Finnish shadow into its most cinematic scale to date.

Ømni gathers Angra’s fast metal, Brazilian rhythmic identity, classical harmony and progressive construction inside a science-fiction narrative.

At the Gates' sixth album, from May 2018: the first without co-founder Anders Björler, built on Peter Weiss's novel The Aesthetics of Resistance.

In Our Wake retains Atreyu’s sharp riffs and breakdowns while putting the force of the choruses in clear view.

Monster Hero delivers Axxis’ long-running melodic hard-rock pleasure with direct energy.

An early release that documents the origin of BAND-MAID’s maid concept and rock-band direction.

A two-song single: the title track, written as an anime theme, backed with "Screaming".

A decisive hard-rock statement whose title mirrors BAND-MAID’s ambition to reach audiences beyond Japan.

Despite its title, Grimmest Hits is not a compilation but Black Label Society’s tenth studio record, packed with the band’s heaviest strengths.

The second album for Ranka Kustannus. It did not appear on the official Finnish album chart until August 2021, when it entered at number 30.

Reach for the Sky turns Blindman’s live-bred unity as a newer lineup into a precise tenth studio album.

Breaking Benjamin's sixth album, from April 2018, produced by Benjamin Burnley himself.

Seven songs opening on an instrumental title track, made in the years when the band's reputation in Europe was hardening.

The sixth Bullet for My Valentine album, released worldwide by Spinefarm on 29 June 2018. It brings programming and keyboards well forward and is the first record made with Jason Bowld as a full member. The Japanese edition adds seven tracks — piano versions and a live recording among them — for eighteen.

The debut album by CoreLeoni, the band Gotthard guitarist Leo Leoni started in 2017. It re-records early Gotthard songs the parent band had stopped playing, with Rainbow's Ronnie Romero singing. The international edition arrived on 23 February 2018; Ward Records had put the Japanese edition out nine days earlier, on 14 February.

Origins moves Dark Moor away from the science-fiction focus of its predecessor toward Celtic lore and images of nature.

Dir En Grey's tenth album, released on 26 September 2018, recorded at Studio Sunshine.

Evolution keeps Disturbed’s hard-edged riffs and David Draiman’s commanding voice intact while giving more space to inward-looking, melodic material.

Firesign brings Dynazty’s neoclassical guitar work, speed and extremely catchy melody into a modern, high-impact production.

And Justice for None puts Five Finger Death Punch’s heavy groove and radio-sized choruses in especially direct form.

Atomic Generation joins FM’s polished British melodic-rock identity to a blues-tinted hard-rock feel with effortless confidence.

The Fallen King presents Frozen Crown’s speed, twin-guitar drive and fantasy atmosphere in vivid form from the start.

Ghost's fourth studio album, from June 2018, built on the Black Death and the Middle Ages; it entered the Billboard 200 at number three.

When Legends Rise builds on Sully Erna’s low, powerful voice and Godsmack’s heavy riffs while expanding the melodic range of the band’s seventh album.

Greta Van Fleet's debut album, released on 19 October 2018: ten songs written by all four members, produced by Marlon Young, Al Sutton and Herschel Boone and recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville and Rustbelt Studios in Michigan. It entered the Billboard 200 at No. 3. The Japanese edition (UICU-1298) adds the four songs of the Black Smoke Rising EP.

Groundbreaker is a melodic-rock project built around Steve Overland’s voice, with Robert Säll and Alessandro Del Vecchio among the key creative figures.

Gus G.'s third solo album, recorded as a trio with Dennis Ward on vocals, bass and keyboards and Will Hunt on drums, and produced by Ward and Gus G. together. It includes a cover of Mark Knopfler's "Money for Nothing". The Japanese edition (KICP-1908) runs to fifteen tracks, two of them recorded live in 2017.

An early six-track EP that captures teenage urgency, envy, time pressure, ghosts and a return to zero through raw metalcore and fresh melody.

You Can’t Kill My Rock ’n Roll makes Hardcore Superstar’s streetwise hard rock sound even tougher.

The sixth album and the last with Iuri Sanson — released weeks after the mass departure was announced, and so the closing chapter of the band's first era.

The sixteenth album, a trio record with Chad Smith and Glenn Hughes, released on 12 January 2018.

Firepower reignites the heavy-metal language Judas Priest established over decades with a muscular, contemporary sound.

The Shadow Theory combines Kamelot’s symphonic scale with modern guitar hardness around themes of fear and inner duality.

The sixth album, their first German top ten at number 7, and the year they were named Best German Band at the Metal Hammer Awards. Avalon issued the Japanese edition as MICP-11427 with one bonus track.

Fourteen gently draws on the warmth and touch of melancholy that Last Autumn’s Dream do so well in Scandinavian melodic rock.

Secret Treasures is a useful way to hear LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM from a different angle within the 2018 catalogue.

Rise to Glory -8118- is the twenty-seventh Loudness album, released simultaneously worldwide on 26 January 2018 — through Ward Records in Japan and earMUSIC in the US and Europe. It was their first American release since On the Prowl in 1991.

A four-song, 21-minute mini-album built on the idea of fighting the fate one is handed, including a pair of songs drawn from Rachmaninoff.

Clockwork Immortality expands the speed-metal and power-metal strengths Lovebites showed on their debut into a larger scale.

Catharsis gathers Machine Head’s anger, social gaze and personal feeling in its most expansive form.

Damned If You Do shows the stability of Metal Church in the Mike Howe reunion era through traditional heavy-metal form.

Ministry's fourteenth album, out on 9 March 2018, and one of the records their own biography names.

Second Coming connects Pretty Maids singer Ronnie Atkins’ powerful voice with Eclipse frontman Erik Mårtensson’s modern writing and production instincts.

Onmyo-za's twelfth album, from June 2018, the harder half of a pair released on the same day.

All Rise shows Perfect Plan’s deep love for eighties-style melodic rock with the weight of modern production.

The seventh album, produced by Jens Bogren and a German No. 1 — the turning point that produced “Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend.”

The eleventh Praying Mantis studio album. King Records released the Japanese edition on 9 May 2018, two days before Frontiers issued it elsewhere on the 11th; the Japanese CD adds an alternate mix of "The Last Summer" for twelve tracks.

Apocalypse pursues the pleasures of traditional power metal with complete commitment around Ralf Scheepers’ fierce high voice and Mat Sinner’s heavy bass.

Armor of Light finds Riot V making the Riot legacy of speed metal, twin guitars and melody even more secure after the loss of Mark Reale.

Cast in Stone gathers Royal Hunt’s symphonic keyboards, progressive movement and powerful choruses into a focused fourteenth album.

Saxon's twenty-second album, released on 2 February 2018. "They Played Rock and Roll" is for Motorhead; the album reached five in Germany.

Attention Attention shapes Shinedown’s heavy rock into a concept record about moving from self-destruction and isolation toward recovery.

Living the Dream deepens Slash’s bond with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators through open, riff-led hard rock.

Sleep's fourth album, released without warning on 20 April 2018, fifteen years after Dopesmoker.

Play to Win brings Striker’s speed-metal attack and eighties hard-rock chorus sense into one of the band’s most buoyant balances.

A studio album released in 2018.

The Road to Hell places Joe Lynn Turner’s convincing vocal at the center of Sunstorm’s move into heavier guitar territory.

Prisma adds a little shadow and modern texture to the bright melodic rock The Poodles do so well.

The second album by The Struts of Derby, from October 2018: 1970s glam rock made with today's production.

XIII introduces TNT with new vocalist Baol Bardot Bulsara and shows the outline of a fresh lineup around Ronni Le Tekrø’s distinctive guitar.

Tunguska turns the scale suggested by the 1908 Tunguska event into Treat’s own high-energy melodic hard rock.

The debut by Los Angeles's Twin Temple, from 2018: Satanism sung as 1950s doo-wop.

Steelfactory finds U.D.O. returning to direct, heavy metal with a strong sense of performing unity.

An EP put into national distribution on 28 March 2018. The band's own release list describes it as the EP where reading the score of "CADAVER" backwards gives you "REVADAC" — the two title tracks are one piece of music read in both directions. The third track is a live recording from 14 September 2017.

The second full album, in national distribution from 19 September 2018. Thirteen tracks: the two songs of the March EP CADAVER / REVADAC, plus re-recordings of the 2015 single "Wings" and of "Kyobo no Koibito" from the 2014 debut affected. Music videos were made for "Knight of Sword" and "Kizasi", the latter released in both a flat and a VR version.

Voivod's fourteenth studio album, a concept record from September 2018 that reached number 26 in Germany and won a Juno award.

Reidolized (The Soundtrack to the Crimson Idol) revisits the songs of W.A.S.P.'s classic The Crimson Idol with the current band and modern production.

Earthrage joins the identities of Jeff Scott Soto, Erik Mårtensson and Robert Säll in a heavier, more polished third W.E.T.

The Rise of Chaos delivers Accept’s steel-hard riffs and large choruses with present-day weight.

Unlimited Diffusion expands Aldious’ ornate twin guitars, speed and clear vocal character into a more colorful melodic-metal setting.

Madness retains All That Remains’ metalcore edge while reaching toward wider melody and a more modern-rock texture.

For the Demented centers Annihilator on thrash-metal sharpness while layering Jeff Waters’ intricate guitar work and uneasy melody around it.

Engraved is Anthem's sixteenth studio album, released on 21 June 2017. It is the second record made by the line-up that brought back Yukio Morikawa and added Isamu Tamaru, and it followed the thirtieth-anniversary tour that marked three decades since their 1985 debut.

Will to Power keeps Arch Enemy’s melodic-death-metal attack intact while widening the contrast between harsh force, vocal melody and arrangement.

Retrolution presents Axxis’ positive melodic hard rock in an especially colorful production.

A double A-side single pairing "Daydreaming" and "Choose me" with "Play"; both title songs received official music videos.

A key album that clarifies BAND-MAID’s hard-rock direction while connecting musicianship with catchy songwriting.

Berserker is Beast in Black’s explosive debut, fusing power-metal velocity, flashy synthesizer color and eighties-style pop melody in one sweep.

The third Bell Witch album, from October 2017: one eighty-three-minute song, in memory of their late drummer.

A four-track EP led by the advance single "IGNITE," cut during the band's touring years abroad.

Cradle of Filth's twelfth studio album, from September 2017, built on the Victorian fascination with death.

Ruff Justice tightens the flash of eighties glam and sleaze metal into a modern frame.

Infinite finds Deep Purple drawing on blues, hard rock and improvisational chemistry with both calmness and fire.

A five-track mini-album that compresses Fuki’s commanding vocals and the Gacharic Spin players’ virtuosity into a heavier, sharper modern loud-rock attack.

DragonForce's seventh album, from May 2017, and their longest studio record, closing its run with the eleven-minute "The Edge of the World".

Six delivers the pleasures of traditional heavy metal in a direct burst of thick riffs and large choruses.

Monumentum packs Eclipse’s modern hard-rock precision and melodic-rock-sized hooks into a very concentrated form.

The Great Momentum layers Edenbridge’s symphonic grandeur over the forward force of firm guitar riffs.

Walk the Earth crystallizes the mix Europe have developed since their reunion: the weight of seventies hard rock and a distinctly Scandinavian sense of melody.

Synthesis reimagines Evanescence’s earlier songs through orchestra and electronic texture, while also adding new material.

Immortals shapes mythic storytelling into Firewind’s fast power metal and dramatic melody.

Ultimate Sacrifice concentrates Galneryus’ fast guitar, flowing keyboards and expansive vocals into high-tension power metal in which drama and melody, not technicality, stay at the centre.

Silver carries Gotthard’s warm melody, blues-tinted guitar and approachable hard-rock instinct with calm confidence.

Great White's thirteenth studio album, released on 2 June 2017, reunited the band with Michael Wagener, producer of its first EP and debut album.

Greta Van Fleet's eight-song double EP of 10 November 2017: the four songs of that April's debut EP, Black Smoke Rising, joined by four new recordings, namely the originals "Edge of Darkness" and "Talk on the Street" and covers of Sam Cooke and Fairport Convention. It won Best Rock Album at the 61st Grammy Awards, and its first Japanese edition, an SHM-CD, came out in August 2024.

Into the Great Unknown expands H.E.A.T’s big-chorus melodic rock through a broader soundstage and modern production detail.

United by HAREM SCAREM: track list, Spotify player, music videos and English liner notes on METAL BOOST.

Reforged – Riding on Fire revisits familiar material through the voice, production weight and arrangement sense of its recording period.

Retribution places Jeff Scott Soto’s soulful vocal power in a heavier, more modern rock setting.

Kreator's fourteenth album, from January 2017, and the first to enter the German chart at number one in thirty-two years.

The eleventh L.A. Guns studio album, and the first Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns made together again. King Records' Metal Frontier imprint issued the Japanese edition on 4 October 2017 as KICP-1858 with a Japan-only bonus track; that same month the band returned to Japan for Loud Park 17.

Architecture of a God weaves progressive development and classically colored guitar into Labyrinth’s power-metal drive.

One More Light shifts Linkin Park away from guitar-heavy aggression toward electronic pop and R&B-leaning rhythm.

Awakening from Abyss introduces Lovebites with a remarkably complete union of speed, precise twin guitars, soaring vocals and large melodic payoff.

The 2017 debut mini-album, cut with a Finnish engineering team and pressed as a strictly limited 3,000-copy run.

Wall of Sound places Marty Friedman’s individual melodic sense and emotion-speaking guitar tone at the front of an instrumental record.

PumpKings revisits familiar material through the voice, production weight and arrangement sense of its recording period.

The seventh studio album, built around themes of illness and time. Its opening track "Sultan's Curse" won Best Metal Performance at the 60th Grammy Awards, and the album was nominated for Best Rock Album.

The debut album, released by Inner Wound Recordings on 27 October 2017. These are the first eleven songs of the band guitarist Edwin Premberg and vocalist Emma Bensing started, with Jacob Hansen producing. Rubicon Music released the Japanese edition on 20 December with a piano version added for twelve.

Defying Gravity brings Mr. Big’s virtuosity and singable melody together with striking ease.

Feed the Machine pushes Nickelback’s thicker guitars and heavier rhythms to the front, showing a more aggressive side of the band.

Don't Let Up presents Night Ranger’s melodic hard-rock character with freshness rather than nostalgia.

Phoenix refines Nocturnal Rites’ Scandinavian melodic-metal strengths through hard riffs, clear vocal lines and thick, uplifting choruses.

Outrage's twelfth album, out on 11 October 2017 and mixed by Peter Tagtgren of Pain and Hypocrisy. It came in the band's thirtieth anniversary year.

Overkill's eighteenth album, released in February 2017: the first mixed by Andy Sneap, with a cover painted by Travis Smith.

The third album by Arkansas's Pallbearer, from March 2017, bringing progressive rock structure into doom.

Paradise Lost's fifteenth album, released by Nuclear Blast on 1 September 2017: slower and heavier with doom than anything before it, as Gregor Mackintosh promised.

Headstrong naturally joins Pink Cream 69’s polished melodic-hard-rock side with a more weighty guitar push.

Pride of Lions' fifth studio album, from 2017. Marquee issued the Japanese edition on 25 January 2017 as MICP-11331 — the first of the band's records to be released in Japan by Marquee rather than King Records.

Queens of the Stone Age's seventh album, from August 2017: produced by Mark Ronson and number one in Britain.

Road Rage puts Quiet Riot’s familiar strengths in the foreground: direct riffs, bouncing beats and choruses built to be sung back.

Seasons of the Black places Rage’s power-metal speed and thrash sharpness inside a darker tonal world.

Light in the Dark beautifully links Revolution Saints’ AOR smoothness with a firm hard-rock core.

Sepultura's fourteenth studio album, from January 2017, produced by Jens Bogren and built on the robotisation of society.

Produced by Mat Sinner with Dennis Ward, and carrying guest appearances from Gus G, Ricky Warwick and Pete Lincoln.

Lower the Bar sees Steel Panther recreating the language of eighties glam metal through exaggeration and humor.

Hydrograd mixes punk urgency, big hard-rock riffs and metal weight into songs that are rough-edged but immediately catchy.

The self-titled Striker record joins the band’s speed-metal sharpness with approachable hard-rock hooks in a very concentrated form.

Nightbringers packs The Black Dahlia Murder’s melodic-death-metal velocity and horror-like unease into a very dense form.

The Darkness's fifth album, released in October 2017: the first on which Rufus Tiger Taylor, son of Queen's Roger Taylor, drums throughout.

The Haunted's ninth album, released on 25 August 2017: ten tracks running 38:00.

Tokyo Motor Fist is a debut that joins the bright instincts of melodic rock with a slightly rougher hard-rock push.

The Sin and the Sentence integrates Trivium’s thrash sharpness, metalcore aggression and melodic chorus work at a high level of tension.

UFO's first covers album, released by Cleopatra Records on 29 September 2017, honours twelve favourites from the Yardbirds and the Doors to ZZ Top.

Louder Harder Faster brings Warrant’s instinct for catchy hard rock into a thicker guitar sound and a more forceful rhythmic frame.

Maximalism lets Amaranthe stack multiple vocal styles, electronic texture, hard guitar riffs and immediate melody without restraint.

Amon Amarth's tenth album, from March 2016: their first concept record, and certified gold in Germany.

In Sequence combines Amoral’s complex structures, heavy guitar work and melodic vocals in a record that resists simple genre labels.

For All Kings keeps Anthrax’s agile thrash attack while giving equal space to heavy groove, chorus lift and modern weight.

Ghostlights gathers guest vocalists, symphonic color, hard-rock accessibility and power-metal velocity into one broad narrative.

The Stage turns themes of space, science and existence into complex, dramatic heavy metal.

BABYMETAL’s second album turns global momentum into power metal, metalcore and progressive scale, confirming the group’s strength.

A release that pushes BAND-MAID’s rock-band strength forward and builds the foundation for the breakthroughs that followed.

Four tracks — the title song, "Unfair game", "matchless GUM" and an instrumental — released ahead of the album Just Bring It.

The debut album, produced by Jonas Olsson. It closes with "Don't", a cover of the Ed Sheeran song.

To the Light shapes Blindman’s lyrical melody, expansive vocals and precise guitar work into traditional hard rock with care.

This House Is Not for Sale turns Bon Jovi’s sense of band unity and purpose into direct rock songs.

The first full album, four years in — and the source of four of the six songs re-cut for 2025's Reborn 2013-2016.

The second ColdWorld album, from July 2016, eight years after the first: one man's atmospheric black metal from Germany.

Urban Night naturally joins Cyntia’s urban pop instinct to the sharp guitar edge of heavy metal.

Atoma joins Dark Tranquillity’s cutting melodic-death-metal harmonies to an atmosphere of cold, beautiful keyboards.

The Evil Divide brings together Death Angel’s lively speed and twisting guitar work in a tightly focused record.

Transcendence lets Devin Townsend move freely between massive guitar sound, layered choirs and quieter emotional expression.

Forward in Reverse is Dizzy Mizz Lizzy’s studio return after a long gap, joining intricate guitar phrases, heavy riffs and melodic instinct at high density.

The Astonishing by DREAM THEATER: track list, Spotify player, music videos and English liner notes on METAL BOOST.

Titanic Mass places Dynazty’s large melodies and strong vocal delivery inside a heavier, more modern metal sound.

The Holographic Principle joins orchestral-style arrangements, choirs and heavy guitar riffs inside large-scale compositions.

Pimp Your Past rebuilds key material from Fair Warning’s first three albums in the band’s 2016 sound.

Theories of Flight raises Fates Warning’s progressive-metal tension through complex rhythm, fluid guitar and introspective vocals.

One Step Over the Line builds classic melodic rock around a vocal performance that is both powerful and warm.

Master of Light lets Freedom Call’s bright melody, speed and positive singalongs ring out with particular openness.

Magma keeps Gojira’s massive riffs and unusual rhythmic identity while moving into quieter, more inward-looking territory.

Human Nature builds dramatic melodic hard rock around powerful vocals and thick guitar.

The first album for Nuclear Blast, and the one that produced several official music and lyric videos, beginning with "A.D.".

Beautiful Broken revisits parts of Heart’s catalogue through a present-day lens, pairing reworked material with a small number of new songs.

The sixth solo album by Emperor's Ihsahn, from April 2016, built around the Arctic.

Battles connects In Flames’ metallic guitar push with more open vocal melody and a carefully modern sound.

Titancraft delivers Iron Savior’s science-fiction world and thick-riffed German power metal with complete confidence.

Incarnate gathers Killswitch Engage’s sharp metalcore riffs, breakdowns and melodic choruses into a concentrated form.

The fifth album, number 14 in Germany and 59 in Switzerland. King Records put the Japanese edition out on its Seven Seas line as KICP-1787 a month ahead of the international release, with the bonus track "All Are Equal".

The Serenity of Suffering brings Korn’s low, sinking guitars, uneasy bouncing rhythm and pain-filled vocals to the front.

Lacuna Coil's eighth album, released on 27 May 2016: their first self-production, set in an imagined asylum and deliberately heavier than before.

In Disguise is a covers record in which Last Autumn’s Dream recast songs from different eras through their own melodic-rock touch.

Dystopia concentrates Megadeth’s sharp riffs, crooked structures and cold, pressurized atmosphere into a tightly focused record.

XI restates the sturdy appeal of traditional American heavy metal through hard riffs, heavy rhythm and commanding vocal lines.

Hardwired. to Self-Destruct places Metallica’s quick, explosive thrash instinct beside longer pieces that patiently accumulate weight.

Myrath's fourth album, from February 2016, named with the English translation of the band's own name.

War Brigade puts Mystic Prophecy’s thick guitar riffs and forceful beat at the front of a combative power-metal record.

Nordic Union’s debut condenses Scandinavian melodic rock’s clear keyboards, firm guitars and expansive vocals into exceptionally direct songs.

Opeth's twelfth album, from September 2016, and the first they released through Nuclear Blast and their own Moderbolaget imprint.

I Can Destroy puts Paul Gilbert’s extraordinary guitar ability in service of the pleasure of the songs.

The fifteenth album, and the first with Chris Laney on keyboards and guitars.

Rulebreaker assembles Primal Fear’s hard-edged riffs, piercing high vocals and heavy rhythm with great precision.

The Devil Strikes Again reunites Rage’s speed-metal sharpness, heavy riff pressure and technical development in one aggressive flow.

InVader by RECKLESS LOVE: track list, Spotify player, music videos and English liner notes on METAL BOOST.

Into the Legend unites Rhapsody of Fire’s fantasy storytelling, orchestral grandeur and racing power metal.

Sabaton's eighth album, from August 2016, a concept record built on last stands from history.

The Ninth Hour presents Sonata Arctica’s lyrical melody and storytelling in more measured structures.

The ninth album: thirteen tracks built from sketches written just after Flex-Able and finished thirty years later.

Stand in the Fire brings together Striker’s speed-metal guitar attack, energetic beat and memorable choruses.

Edge of Tomorrow carefully links Sunstorm’s smooth AOR feel to melodic metal with firm guitar weight.

Brotherhood of the Snake sharpens Testament’s Bay Area thrash force through modern density and precise execution.

Hidden City gathers the Cult’s mystical atmosphere and hard-rock force into a dense, heavy sound.

Ghost of Graceland delivers Treat’s colorful melodic hard rock through mature playing and a full sound.

The second album by Sweden's Twilight Force, from August 2016 and their first for Nuclear Blast.

The eleventh studio album, self-titled, issued by Mighty Music on 21 October 2016 as PMZ 200. Eleven songs, opening with the advance track "Only the Brave".

An original EP first sold at Comic Market 91 on 29 December 2016 and put into national distribution through Canned music on 18 January 2017. Three tracks. The title song got one of the band's earliest official music videos and has been a fixture of their live set ever since.

Tabula Rasa uses clear keyboards, smooth vocals and lyrical guitar to draw out the best qualities of Scandinavian AOR and melodic rock.

World on Fire commits fully to the neoclassical-metal language Yngwie Malmsteen has made his own.

Radiant A turns Aldious’s speed, vivid twin-guitar work and soaring vocal melody into a stronger sense of forward motion.

The Order of Things balances All That Remains’ heavy riff pressure with clean-vocal melodies that stay in the ear.

Under the Red Cloud gathers Amorphis’s heavy riffs, Nordic melody and folk-like color into dense melodic metal.

Suicide Society pushes Annihilator’s sharp thrash picking and memorable songcraft at the same time.

Shadowmaker binds Apocalyptica’s signature cello sound tightly to heavy-rock riffs and dark vocals.

Captivity & Devourment frames Armageddon’s melodic-death urgency with sharp riffs and fluent guitar melody.

Long Live brings Atreyu’s heavy riffs, cutting shouts and expansive clean vocals together with direct momentum.

Four by Four compresses Backyard Babies’ punk roughness, sleazy rock ’n’ roll and memorable choruses into one burst of energy.

An early album that turns the attention around “Thrill” into a stronger and more defined rock direction.

Baroness's fourth album, from December 2015 and the first they made after the 2012 bus crash.

Blind Guardian's tenth album, from January 2015, made with three choirs and two orchestras.

Burning Bridges retains Bon Jovi’s broad melodies and rock foundation while revealing a more settled shade than pure spectacle.

Rock ’n’ Roll lays out Buckcherry’s blunt guitar riffs, dry groove and provocative vocals with little unnecessary decoration.

The fifth Bullet for My Valentine album, released by RCA on 14 August 2015 and produced again by Colin Richardson, who had made The Poison and Scream Aim Fire. Jamie Mathias had replaced Jason 'Jay' James on bass. The Japanese edition followed on 19 August with seven bonus tracks, for eighteen.

Stormcrow combines Cain’s Offering’s clear vocals, shining keyboards and guitar lines that sing alongside the melody.

The sixth album by San Diego's Cattle Decapitation, from August 2015, about what humanity has done to the environment.

I Worship Chaos preserves Children of Bodom’s fast riffs, neoclassical keyboard flair and sharp vocals while presenting a darker, tighter character.

Cradle of Filth's eleventh studio album, from July 2015: their first for Nuclear Blast and the first outing for a new line-up.

Woman gathers Cyntia’s bright, extended vocals, technical guitar work and sparkling keyboards into accessible melody.

Project X uses Dark Moor’s symphonic keyboards, classical-leaning melody and refined vocals to create power metal rich in narrative feeling.

Deafheaven's third album, released by Anti- in October 2015: five songs, all recorded live.

The self-titled Def Leppard revisits the band’s stacked harmonies, polished guitar sound and buoyant rhythm with a contemporary feel.

Immortalized puts Disturbed’s weighty riffs, stamping rhythms and large emotional vocal turns at the center of a powerful return.

Armageddonize binds Eclipse’s sharp hard-rock guitar attack to choruses built for repeated singing at unusually high density.

War of Kings puts Europe’s thick classic-hard-rock riffs, bluesy guitar voice and commanding vocals in the foreground.

Faith No More's seventh album, from May 2015 and their first in the eighteen years since Album of the Year.

Fear Factory's ninth studio album, from August 2015, and the one where Mike Heller played live drums on several songs.

Got Your Six unites Five Finger Death Punch’s low, thick riffs, stomping beats and choruses made to be shouted with a crowd.

Heroes and Villains builds FM’s British melodic rock around warm vocals, smooth guitar and polished chorus work.

Under the Force of Courage builds Galneryus’s fast twin guitars, precise rhythm section and soaring high vocals into a large-scale drama that keeps its lift even across its longer songs.

Ghost's third album, from August 2015; "Cirice" from it won the 2016 Grammy for best metal performance.

Gus G.'s second solo album. He wrote every song himself, and the singers include Elize Ryd, Mats Levén and Jeff Scott Soto. King Records issued the Japanese edition on 22 July 2015 with a thirteenth track: a version of "What Lies Below" sung by Heather St. Marie.

HCSS mixes Hardcore Superstar’s sleazy rock ’n’ roll attitude with contemporary heaviness.

My God-Given Right fills Helloween’s power metal with racing riffs, bright melody and a touch of playful humor.

A self-titled fifth album that cuts its song titles down to single words and strips the arrangements to match.

The Book of Souls pours Iron Maiden’s heavy riffs, three-guitar melody and dramatic vocals into large, narrative-like structures.

The fifteenth album, built around a stage alter ego called Shockwave Supernova. Released 24 July 2015.

Haven connects Kamelot’s dark symphonic-metal atmosphere, detailed guitar work, melancholy melody and dramatic vocal expression.

VII: Sturm und Drang uses Lamb of God’s low-slung groove, cutting riffs and raw vocal edge to create sustained tension.

Paintings uses Last Autumn’s Dream’s warm vocals, smooth keyboards and lyrical guitar to draw the comfort of Scandinavian melodic rock.

The first album with Rich Jones in the band, produced by Chips Kiesbye: thirteen songs released by Spinefarm on 9 October 2015.

Released on 28 August 2015 and a UK No. 10, Bad Magic is what the band themselves call "the 23rd (and final) studio album". Warner Music Japan issued the Japanese pressing the same day as WPCR-16754.

Endless Forms Most Beautiful overlays Nightwish’s symphonic-metal grandeur with a gaze toward nature, life and science.

A special album of 7 October 2015, built as two sides: covers of seven Japanese rock forebears, and five newly written songs.

The sixth Panopticon album, from October 2015: one man's black metal with Appalachian folk laid into it.

Paradise Lost's fourteenth album, released by Century Media on 1 June 2015: dark yet melodic, with what Nick Holmes called the death metal edge of their earliest days.

The sixth album, home to “Army Of The Night” and “Armata Strigoi” — blessing and possession set against each other in the most direct terms yet.

The tenth Praying Mantis studio album, released by Frontiers on 21 August 2015 — the first with Jaycee Cuijpers singing and Hans in 't Zandt on drums. King Records issued the Japanese edition on 26 August with one extra track.

Condition Hüman brings Queensrÿche’s progressive-metal tension forward through heavy riffs, alert rhythms and shadowed melodies.

The thirteenth album, paid for in part by a Kickstarter campaign that took over $27,000, and rolled out across territories through SPV/Steamhammer in April 2015.

A covers album made as a reward for the Kickstarter backers who helped fund ExtermiNation; the band's own site files it as a bonus release rather than a studio album.

The self-titled Revolution Saints debut condenses the pleasure of classic melodic rock around powerful vocals, bright keyboards and rising guitar lines.

Devil’s Dozen layers Royal Hunt’s grand keyboards, hard guitar riffs and dramatic vocals to explore a classical-metal world in depth.

Saxon's twenty-first album, released on 16 October 2015. It reached three on the UK Rock & Metal chart.

Return to Forever brings Scorpions’ sharp guitar riffs, expansive vocals and memorable ballad sense together with the natural breathing of a veteran band.

Threat to Survival combines Shinedown’s thick guitar riffs, electronic texture and emotionally forceful vocals into modern hard rock.

Repentless puts Slayer’s merciless riffing, raw vocals and cutting lead guitar at the front of a stripped-down thrash assault.

The Ride Majestic moves freely between Soilwork’s heavy riffs and harsh vocals, and the lyricism of clean singing and spacious arrangement.

Eternal presents Stratovarius’s power-metal tradition through charging beats, shining keyboards, soaring vocals and thick choruses.

A studio album released in 2015.

Underworld connects Symphony X’s progressive-metal rhythm complexity and traditional heavy-metal weight to dramatic vocal melody.

Abysmal packs The Black Dahlia Murder’s vicious speed, sharp blasting and vivid guitar melody into an extreme-metal rush.

The Darkness's fourth album, from May 2015: produced by Dan Hawkins at his own studio, and opening with "Barbarian", a tale of a Viking invasion.

Devil in the Details uses catchy choruses, polished vocals and tidy guitar arrangement to deliver refined melodic rock from The Poodles.

Cult layers To/Die/For’s dark gothic-metal atmosphere, lyrical guitar and melancholy vocals.

Toto XIV uses Toto’s refined ensemble work, rich chord sense and dependable melody to portray mature rock and AOR at their best.

Silence in the Snow places Trivium’s sharp heavy-metal riffs beside strong, fully sung clean vocals.

Human Era delivers Trixter’s bright guitar, sunny choruses and positive rock ’n’ roll spirit directly.

Decadent drives U.D.O.’s traditional heavy metal through hard guitar riffs, steel-like vocals and direct rhythm.

UFO's 2015 album, produced by Chris Tsangarides in Kent and first out in Japan and Scandinavia on 18 February, was the first with bassist Rob De Luca.

The second original full album, first sold at M3-2015 Spring on 26 April 2015 and put into national distribution by Disk Union on 13 May. Its songs are titled in German and French and its subject is the vampire. The CD holds six tracks, the streaming release five.

The band's first original single, sold at Comic Market 88 on 14 August 2015. Five tracks: the song itself and four versions of it with the vocal, the guitar, the bass and the drums taken out in turn. Disk Union put it into national distribution on 31 March 2018.

Golgotha layers W.A.S.P.’s heavy guitar riffs, dramatic vocals and dark storytelling into theatrical heavy metal.

The Purple Album reinterprets material from the Deep Purple era through Whitesnake’s current heavy guitar sound and mature vocals.

Rock or Bust presents AC/DC’s rock ’n’ roll design in a newly tightened form: thick rhythm guitar, stripped-back beats and choruses built to stay in the listener’s head.

Blind Rage sharpens Accept’s hard-chopped riffs, precise forward rhythm and shouted vocal attack.

Dazed and Delight combines Aldious’s fluent twin guitars, clear melody and fast-moving rhythm.

The Great Divide centers on two distinctive vocal personalities, supported by grand keyboards, thick guitars and the drama of melodic metal.

Massive Addictive sends Amaranthe’s multiple vocal voices, electronic textures and heavy guitars racing across one another.

Fallen Leaves & Dead Sparrows crosses Amoral’s heavy guitar weight with delicate, introspective melody.

Secret Garden joins Angra’s progressive construction, Brazilian rhythmic sense and classically shaped melody.

Absolute World is Anthem's fifteenth studio album, released on 22 October 2014. It is the first record by the line-up that brought Yukio Morikawa back to the microphone for the first time since 1992 and made Isamu Tamaru a full member.

War Eternal restarts Arch Enemy with sharp melodic-death-metal riffing and an overwhelming vocal roar.

Gravitas frames Asia’s grand melodic sense and polished progressive-rock construction with a calm, mature center of gravity.

At the Gates' fifth album and first in 19 years, released in October 2014: built on Latin American magic realism, it reached number three in Sweden.

Kingdom of the Night II returns Axxis to one of its defining worlds while writing a new chapter through present-day performances and production.

The debut album that collided idol pop with extreme metal language and introduced kawaii metal as a worldwide surprise.

An independent-era single on Gump Records, released before the major-label debut: the title song with "スリル" and "Summer Drive".

Behemoth's tenth album, from February 2014, written after Nergal's recovery from leukaemia.

Catacombs of the Black Vatican combines Black Label Society’s heavyweight riffs with a blues-born sense of melody, creating a record with deep shadows.

The debut album by Sweden's Blues Pills, out on Nuclear Blast in July 2014: the late 1960s, recorded now.

The self-titled Crazy Lixx gathers riffs, synth color and cinematic atmosphere that recall eighties American hard rock.

Limit Break combines Cyntia’s sparkling keyboards, soaring vocals and sharp twin guitars into melodic metal with real speed.

The third album by Milan's Destrage, released by Metal Blade Records in March 2014 and the record they are remembered for.

Z² unfolds Devin Townsend’s enormous sound density, pop melody, eccentric humor and deep emotion as two contrasting sides of one project.

Dir En Grey's ninth album, released on 10 December 2014: sixteen tracks running 68:01.

Down's second six-song EP in the Down IV series, from May 2014, and the only record they made with Bobby Landgraf on guitar in place of Kirk Windstein.

DragonForce's sixth album, from August 2014: the first made with an outside producer, Jens Bogren, away from the band's own studio.

Renatus keeps Dynazty’s melodic hard-rock foundation but moves decisively toward sharper riffs and power-metal momentum.

Space Police: Defenders of the Crown mixes Edguy’s oversized melodies, hard-rock swing and playful humor.

The Quantum Enigma joins Epica’s orchestral scale, heavy guitar riffs and dramatic vocals with meticulous control.

Blood In, Blood Out puts Exodus’s angular riffs and merciless rhythm attack at the front, unleashing the aggression of thrash metal.

Beyond fills Freedom Call’s world with light-catching melodies, fast rhythms and choruses made for collective singing.

Vetelgyus mobilizes Galneryus’s virtuosic guitar and keyboards, soaring high vocals and precise rhythm work.

Empire of the Undead delivers Gamma Ray’s power metal with fast riffs, clear melodies and a cosmic sense of scale.

1000hp condenses Godsmack’s thick guitar riffs, heavy groove and rough-edged vocals into something simple and forceful.

Bang! gathers Gotthard’s thick guitar riffs, open-throated vocals and blues-warmed hard rock.

Gus G.'s first solo album. He wrote all of it and brought in different guests song by song: singers including Mats Levén, Jeff Scott Soto, Michael Starr and Tom S. Englund, and players such as Billy Sheehan and David Ellefson. The Japanese edition (KICP-1683) adds the instrumental "Without You" for thirteen tracks.

Tearing Down the Walls packs H.E.A.T.’s catchy choruses, urgent vocals and focused guitar riffs into a high-density record.

The second album by Austria's Harakiri for the Sky, from April 2014, named after the Aokigahara forest.

Thirteen gathers Harem Scarem’s refined melodies, detailed choruses and hard-edged guitar riffs with impressive control.

Siren Charms retains pieces of In Flames’ melodic-death aggression while emphasizing a cool, restrained atmosphere and modern tones.

Rise of the Hero is power metal built from hard-edged riffs, mechanical momentum and large, heroic choruses.

Redeemer of Souls brings Judas Priest’s classic heavy-metal language into the present with authority.

The fourth album, up to number 17 in Germany, and the one on which the advance single "DNA" widened the band's audience. King Records issued the Japanese edition on its Metal Frontier line as KICP-1706, with two bonus tracks.

Lacuna Coil's seventh studio album, recorded in Milan with producer Jay Baumgardner and released in March 2014, reached number 13 in Italy.

Level Eleven carefully builds the clarity, melancholy and flowing choruses associated with Scandinavian melodic rock.

The Hunting Party puts Linkin Park’s guitar-led aggression, fast beats and urgent vocals at the front.

The Sun Will Rise Again is the twenty-sixth Loudness album, released through Universal Music Japan on 4 June 2014 — the first studio record made after the band set up its own label in 2013. A remixed US edition followed in 2015.

Bloodstone & Diamonds connects Machine Head’s overwhelming weight with an expansive sense of long-form construction.

Inferno crosses Marty Friedman’s cutting guitar phrases, metal aggression and Eastern-flavored melodic instinct.

The sixth studio album, and the band's highest US placing at number 6 on the Billboard 200. "High Road" was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 57th Grammy Awards.

...The Stories We Could Tell lets Mr. Big show its technical ability while keeping songcraft and accessibility at the center.

No Fixed Address builds on Nickelback’s thick rock-guitar base while reaching toward pop, dance and ballad-like elements.

High Road refines Night Ranger’s strengths: interlocking twin guitars, clear vocals and wide-open choruses.

Opeth's eleventh album, from August 2014, and the first with the keyboard player Joakim Svalberg.

Overkill's seventeenth album, released in July 2014 with the Japanese edition first: number 31 on the Billboard 200, the highest placing of their career.

Stone Pushing Uphill Man is a covers album on which PAUL GILBERT recasts other artists' songs in his own timing, singing and guitar sound.

Five new songs alongside seven re-recordings of material from 1999-2006 — the overlooked years, restated in the band's present sound.

Delivering the Black unites Primal Fear’s cutting twin guitars, forceful high vocals and heavy rhythm section.

Unleash the Fire carries Riot’s history forward with renewed energy and a full commitment to traditional metal.

The debut by the English duo Royal Blood, from August 2014: bass and drums only, and number one in Britain.

Rubicon Cross is a debut built from strong vocals, thick guitars and the accessibility of melodic rock.

Sabaton's seventh album, from May 2014, written one individual at a time rather than one battle at a time.

World on Fire expands Slash’s thick riffs, bluesy lead work and muscular rock ’n’ roll on a broad canvas.

.5: The Gray Chapter carves anger and loss into Slipknot’s heavy riffs, explosive rhythms and urgent melodies.

Ecliptica Revisited: 15th Anniversary Edition is SONATA ARCTICA's full re-recording of its debut Ecliptica with the current band and modern production.

Pariah’s Child brings Sonata Arctica’s fast rhythms, keyboard color and bittersweet melodies to the front.

All You Can Eat loads up on the oversized choruses, fast guitar work and mischievous spirit of eighties glam metal.

City of Gold fires off Striker’s sharp riffs, energetic drumming and fist-raising choruses in rapid succession.

Simplicity brings Tesla’s blues-leaning guitar, warm ensemble playing and human-scale melodies to the front.

The Haunted's eighth album, released on 25 August 2014, fourteen tracks running 44:08.

Triptykon's second album, from April 2014, and the last album cover H. R. Giger ever made.

Light of Dawn carefully joins Unisonic’s rich vocal melodies to hard-edged guitar work.

The first original full album, sold at Comic Market 86 on 16 August 2014 and put into national distribution by Disk Union on 22 October. After six years of Touhou Project arrangement records it was the first Unlucky Morpheus album made entirely of their own songs. Seven tracks.

Better Days Comin' places detailed rhythmic shifts and layered arrangements inside Winger’s catchy hard-rock framework.

Hydra places Within Temptation’s large symphonic-rock framework around varied voices and contrasting textures.

District Zero joins Aldious’s fluent twin guitars, bright melodies and headlong rhythm in a particularly focused form.

The Nexus sends clean vocals, harsh vocals, electronic texture and heavy guitars across one another at high speed.

Circle naturally weaves together heavy riffs, Nordic shadow, folk-shaped melody and progressive movement.

Feast is built around Annihilator’s cutting riffs, tense rhythm work and technical guitar playing.

The Mystery of Time uses multiple vocalists, thick choirs and symphonic arrangement to tell a large-scale rock-opera story.

Hail to the King puts thick riffs, slow and heavy-footed beats, and arena-sized traditional-metal choruses at the front.

Battle Beast's second album, from May 2013 and the first with Noora Louhimo singing.

13 returns Black Sabbath to low, rolling guitar riffs, sticky rhythm and an apocalyptic atmosphere.

EVERGREEN re-records Blindman's key songs from its early years through the early 2000s with the then-current lineup, bringing out the band's melodic core.

What About Now frames Bon Jovi’s large choruses, polished guitar work and open melodies as contemporary arena rock.

Life, Love & Hope uses layered choruses, clear guitar color and wide-opening melodies to revisit the best qualities of Boston’s long-developed sound.

The first mini album, out the year after the band formed; "Pray" and "Wing Of Hope" were still worth re-cutting twelve years later.

Confessions is built from Buckcherry’s rough guitar tone, direct beats and emotionally exposed vocals.

The fourth Bullet for My Valentine album. Sony Music released the Japanese edition first, on 6 February 2013, with fifteen tracks; Europe followed on 8 February and North America on 12 February with eleven. Don Gilmore produced again.

Epic Obsession joins thick guitar riffs, bluesy lead work and powerful vocals to deliver classic melodic hard rock with real heat.

Carcass's sixth album, from September 2013: their first in seventeen years, recorded as a trio.

Cathedral's tenth and final studio album, from April 2013: made after announcing their split, and back in the heavy, slow doom of their debut.

Halo of Blood puts Children of Bodom’s slicing riffs, high-speed keyboard exchanges and rough vocals in the foreground.

The Savage Playground layers the glamour of eighties-style glam metal with a rougher street edge and a darker mood.

Lady Made combines sparkling keyboards, fluent twin guitars and soaring vocals to put melodic metal’s brightness in full view.

Ars Musica builds a fantasy-metal world through classically shaped melody, symphonic keyboards and elegant guitar work.

Construct uses cool keyboard texture, detailed riffs and restrained melody to create melodic death metal that turns inward.

The Dream Calls for Blood gathers Death Angel’s tight-chopped riffs, rough vocal attack and tense rhythm work into a fierce thrash-metal statement.

Now What?! lets Deep Purple’s organ-and-guitar exchanges, thick bass and flexible drumming carry a mature version of the band’s long-standing identity.

The self-titled Dream Theater joins complex rhythm, precise ensemble playing and dramatic melody inside a heavy sound world.

The Bonding combines weighty orchestration, transparent vocals and lyrical guitar to create grand symphonic metal.

Sundancer uses soaring vocals, delicate guitar phrases and naturally opening choruses to paint high-quality melodic rock.

Darkness in a Different Light builds complex rhythm, hard-edged guitar and introspective vocal melody inside a quiet field of tension.

The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1 opens Five Finger Death Punch's two-part set with heavy riffs and huge choruses.

The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 2 closes Five Finger Death Punch's two-part set with darker grooves and melody.

Rockville uses warm vocals, smooth keyboards and tasteful guitar to present FM’s mature melodic rock.

Rockville II stands alongside Rockville and offers more of FM’s soft-edged melodies, polished keyboards and restrained guitar work.

Ghost's second album, from April 2013: recorded in Nashville, their major label debut, and a 2014 Grammis winner.

C'mon Take on Me throws rough guitar, urgent beats and poisonous vocals forward with force.

Mood Swings II revisits familiar material through the voice, production weight and arrangement sense of its recording period.

The sixth album, twelve songs, with official music videos for "Put It To The Torch" and "Honor Never Dies".

Straight Out of Hell delivers power metal’s exhilaration through fast rhythm, bright sharp guitars and soaring choruses.

A fourth album with new guitarist Renato Osorio and a move to AFM Records — and once again the Japanese edition came out first.

HIM's eighth and last album, from April 2013. It was made after the drummer Mika Karppinen's recovery and paid for by the band themselves, who had no label at the time.

The fourteenth album, eleven tracks cut with Vinnie Colaiuta, Chris Chaney and Mike Keneally. Out 7 May 2013.

Disarm the Descent links Killswitch Engage’s sharp-chopped riffs, explosive breakdowns and clean choruses that open with real emotion.

The Paradigm Shift centers Korn’s low, rolling guitars, bouncing rhythms and anxious vocal expression to restore the band’s unmistakable uneasy groove.

Kvelertak's second album, from March 2013: black metal and rock and roll played in the same place.

Novum Initium combines thick guitar riffs, classically colored keyboards and dramatic choruses to deliver traditional melodic metal with force.

Super Collider keeps Megadeth’s cutting guitar identity while giving more room to mid-tempo groove and vocal melody.

Through Our Darkest Days combines Mercenary’s sharp melodic-death-metal riffing with power-metal-sized vocal melody.

Generation Nothing puts Metal Church’s hard-chopped guitar, solid rhythm and rough vocal force at the front, reaffirming the power of traditional American heavy metal.

A number one on the Finnish album chart, certified gold in four days: the seventh solo album, made with Dregen on guitar.

Ministry's thirteenth album, out on 6 September 2013, the year after the death of the guitarist Mike Scaccia.

Motörhead's 2013 album, released on 21 October on their own UDR label. Fourteen tracks, with official videos for "Heartbreaker", "Electricity" and "When the Sky Comes Looking for You".

Killhammer stacks sharp guitar riffs, heavy rhythm and forceful vocals to deliver Mystic Prophecy’s hard-edged power metal.

Outrage's eleventh album, out on 5 June 2013. It is the second since Naoki Hashimoto's return and follows directly from the self-titled record before it.

Ceremonial balances Pink Cream 69’s melodic-hard-rock accessibility with weighty guitar riffs.

The fifth album and Powerwolf's first German No. 1 — the first record for Napalm, and the one that changed the band's standing.

The thirteenth album, which Ronnie Atkins called the band's best song for song.

Queens of the Stone Age's sixth album, from June 2013: their first American number one, with Dave Grohl, Elton John and others on it.

The self-titled Queensrÿche places sharp riffs, dramatic vocals and tense arrangements in the foreground, restating the band’s traditional progressive-metal identity.

Spirit packs bright synthesizers, flashy guitar and sing-along choruses into Reckless Love’s glam-rock world.

Dark Wings of Steel combines heavy guitar riffs, grand keyboards and orchestration, and dramatic vocals in Rhapsody of Fire’s power-metal world.

A Life to Die For uses classical-leaning keyboards, layered choruses and dramatic vocals to build Royal Hunt’s grand progressive-metal world.

Sammy Hagar & Friends brings together various guests for a relaxed run through hard rock, blues and melodic rock.

Saxon's twentieth album, released in March 2013. It is the first Saxon album produced and mixed by Andy Sneap.

Sepultura's thirteenth studio album, from October 2013, and the first Ross Robinson had produced for them since Roots seventeen years earlier.

A set of SINNER's 1980s songs re-recorded, with a few new ones added. David Readman and Erik Martensson are among the guest vocalists.

The Living Infinite uses the scale of a double album to explore Soilwork’s sharp melodic death metal, modern groove and clean-vocal songfulness in wide detail.

Ceasing to Breathe combines heavy breakdowns, sharp guitars and melodic clean vocals to bring Still Remains back into metalcore with real heat.

House of Gold & Bones – Part 2 brings the story begun on its predecessor toward a conclusion through heavier riffs and urgent vocal melody.

Nemesis brings fast rhythm, fluent guitar and sparkling synthesizers together with a more contemporary electronic edge.

A studio album released in 2013.

A 2013 album of re-recorded earlier material.

Everblack packs high-speed blast beats, slicing riffs and dark melody into a concentrated Black Dahlia Murder attack.

Tour de Force uses powerful vocals, energetic guitar and memorable choruses to capture Swedish melodic hard rock at full color.

Vengeance Falls packs Trivium’s sharp riffs, tight rhythm and memorable clean choruses into a focused, compact form.

Steelhammer delivers traditional heavy metal through U.D.O.’s steel-hard riffs, forward-driving rhythm and instantly recognizable vocal character.

Voivod's thirteenth studio album, from January 2013 and the first with Daniel Mongrain on guitar.

Rise Up builds modern melodic hard rock from strong vocals, thick choruses and focused guitar riffs.

The Q-Music Sessions, born of a Dutch radio project, has WITHIN TEMPTATION recasting pop and rock hits in grand style around Sharon den Adel's voice.

Stalingrad drives Accept’s sharp guitar riffs, marching rhythm and commanding choruses into a concentrated statement of traditional metal weight.

Music from Another Dimension! moves through bluesy rock and roll, catchy arena rock and emotional balladry as if surveying Aerosmith’s long career from several angles.

A War You Cannot Win combines All That Remains’ tightly chugging guitars and heavy breakdowns with large clean-vocal choruses.

Burning Oath is Anthem's fourteenth studio album, released on 24 October 2012. It was their first for Universal Music Japan after leaving Victor, and Isamu Tamaru plays the drums on every track but one.

XXX layers Asia’s clear keyboard colors, song-focused guitar work and measured vocals with care.

reDISCOver(ed) is a covers album on which AXXIS recasts other artists' old classics in its own sound, led by Bernhard Weiss's voice.

BLAZING CRISIS joins Blindman’s expressive vocals, fluent guitar lines and full choruses into dramatic melodic hard rock.

Borknagar's ninth album, out in March 2012 and the first with ICS Vortex and Vintersorg sharing the lead vocal.

The eighth Corrosion of Conformity album, from February 2012: self-titled, and made as a trio without Pepper Keenan.

Cradle of Filth's tenth studio album, from October 2012 and the only one made by the band as a three-piece.

Riot Avenue uses flashy guitars, immediate choruses and streetwise beats to bring the pleasures of eighties hard rock into a contemporary setting.

Endless World is Cyntia’s debut, combining bright twin guitars, fast rhythm and soaring female vocals.

Epicloud fuses Devin Townsend Project’s massive choirs, thick guitars, electronic texture and surprisingly accessible melodies into one wide-screen sound.

Broken Bones is shaped by Dokken’s hard guitar riffs, shadowed melodies and a somewhat darker sound.

The debut album in which Fuki and the four Gacharic Spin instrumentalists pack metal, hard rock, progressive turns and vivid pop color into ten songs.

Down's first six-song EP in the Down IV series, from September 2012 and also known as The Purple EP. It was their first new music in five years.

DragonForce's fifth album, from April 2012, and the first with Marc Hudson, the singer the band chose by audition after ZP Theart's departure.

Sultans of Sin uses fast-moving riffs, shining keyboards and forward vocals to deliver youthful melodic metal.

Bleed & Scream joins hard, tight riffs, urgent rhythm and instantly singable choruses into a persuasive form of modern melodic rock.

Requiem for the Indifferent uses orchestral weight, heavy guitars and the contrast between clean and harsh vocals to frame social concerns on a large scale.

Bag of Bones moves Europe further into the foundations of seventies hard rock and blues rock, building a mature band sound.

Fear Factory's eighth studio album, from 2012. The drums are programmed throughout and only Bell and Cazares are credited as members.

Few Against Many centers Firewind’s sharp riffs, fluid solos and strong vocals in a tightly focused power-metal record.

Land of the Crimson Dawn opens Freedom Call’s bright melodies, brisk speed and fantasy-colored world to the fullest.

Angel of Salvation brings together Galneryus’s high-speed guitar and keyboards, powerful high-register vocals and a grand approach that includes extended compositions.

L'Enfant Sauvage uses low, rolling riffs, precise rhythm and guitar textures with an unusual sense of space to create metal that is both massive and reflective.

Firebirth marks Gotthard’s new beginning with a new vocalist, built from warm melody, bluesy guitar and reliable band groove.

Great White's twelfth studio album, released by Frontiers in May 2012, was its first with singer Terry Ilous and its first without Jack Russell.

Address the Nation uses bouncing rhythm, bright keyboards and powerful vocals to deliver modern melodic rock with confidence.

Halestorm's second album, from April 2012; "Love Bites (So Do I)" won a Grammy from it.

Danger Zone combines soaring vocals, tight guitar riffs and thick choruses into a polished statement of classic melodic hard rock.

Fanatic moves between powerful vocals, acoustic shading and heavy guitar riffs to show Heart’s continuing rock vitality.

Damage Control brings Jeff Scott Soto’s powerful voice, modern guitar riffs and polished melody into a varied hard-rock setting.

Silverthorn introduces a new vocalist while reconnecting Kamelot’s heavy riffs, symphonic decoration and dark storytelling.

Monster puts thick guitar riffs, simple beats and full-band choruses at the front of a direct rock and roll statement.

The third album and the first for AFM Records, number 50 in Germany. They toured it as support to Steel Panther. Reveltas issued the Japanese edition as SPIN-0035 with one bonus track.

Kreator's thirteenth album, out on Nuclear Blast in June 2012 and a defining record of their later melodic period.

The tenth L.A. Guns studio album, released on 5 June 2012 by the Phil Lewis and Steve Riley line-up through Cleopatra / Deadline. Fourteen songs, and the last studio record made without Tracii Guns.

Lacuna Coil's sixth studio album, again produced by Don Gilmore, came out in January 2012 and reached number 15, their best, on the Billboard 200.

Resolution uses shifting rhythms, hard-chopped riffs and rough vocals to build high-tension groove metal.

El Dorado Hotel layers Lana Lane’s clear vocals, keyboard-born fantasy colors and dramatic guitar work.

Ten Tangerine Tales uses soft-edged vocals, rich keyboards and polished guitar to portray the warmth of Scandinavian melodic rock with care.

XI: The Days Before Tomorrow uses heavy guitar, shadowed melody and restrained vocals to create mature hard rock.

Living Things condenses Linkin Park’s heavy guitars, electronic beats, rap and melodic singing into short, sharp songs.

2·0·1·2 is the twenty-fifth Loudness album, released by Tokuma Japan Communications on 22 August 2012, in the band's thirty-first year. The first pressing carried a bonus disc.

Ministry's twelfth album, out on 23 March 2012. Mike Scaccia, who died at the end of that year, plays guitar on it.

Overkill's sixteenth album, released in March 2012 and recorded at D.D. Verni's own Gear Recording Studios; it reached number 77 on the Billboard 200.

Paradise Lost's thirteenth album, released by Century Media on 24 April 2012: produced by Jens Bogren, and the first studio album with Adrian Erlandsson on drums.

Vibrato shows Paul Gilbert’s range through fluent solos, thick rock riffs and playful arrangements.

Pride of Lions' fourth studio album, released on 21 September 2012 — eleven songs, and the band's first record in five years. King Records' Nexus imprint issued the Japanese edition on 24 October as KICP-1639.

Unbreakable puts Primal Fear’s steel-edged riffs, fast rhythm and powerful high-register vocals at the front of a title-true power-metal record.

21 joins Rage’s cutting guitars, tight rhythms and constantly changing structures into power metal that is aggressive yet intelligent.

Clockwork Angels joins Rush’s precise rhythms, shape-shifting bass, inventive guitar and science-fiction storytelling in a full concept work.

Fire From the Sky uses sharp thrash riffs, heavy breaks and rough vocals to create dark, aggressive metal.

Amaryllis combines heavy guitars, electronic texture and emotionally expansive vocals into modern rock with real scale.

Apocalyptic Love is built around Slash’s thick, singing guitar, Myles Kennedy’s powerful vocals and a dependable rhythm section.

Stones Grow Her Name builds on Sonata Arctica’s melodic power-metal speed while adding folk-shaped melodies, acoustic touches and progressive turns.

Soundgarden's sixth album, out on 13 November 2012: their first studio album in sixteen years, and a number-five debut on the Billboard 200.

The eighth album and the second instalment of the Real Illusions trilogy, out on 14 August 2012.

House of Gold & Bones – Part 1 opens STONE SOUR's two-part concept work, telling a story by Corey Taylor through heavy riffs and melodic songs.

Armed to the Teeth uses cutting twin guitars, speedy drums and big choruses to deliver youthful traditional metal.

Emotional Fire centers Joe Lynn Turner’s seasoned vocals within polished keyboards, melodic guitars and high-quality choruses.

Dark Roots of Earth joins Testament’s sharp thrash riffs, heavy groove and aggressive vocals into thrash metal with modern thickness.

Choice of Weapon uses thick riffs, psychedelic echo and distinctive vocals to create mature alternative hard rock.

The Darkness's third album, released in August 2012: their first since 2005, made by the four original members after their 2011 reunion.

The Faceless's third album, released by Sumerian Records in August 2012 and opening with a three-part suite.

The third album by Miami's Torche, from 2012: thirteen songs in under forty minutes, heaviness and bright melody in the same place.

New Audio Machine is Trixter’s return to straightforward American hard rock, driven by bright choruses, lively guitar and easy-rolling rhythm.

The tenth studio album, released by Rocksector Records on 24 September 2012. Target Records reissued it in 2020 with bonus tracks.

Recorded with Tommy Newton in Celle and out first in Japan on 22 February, UFO's 2012 album went straight to the top of the UK Rock & Metal chart.

Unisonic’s debut brings seasoned members together around powerful high-register vocals, polished guitar and heavy rhythm to play classic melodic metal.

A Different Kind of Truth reunites Van Halen with David Lee Roth and brings the band’s thick riffs, bouncing rhythm and unruly vocal personality back to the front.

Reinventions is Wigelius’s debut, built from fresh vocals, shining keyboards and melodic guitar to portray the brightness and polish of Scandinavian AOR.

Spellbound carries Yngwie Malmsteen’s neoclassical style through classically shaped phrases, high-speed guitar runs and dramatic harmony.

Determination joins Aldious’ bright twin guitars, speed-driven rhythm and soaring vocals into melodic metal with real lift.

Amaranthe's self-titled debut defined the band's sound, crossing female clean, male clean and harsh vocals over metal with an electronic edge.

Beneath lets Amoral move between heavy-metal riffs, hard-rock songcraft and progressive turns.

The Beginning of Times wraps Amorphis’ mythology-rooted atmosphere in melancholy melody, weighty guitar and soft keyboard color.

Heraldic Device is Anthem's thirteenth studio album, released on 6 July 2011. It was their last studio record for Victor Entertainment and the high-water mark of the line-up with Eizo Sakamoto and Hirotsugu Homma.

Worship Music brings together Anthrax’s cutting thrash riffs, bouncing groove and commanding choruses to balance tradition with a modern punch.

Khaos Legions is built around the Amott brothers’ sharp twin guitars, Angela Gossow’s ferocious vocals and heavy, precise rhythm.

Atmosphere layers Bad Habit’s soft-edged vocals, full choruses and glossy keyboards into the warmth associated with Scandinavian AOR.

Hell Yeah! puts Black ’n Blue’s catchy choruses, thick guitar riffs and good-time rock-and-roll spirit up front.

Chickenfoot III brings Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith together around thick riffs and a free-breathing sense of performance.

Relentless Reckless Forever sends Children of Bodom’s fast guitar riffs, neoclassical keyboards and rough vocals forward at full speed.

Deafheaven's debut, released by Deathwish Inc. in April 2011: four songs, recorded in four days.

Deconstruction packs Devin Townsend’s extreme heaviness, complex turns, humor and unease into one ambitious work.

Ghost uses acoustic guitar, soft vocals and ambient-like sound to create Devin Townsend’s quieter, open-air side.

Dir En Grey's eighth album, from 2011: fourteen tracks running 67:31, recorded between 2010 and 2011.

DRAGONLAND's fifth album, released in 2011 after a five-year gap since Astronomy. The third chapter of The Dragonland Chronicles saga, it completes the story of the first two albums and was released by AFM Records; many regard it as the band's masterpiece.

A Dramatic Turn of Events is a turning-point album for Dream Theater, introducing Mike Mangini through intricate meters, precise ensemble work and large-scale melody.

Knock You Down is a hard-rock record built around Dynazty’s thick guitar riffs, energetic beats and instantly singable choruses.

Age of the Joker by EDGUY: track list, Spotify player and English liner notes on METAL BOOST.

Evanescence’s self-titled album layers heavy guitar, electronic texture, Amy Lee’s striking voice and piano to update the band’s dark appeal for a new moment.

Full Circle revisits FireHouse songs through new performances, bringing the band’s bright melodies, soaring vocals and lively guitar back into focus.

American Capitalist uses low chugging riffs, heavyweight beats and forceful vocals to push Five Finger Death Punch’s direct modern-metal impact.

Phoenix Rising brings Galneryus’ fluent guitar, shining keyboards and high-reaching vocals together in power metal with a distinctly Japanese melodic sense.

A third album released in Japan ahead of the rest of the world — and the Tokyo show that May became the live record Blinded by Tokyo.

Sounds of a Playground Fading retains melodic-death guitar language while moving In Flames toward a more direct, modern sound.

The Landing carries Iron Savior’s science-fiction atmosphere through steel-edged riffs, fast rhythm and heroic choruses.

Eclipse brings Neal Schon’s guitar further forward, supporting Journey’s arena-rock melodies with a tougher riff foundation.

The Path of Totality pairs Korn with dubstep and EDM producers, placing the band’s heavy riffs directly against the impact of electronic sound.

Nine Lives uses soft vocals, tasteful keyboards and emotional guitar to portray the warmth of Scandinavian melodic rock.

Eve to Dawn is the twenty-fourth Loudness album, released on 14 September 2011. Akira Takasaki described it as guitar-driven and more aggressive than King of Pain, which had been built around the drummer. It reached No. 36 on Oricon.

Unto the Locust expands Machine Head’s groove-metal weight through low growling riffs, complex rhythm and long-form drama.

Tokyo Jukebox 2 continues MARTY FRIEDMAN's cover project, widening the selection of Japanese pop and anime classics played on his singing guitar.

The fifth studio album, which reached number 10 on the Billboard 200. "Curl of the Burl" was nominated for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance at the 54th Grammy Awards.

Thirteen combines Megadeth’s slicing riffs, restless rhythm and Dave Mustaine’s dry, sardonic vocal character.

Metamorphosis layers Mercenary’s heavyweight guitar, melodic leads and clean-to-harsh vocal contrast to show the band’s strength amid change.

Produced by Jack Douglas, with Lemmy Kilmister and Lucinda Williams guesting; Classic Rock magazine named it Album of the Year.

What If... lets the reunited Mr. Big members play to each other’s strengths across catchy rock songs and emotional ballads.

The third album by Tunisia's Myrath, from October 2011, built on Arabic scales and melody inside progressive metal.

Ravenlord puts Mystic Prophecy’s hard guitar riffs, heroic choruses and powerful vocals at the front of a traditional power-metal record.

Here and Now uses thick guitar, heavy beats and instantly memorable choruses to deliver Nickelback’s arena-ready hard rock directly.

Somewhere in California reaffirms Night Ranger’s American hard-rock identity through bright choruses, lively twin guitars and colorful keyboards.

Imaginaerum layers Nightwish’s orchestra, choir, heavy guitar and Anette Olzon’s voice into a fantasy narrative about dreams and memory.

Opeth's tenth album, from September 2011, made without a single death growl and turned towards the progressive rock of the 1970s.

The fourth album, produced by Fredrik Nordström and the first with drummer Roel van Helden — and the band's first German chart entry, at No. 23.

A Japan-only album of newly re-recorded early Praying Mantis songs, made for the band's thirtieth anniversary and released by King Records on 21 December 2011 as KICP-1598. Eleven tracks.

Dedicated to Chaos uses dark sound, irregular rhythm and electronic texture to move Queensrÿche somewhat away from a conventional metal template.

Animal Attraction packs Reckless Love’s flashy guitars, bouncing beats and instantly chantable choruses into bright, compact songs.

From Chaos to Eternity layers orchestra, choir, speed metal and narration to bring Rhapsody of Fire’s long-running fantasy story to a large-scale close.

Immortal Soul combines Riot’s sharp twin guitars, speedy rhythm and powerful high-register singing to renew the heat of traditional US metal.

Show Me How to Live reunites Royal Hunt with D.C. Cooper, reconnecting André Andersen’s grand keyboards, melodic guitar and dramatic vocals.

Saxon's nineteenth album, released on 3 June 2011. The chorus of "Back in '79" is sung by fans invited into the studio.

Comeblack pairs new SCORPIONS recordings of the band's signature songs with covers of the 1960s and 1970s rock classics that became its roots.

The eighth Septicflesh album, from April 2011, recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

Sepultura's twelfth studio album, from June 2011, their first for Nuclear Blast, and a record about time.

Shy layers expressive vocals, polished guitar and full choruses into mature British melodic rock.

Recorded in Stuttgart with Mat Sinner producing and Achim Köhler engineering, it reached number 65 on the German album chart. Rage drummer André Hilgers and Alex Beyrodt play on it.

The fourth album by Iceland's Solstafir, out in October 2011: a double record, six songs on each disc.

Balls Out delivers Steel Panther’s oversized eighties glam-metal riffs, flashy solos and giant choruses with full commitment to humor.

Elysium layers Stratovarius’ shining keyboards, fluent guitar and high-register vocals into power metal that combines speed with emotion.

A 2011 album given over to songs by other artists.

Iconoclast joins Symphony X’s low, heavy guitar riffs, complex rhythm and Russell Allen’s powerful vocals to push the heavier side of progressive metal.

Twisted Wires & the Acoustic Sessions... is a reconstruction-type work on which TESLA re-illuminated past songs with present-day playing and production…

Ritual layers The Black Dahlia Murder’s cutting riffs, icy melodies and feral vocals into extreme metal with high tension.

The Haunted's seventh album, released on 16 March 2011, twelve tracks running 42:21.

Performocracy uses The Poodles’ large choruses, melodic guitar and bright keyboards to create polished Scandinavian hard rock.

Samsara uses shadowed melodies, heavy guitar and restrained vocals to create dark, emotional gothic metal.

In Waves crosses Trivium’s sharp thrash riffs, breakdown weight and melodic choruses to display the band’s range.

Rev-Raptor puts U.D.O.’s hard riffs, forceful drums and Udo Dirkschneider’s unmistakable raspy voice at the front of traditional metal.

The second album by Cambridge's Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats, from 2011: self-released, and the record that broke them.

Rockaholic is built around Warrant’s catchy choruses, easy-moving riffs and positive rock-and-roll feel.

Forevermore layers Whitesnake’s blues-rooted thick riffs, weighty arrangements and David Coverdale’s expressive voice.

The Unforgiving builds on a narrative concept with Sharon den Adel’s clear voice, heavy guitar and electronic accents.

Blood of the Nations finds Accept rebooting the classic heavy-metal frame with Mark Tornillo and a modern sense of weight.

The second Alcest album, from March 2010: further into shoegaze, and with the black metal voice back in it.

Deep Exceed is Aldious’ debut statement, joining bright twin guitars, speed-driven rhythm and melodic vocals in a traditional melodic-metal frame.

A Road to Depression uses the contrast of female dual vocals and metallic guitar to build shadowed, melodic rock.

For We Are Many combines All That Remains’ cutting riffs, heavy breakdowns and singable choruses in tightly built metalcore.

The Showdown centers on the powerful voices of Russell Allen and Jørn Lande, building dramatic melodic metal around their contrast.

Aqua uses a water-themed concept to connect Angra’s Brazilian rhythmic feel, progressive turns and melodic power-metal lift.

Annihilator is a self-titled dose of Annihilator’s cutting thrash riffs, complex rhythm and Jeff Waters’ distinctive guitar spark.

7th Symphony joins Apocalyptica’s weighty cello sound to metal riffing while making room for guest vocals and electronic color.

Omega layers Asia’s grand keyboards, refined guitar and open choruses to connect progressive sensibility with AOR-style songcraft.

Angel of Babylon expands Avantasia’s metal-opera appeal through varied guest voices and symphonic arrangements.

The Wicked Symphony polishes Avantasia’s grand rock-opera feel with huge choruses, emotional melody and multiple vocal personalities.

Nightmare connects Avenged Sevenfold’s sharp metal riffs, dramatic lead guitar and darker melody.

Order of the Black puts Zakk Wylde’s thick guitar riffs, heavy groove and bluesy song sense at the front in classic Black Label Society fashion.

Blind Guardian's ninth album, released in July 2010 and made with an orchestra from Prague: number two in Germany, their best placing there to that date.

Re-rise reaffirms Blindman’s melodic-hard-rock strengths through fluent guitar work, rich melody and flexible rhythm.

All Night Long delivers Buckcherry’s thick riffs, rough-edged vocals and no-frills rock and roll directly.

The third Bullet for My Valentine album. Sony Music released the Japanese edition first, on 21 April 2010, with Europe following on 23 April and North America on 27 April. Don Gilmore, whose credits include Linkin Park, produced it, and the record entered the US album chart at number three.

Cathedral's ninth album, from March 2010 and their first double album: thirteen songs that bring in Mellotron, sitar and a guest female voice.

Cradle of Filth's ninth studio album, from November 2010, a concept record about Lilith.

Generation Wild joins Crashdïet’s sleazy rock-and-roll charge to catchy choruses and slightly shadowed melody.

New Religion rebuilds the huge choruses, bright guitar and forceful beat of eighties hard rock with a modern sound.