Well 2021 was something else hey? We started optimistic and ended grateful just to be out (if you weren’t in isolation). Thank the devil the music was good. If you were down in Ballarat, Victoria for Knight And Day Festival, then you welcomed 2022 with the return of Parkway Drive to the stageand Polaris FIRST festival headline slot - what a way to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new - Revisit the madness with our AfterFilm!
Hopefully that’s the start of a killer series of festivals we will see returning to Australian shores this year. If you like it heavy there’s a ton of stuff to get excited about so here’s a quick guide to what you should mark in your calendars and keep an eye (and ear) out for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvy6539utaI
Confirmed Album releases!
1. George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher - Corpsegrinder.
Debut solo album from Cannibal Corpse frontman produced by Jamey Jasta and Nick Bellmore - the team behind the last two Dee Snider solo albums. Released February 25th, 2022.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPTtv19ZE14
2. Korn - Requiem.
After a couple of very solid downtuned albums, the first singles indicates there might be a change of pace from the nu metal originators. Released February 4th, 2022 - (our review here)
3. Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators - 4.
Return of Slash, Myles and crew. No doubt there will be killer solos. Released February 11th, 2022.
4. Zeal & Ardor - Zeal & Ardor.
There’s been a steady stream of singles to preview this one. Released February 11th, 2022.
5. Short Stack - Maybe There’s No Heaven.
The Stack are back! Get your eyeliner and hair spray ready. Released February 25th, 2022.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSyidsUhUzM
6. Sabaton - The War to End All Wars.
German power metal masters return with more symphonic tales about War. Should be tremendous. Released March 4th, 2022.
7. Northlane - Obsidian.
NL6 is shaping up as a pivotal release now that the band is independent. The singles are heavy and catchy. April 1st, 2022.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDsLFV5xhvk
8. Porcupine Tree - Closure/Continuation.
One of the best surprises to end the year was the announcement of a new Porcupine Tree album and first music, the single ‘Harridan’, since double album The Incident in 2010! Released June 22nd, 2022.
9. Ghost
Ghost will return with the new album, Impera set for release on March 11th, 2022. With Halloween Kills single ‘Hunter’s Moon’ serving as the first single, you know you're in for a ghoullish time!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtkaUZvMaG8
Possible album releases?
10. Slipknot’s two albums?
With single ‘The Chapeltown Rag’ dropping to end 2021, it seems almost certain that we will get a new album from the 9 by the end of 2022. Is this a standalone single though, similar to the release of ‘All Out Life’ prior to We Are Not Your Kind? But that’s not even the biggest question for the 'Knot - could this be the year they unleash the second album of material from the All Hope is Gone sessions?
11. Parkway Drive
They've been working hard in their COVID time off and new material is on the way according to the band. This'll be the Byron Bay boys' first taste of new music since their triumphant 2018 album Reverence and with everything that's gone on in the world since then, you better believe it'll be angry!
- Polaris
During our interview at Knight And Day, frontman Jamie Hails alluded to the boys already working on new material which won't start seeing the light of day until they've toured The Death of Me internationally - could that mean new music by Christmas at least? If you're good, Santa-core might just deliver something for you!
Aussie Gigs!
13. UNIFY Gathering returns on March 10-13
Headlined by The Amity Affliction and Violent Soho.
Up-to-date Rolling Coverage here
14. Monolith Festival debuts
Headlined by prog kings Karnivool.
Tours Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth. March 12th - April 9th. Info
15. The Amity Affliction, Polaris/Make Them Suffer and Northlane all hit the road with headline tours in the first half of the year. See band websites for dates and info.
[gallery type="square" ids="https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/amity-tour.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/polaris.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/northlane-tour.jpg|"]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StxpsCODVT8
16. Good Things Festival will return in December.
No announcement on bands as yet, just confirmation it will run December 2nd - December 4th in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Info.
International tours
17. KISS will finally tour Australia for the final time!
18. Black Veil Brides make their way over in May. Info
19. I Prevail and Motionless In White returns to slaughter mosh pits in June. Info
20. Guns n Roses will bring their ‘We’re F’n Back’ tour to stadium in November/December.
21. Educate Ebony Season 2: The Prog Edition
Ebony pulled some big guests for Season 1: The Metal Edition, so the announcement for Season 2 is something to get hyped about. You can catch up on Season 1 here on Wall of Sound.
22. Killer Content, Done our Way.
Browny has big plans for 2022. You’re gonna love it. Promise. Keep an eye on the socials and site, particularly in the second half of the year. Time to fill a gap in the local industry. That’s all I’ll say.
Words by KJ Draven @kjdraven
