Whether a band are releasing their first album or their tenth, 2019 will be packed full of record drops that will form the backbone of the musical calendar. New talent and big comebacks will shape the scene this year, so we’ve picked out a handful of albums that we can expect to see over the next 12 months.

We’ve picked out firmly established favourites Bring Me The Horizon and While She Sleeps who’ll have big years with their upcoming releases coming very early in the year, as well some other heavily expected records, and a few that are hinted at with recent activity and interviews too.

Have a read below to see who else our writers are predicting will be making a mark in 2019 with a new release.

THE 1975

‘Notes On A Conditional Form’

(Dirty Hit/Polydor Records)

RELEASE DATE: May 31st

At the start of 2018, most fans of The 1975 were expecting an album titled ‘Music For Cars’ to drop in June, and that would be that. We all should’ve realised that these fellas aren’t that predictable, and what we were given instead was an announcement of two albums out within a year, with last month’s critically-acclaimed record ‘A Brief Inquiry To Online Relationships’ being the first of the two offerings.

Despite frontman Matty Healy confessing that The 1975‘s forthcoming fourth studio album ‘Notes On A Conditional Form’ was not intentionally “intrinsically connected” to its predecessor, it is part of the self-declared ‘Music For Cars’ era. Healy has described the LP as a “night time record” with a “UK Garage” influence. While musically you can never be certain just what The 1975 will do next, you can be sure that their enormous status as one the world’s biggest bands is only going to continue to grow. [DyT]

ATTILA

‘Villain’

(Unsigned)

RELEASE DATE: February 22nd

Back in the beginning of 2018, Attila announced that they had stepped away from SharpTone Records with the intention to proceed as an unsigned and independent band for the foreseeable future. From that point, the band dropped a few one-off singles whenever they pleased, including a controversial call out list, and even a song dedicated to one of the best foods ever: pizza.

The band have recently announced that their seventh LP ‘Villain’ is on the way, which will be the follow-up to 2016’s ‘Chaos’, and frontman Fronz has even shared the odd clip on his Instagram story videos of a few songs, one in particular with a call-to-arms refrain too. This new record also marks the longest wait between Attila albums so far. [ZR]

BEING AS AN OCEAN

‘TBC’

(TBC)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

2017 was a massive year for Being As An Ocean as they went from stepping away from a label, to an unsigned band and releasing an full-length album mere days after. In 2018, the band re-released a deluxe version of this record, ‘Waiting For Morning To Come’, and then spent the majority of their time on the road.

As the band said themselves in an interview with us at the beginning of November, “We have just recorded a brand new album too. We finished it about two, three weeks ago.” The band also said they wanted to “just throw everything into a pot and stir it up and create something great.” After having such a big two years, both personally and musically, 2019 sure has a lot to live up to, but by the sound of it, Being As An Ocean are relishing the challenge. [JE]

BLOOD YOUTH

‘Starve’

(Rude Records)

RELEASE DATE: February 22nd

Blood Youth released single ‘Starve’ earlier this year, and whilst it’s an absolute banger, it came as quite a shock to fans who weren’t expecting the heavier sound. But, in the words of the band, “you have no idea what’s coming.”

We spoke to bassist Matt Tollinson and guitarist Chris Pritchard earlier this year about the album, and they told us that it would be “a complete 180” from their previous work, promising more heavy tracks, and declaring that this record is “what they’ve always wanted to do.” Recent track ‘Keep You Alive’ seems to be in the same vein as ‘Starve’, being equally riffy and ominous. Be prepared to head bang. [LC]

BRING ME THE HORIZON

‘amo’

(RCA Records)

RELEASE DATE: January 25th

One of the most eagerly awaited new releases is Bring Me The Horizon‘s sixth album, ‘amo’. The metalcore heavyweights are at the top of their game right now, having just completed a headline run that saw them storm London’s Alexandra Palace for two nights, and with lead single ‘Mantra’ scoring them a GRAMMY nomination.

With the band themselves describing the album as “varied” and “weird”, and collaborations with rappers Grimes and Rahzel on the cards, ‘amo’ looks set to be less heavy than the band’s previous work, though whether that’s a good or a bad thing could divide fans. Either way, there’s not long to wait now. We’ve heard it, and trust us, it’s brilliant. [LC]

CHAPEL

‘TBC’

(Rise Records)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Fancy your alternative music with a hint of electro-pop, eccentricity, and a flamboyant, fun-soaked atmosphere? Well then let us introduce to you the wonderful world of synth-rock outfit Chapel. The duo’s debut EP ‘Sunday Brunch’ was a pink plated dish of delights, serving up scrumptious synth hooks, sickly sweet vocals, and more melodies than you can munch your way through.

The two-piece ended 2018 working heavily in the studio recording their debut album, with an announcement of said record being imminent, ensuring that their 2019 is set to be a big one. So, get your dancing shoes on, and get ready to have some fun with Chapel next year. [DyT]

CREEPER

‘TBC’

(Roadrunner Records)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

On the night of Halloween 2018, Creeper played a “final” show in London where they left the stage to the emotional noise of crying fans, as they declared the night “the last show we’ll ever do”. Yet, despite the fear of finality, their declaration doesn’t necessarily spell the eternal end for one of the UK’s best rock bands.

The Southampton five-piece are one for the melodramatics, and as such, many expect a Bowie-style regeneration in 2019, with the band returning with a reinvented image, aesthetic, sound – the lot. Frontman Will Gould expressed his conflicting feelings towards the same get-up and repeating songs, confessing that the fictional ‘Callous Heart’ was wearing thin on him near its end. So, maybe Eternity can end, but what rises from the ashes may very well be worth the wait. [DyT]

A DAY TO REMEMBER

‘TBC’

(ADTR)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Founded in the spring of 2003, Florida’s A Day To Remember have continued to release banger after banger for over ten years. Their debut album ‘And Their Name Was Treason’ set the band’s template of blending metalcore and pop-punk, and six albums later they’ve only continued to perfect and progress it further.

All has been quiet in the A Day To Remember camp after they wrapped up the cycle for their latest record ‘Bad Vibrations’, allowing the band to focus on their other commitments and priorities in life; vocalist Jeremy McKinnon also recently became a father. But, with festival appearances in 2019 already being confirmed, we’re confident that album number seven will be with us sooner rather than later. [HS]

DECADE

‘TBC’

(Rude Records)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Bath’s Decade have been a little quiet over the most part of 2018, haven’t they? Do you know why? Well, they’ve been working on what will be their third full-length album and follow-up to their 2017 offering, ‘Pleasantries’, a record that finally allowed the band to shake off the pop-punk tag their acquired in their beginnings.

Other than sharing that there is new material on the cards, there isn’t much else in the know publicly about when we’ll finally hear album number three, though you can bet it’ll be here pretty soon. Frontman Alex Sears also tweeted recently that they’d recorded a song that is “both the softest and heaviest song we’ve ever done.” We can’t wait. [ZR]

DEFTONES

‘TBC’

(TBC)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

The all-encompassing, boundary-defying Sacramento veterans need no introduction to most of you. Frontman Chino Moreno hinted at studio work in an interview and a social media post last year, specifically saying that “six or seven songs” were in the works, and any new output from Deftones always generates excitement. Alongside this, they’ve also been busy at home with theIR very own inaugural Dia De Los Deftones festival taking place.

Their last album, 2016’s sombre and brooding ‘Gore’ was greeted with a somewhat mixed reception, and the band have taken many a left turn throughout their long and illustrious career, but what this also means is that when it comes to Deftones, you never know what they’re going to do next. Be sure to expect an intriguing album that provides many talking points. [CZ]

DEVIL SOLD HIS SOUL

‘TBC’

(Basick Records)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

British post-metallers Devil Sold His Soul have been fairly elusive of late, with their last EP ‘Belong ╪ Betray’ coming in 2014 and then no new material seen since 2016, save for the odd song here and there. With original vocalist Ed Gibbs returning to the band to sing alongside current vocalist Paul Green for a series of shows in 2017 (to play debut record ‘A Fragile Hope’ for its tenth anniversary), it’s assumed this is now a permanent fixture, especially with a few studio photos here and there.

Regardless of the uncertainty, that aforementioned EP showcased some of their strongest songs to date and additionally they’ve toured as a dual-vocalled concern with some incendiary shows supporting SikTh and a couple of 2018 festival appearances to boot. They have recently teased on social media that they are close to completing their as yet untitled fourth studio record, so with a consistent line-up there is real hope for a return to form. [NC]

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

‘TBC’

(Solid State Records)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Upon confirming a recent label change earlier this year from Rise Records over to Solid State Records, Ohio metalcore outfit The Devil Wears Prada also let the cat out of the bag that they’ve also started to get into the thick of putting together the follow-up to their 2016 effort, ‘Transit Blues’.

The aforementioned previous record certainly saw the band experimenting with their sound a little bit more, especially when it comes to melody, and there was also somewhat of conceptual theme behind it all in regards to some of the detriments of travel – something that a band who tours the world for most of the year can certainly relate to. Where they’ll go with the next release is yet to be seen. [ZR]

THE DISTILLERS

‘TBC’

(TBC)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

After a 13-year absence, 2018 saw The Distillers reunite under the ‘Coral Fang’ line-up. Shrouded in secrecy, the group spent most of this year using cryptic videos to build anticipation for the double A-side release, ‘Man Vs. Magnet/Blood In Gutters’. Showcasing jagged guitars and raw vocals, both tracks swept away any notions of the group losing their penchant for crafting bloodthirsty punk anthems.

The group have recently finished a US tour, so hopefully this is indication of the group working on new material. Whilst still no updates have been added surrounding the next release for The Distillers, if it’s anything like ‘Man Vs. Magnet’, we’re all in for a no holds barred ride filled with rugged melodies. Whilst 2018 was spent waiting album details, hopefully 2019 delivers. [DT]

EMAROSA

‘Peach Club’

(Hopeless Records)

RELEASE DATE: February 8th

Kentucky’s Emarosa have certainly been evolving and growing over the past few years, gradually transitioning from their post-hardcore past into the world of alternative rock and, with the looks of things with their forthcoming fifth LP ‘Peach Club’, even into pop-rock territory. Its lead single ‘Givin’ Up’ is built for regular replays on the radio.

In fact, Emarosa haven’t been any trace of their post-hardcore past since at least 2014, which was also when vocalist Bradley Walden first entered the fold. It’s baffling that some fans seem to believe otherwise, to the point where Walden has to tweet to establish that era of the band is dead. ‘Peach Club’ will do most of the talking in support of that. [ZR]

EMPLOYED TO SERVE

‘TBC’

(Spinefarm Records/Universal Music Group)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Generally, when it comes to the hardcore scene in Britain, for many the cream of the crop is Employed To Serve, and with good reason. The last thing the Woking five-piece would have expected was their sophomore album, ‘The Warmth Of A Dying Sun’, to be awarded Kerrang!‘s number 1 album of 2017. If their social media pages are anything to go by, they’re showing no signs of slowing down.

The wave of acclaim and attention has resulted in the band getting on support slots with Milk Teeth, Underoath, and Stick To Your Guns, and ultimately culminating in a new record deal with Spinefarm Records. The band have hinted that new music will be on the way next year, and with ‘The Warmth Of A Dying Sun’ showcasing ferocious energy and craftsmanship in equal measure, we can expect the bar to be raised even higher with their third effort. [CZ]

EVERY TIME I DIE

‘TBC’

(Epitaph)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Little is known yet about the follow-up to 2016’s ‘Low Teens’, but Every Time I Di are expected to start writing this winter. The band have just celebrated their twenty year anniversary with a huge tour in the US, including a show in their home town of Buffalo, New York – and rumour has it they’re about to hit the studio very soon.

Vocalist Keith Buckley has said earlier this year that the band have no intention of slowing down, and that they plan to “keep going as long as people want it”, as well as hinting that they’d start writing new material once they’d finished touring, so that’s reassuring. However, what they do on their next record is anyone’s guess. We’ll have to wait and find out. [LC]

THE FAIM

‘TBC’

(BMG)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

The Australian pop-rockers have taken the music world by storm in 2018. Having only played a handful of shows, the quartet were in the studio with the one and only John Feldmann, writing songs with Pete Wentz and Mark Hoppus, and then signed a worldwide record deal with BMG. Not a bad year for a band without a release behind them.

Following a year of constant touring on both sides of the Atlantic, the band released their debut EP ‘Summer Is A Curse’ later the same year. A few line-up changes later and the band are still on tour and fighting to prove the doubters wrong. 2019 could be the year that the quartet release their debut full-length record, and with it show the world what they’re all about. [JE]

FEVER 333

‘Strength In Numb333rs’

(Roadrunner Records)

RELEASE DATE: January 18th

Inglewood’s rap-core super group Fever 333 have spent 2018 in a whirlwind of incendiary live performances and praise for debut EP, ‘Made An America’. Within months of their debut release, ‘Burn It’ was released as the first single for upcoming album, ‘Strength In Numb333rs’. Displaying uncontrollable fury, the single takes the bounce from Rage Against The Machine and throws it through a blender, emerging as a political rallying call on the other side.

If the untamed energy of this first single is anything to go by, the John Feldmann produced record looks to be a furious blend of buzzsaw guitars and growling beats. With the track list confirmed and pre-orders already available, it’s safe to assume Fever 333 will kick off 2019 with an explosion of screams and confrontational lyrics. [DT]

FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES

‘TBC’

(Kobalt Label Services)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Hemel Hemsptead’s very own Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes have been a revelation since forming back in 2015. This punk rock band has pumped out two top quality albums in the three years following, and have secured some pretty impressive festival slots for such a fresh band. Of course, Frank is known for putting on crazy live shows, but the rest of the members have equalled him, forming a reputation as one of the best live bands around at the moment, keeping this buzz going.

As of this article going to publish, there’s currently no news on details about the new record, but if it is to follow the trends of the past two albums, we could be set to have an even more experimental sound from this amazing band. [JB]

GERARD WAY

‘TBC’

(Reprise Records)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Simply put, there is no-one quite like Gerard Way. After fronting My Chemical Romance one of the biggest rock bands in the world, and breaking everyone’s hearts when they split up in 2013, Way decided to go solo and released his debut solo album ‘Hesitant Alien’ in 2014. He’s also focused on a few other projects away from music, most notably his The Umbrella Academy comic series.

Come October 2018, Way began releasing a new single each month – his first offerings of new music in over two years. Admittedly at the time of writing this there’s no official word on whether a new record is on the horizon, but we’re pretty sure these new cuts aren’t just coming from nowhere, and apparently some of them have been written alongside other members of My Chemical Romance. Just quit it with the teasing already. [HS]

HOLDING ABSENCE

‘Holding Absence’

(SharpTone Records)

RELEASE DATE: March 8th

After releasing a much hyped EP with fellow upstarts Loathe, Cardiff’s Holding Absence have finally revealed that their much anticipated debut full-length is on the way. The self-titled album will drop in March, and if huge lead single ‘Like A Shadow’ is anything to go by, it’s set to be killer.

By the sounds of things, it could be an emotional one – frontman Lucas Woodland has said that the album will “document a relationship from start to finish,” and that he feels it “represents the band in the best way possible.” They’ll be celebrating the release with an extensive Europe and UK tour with Capsize, so get your tickets and pre-orders in, as it’s looking like 2019 could be Holding Absence‘s strongest year yet. [LC]

I SEE STARS

‘TBC’

(Sumerian Records)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Featuring extremely few line-up changes, Michigan’s I See Stars have bounded and thundered across the globe since 2009. Flittering between dub step and heavy rock with super clean vocals and metal breakdowns, they set the standard for EHM (electronic hardcore music). Astonishingly creative, they’re even able to translate their tracks into acoustic versions which further convey the emotion injected into their music.

Having released the acoustic versions of tracks from their last record ‘Treehouse’ in an EP earlier this year, it’s surely time that I See Stars supply us with a record full of new music. Right? [RC]

ISSUES

‘TBC’

(TBC)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Issues have been bounding the lines between confrontational metalcore and emotional inspiration since 2012, and have won awards for their unique fusion of the genres. Announced during some recording sessions earlier this year, the band parted ways with co-vocalist Michael Bohn, and though in a few live videos since they’ve handled his screaming output amongst the remaining members, this may see a substantial shift towards a cleaner sound.

No official release date has been set. In fact, other than confirming it’s in the works nothing has been shared publicly about it yet bar a series of posts on Facebook showing continuing progress towards a fully completed album, but you can bet it’ll be here in time to hit those summer airwaves. [RC]

JIMMY EAT WORLD

‘TBC’

(TBC)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Since 2016’s highly anticipated and acclaimed ‘Integrity Blues’, Jimmy Eat World have not even thought about slowing down. Following an incredible co-headline performance at Slam Dunk Festival in May, the Arizona quartet announced a string of shows with Frank Turner in support of his latest album, which will take place in early 2019.

Even with all these announcements, as well as the release of standalone single, ‘Love Never’/’Half Heart’, Jimmy Eat World managed to wrap up the recording of their tenth studio album in late November, expected to be released at some point in 2019. [AB]

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE

‘TBC’

(Metal Blade Records/Music For Nations)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Killswitch Engage have been long known as a heavyweight in the world of metal, and they show no signs of slowing down. The band have announced that they will be teaming up with Metal Blade Records and Music For Nations for their upcoming eighth album, which its release will run in parallel with their twentieth year together as a band.

Currently, we haven’t heard too much about the album, but one piece of news we’re definitely aware of about it is that former vocalist Howard Jones (Light The Torch) will be featuring as a guest vocalist on at least one song. How exciting! [JB]

KORN

‘TBC’

(Roadrunner Records)

RELEASE DATE: March

Whilst on the road promotion the tenth anniversary of their breakthrough full-length ‘Follow The Leader’, the Godfathers of nu-metal, Korn, have confirmed that album number thirteen will “probably” be hitting our ears this March, which means it won’t be long before we hear its lead single and get some more specific details.

Drummer Ray Luzier confirmed they’re working with producer Nick Raskulinecz again on this one, and more recently guitarist Brian “Head” Welch also shared that they’d been working with Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker along with John Feldmann with some writing and demoing sessions. Based off the back of all of this, what they have in-store for us is anyone’s guess right now. [ZR]

LOATHE

‘TBC’

(SharpTone Records)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

In 2017, Loathe burst into the world with quite a bold statement in their theatric, heavy, and quite simply excellent debut album ‘The Cold Sun’, carrying a self-conceived apocalyptic concept that eclipsed that in their previous output. Since then, the British heavy hitters have been dominating the road one venue and festival at a time, becoming one of the most talked about newcomers at the moment.

Though 2018 has largely seen Loathe focusing on touring and performing, along with recruiting a new bassist in Feisal El-Khazragi (ex-Holding AbsenceDownload they shared with us that they had “like five songs so far” and that they’d “like to do an album.” We’d really like that too, guys. [ZR]

MILK TEETH

‘TBC’

(Hopeless Records/Roadrunner Records)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Gloucestershire’s finest grunge/punk rock band Milk Teeth have ended the year with a much different line-up than the one they started 2018 with. With frontwoman Becky Blomfield and drummer Oli Holbrook being the only surviving members, they’ve now been joined by Em Foster (Nervus/Funeral Shakes) to go from being a quartet down to a trio.

Despite the hard times and member changes, the band have stated that the new material is “definitely influenced by the heavier things we listen to.” This seems to be further backed up by the fact that the band have tested the waters with a new song earlier this year with their new single, ‘Stain’. This is all we’ve currently heard about the upcoming release, but we’re feeling certain this is leading up to a full-length before the year is out. [JB]

LAMB OF GOD

‘TBC’

(Nuclear Blast Records)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Disregarding covers record ‘Legion: XX’, American grove metal veterans Lamb Of God are gearing up for their first studio record of original material since 2015’s ‘VII: Sturm und Drang’; although with drummer Chris Adler pencilling a release date of Winter 2019, it may be a bit of a wait.

Adler himself is back in the band after a short leave of absence which coincided with the band’s masterful support slot on Slayer‘s worldwide farewell tour, so batteries should now be fully charged to tackle the new record. They’re set to continue the Slayer tour through 2019 and will also take in festival appearances at Download, Graspop, and Hellfest before concentrating on finalising the recording process of the, as yet untitled, new album. [NC]

THE NUMBER TWELVE LOOKS LIKE YOU

‘TBC’

(TBC)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

We were pretty confident that New Jersey’s The Number Twelve Looks Like You would be releasing their fifth album last year, which would also be their first since their reformation in 2016. However, it looks like the band needed to do a bit more writing and tweaking here and there. Still, 2019 looks set to be the year where we hear what the rebirth of TNTLLY sounds like.

Though there’s very little information on the record, the band have shared a handful of photos and videos of them working in the studio, and have also began releasing merchandise, art, and posters which on them already detail some lyrics from their new songs. It’s definitely going to be as dark, intense, and twisted as everything that’s come before it. [ZR]

PAPA ROACH

‘Who Do You Trust?’

(Eleven Seven Music)

RELEASE DATE: January 18th

25 years since their formation, Papa Roach have been a formidable name in hard rock, with nine full-length albums to their name. 2019 is about to see that become ten. Papa Roach‘s next effort, ‘Who Do You Trust?’ sees them expanding their sound, adopting elements from pop, rap, and electronics that take the scene veterans to another level.

Even their bassist Tony Esperance admits that their upcoming release draws upon the “genres that inspire” the band most of all, so while the days of ‘Last Resort’ may be well and truly dead and gone, the same can’t be said for the four-piece. Prepare yourself for a potential game-changer from the Californians. [DyT]

PERIPHERY

‘Periphery IV’

(3DOT Records)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

After five albums and two EPs released between 2010 and 2016, American tech-metal crew Periphery have been a little on the quiet side of late. Bassist Adam “Nolly” Getgood stepping down from touring with the band after 2016’s ‘Periphery III: Select Difficulty’ may have contributed slightly to the brief pause, but with new record label 3DOT Records created and a focus from Getgood on producing, the band now look to have all their ducks in a row to hit 2019 head on.

With no official name yet (although you’d bet on them maintaining the Roman-numeral led trend) and no specific release date, the air of uncertainty is still high, but considering their mightily strong back catalogue, one is expecting a heavyweight return. [NC]

POLAR

‘TBC’

(Arising Empire/Nuclear Blast)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Having taken a well deserved break, UK hardcore’s finest POLAR are back, and with a new album on the way having signed a new deal with Arising Empire/Nuclear Blast. We chatted with the band last month, who told us we can expect a more mature and expansive record, one that’s different from anything they’ve done before. They even hinted at some 80s style electro elements, though assured us they’re retaining the heavy sound. Interesting.

Lead single ‘Drive’ has been a hit with fans, and other new songs have been teased live. There’s no exact release date or title yet, but the band have promised we’ll get it early next year. Strap yourselves in. [LC]

PUPPY

‘The Goat’

(Spinefarm Records)

RELEASE DATE: January 25th

Anyone in the know about Puppy knows that we’ve long been due a debut full-length from the London trio, after a string of releases such as the ‘Vol I’ and ‘Vol II’ EPs, as well as the ‘Demons’ and ‘World Stands Still’ singles.

In January, their debut full-length ‘The Goat’ is finally going to hit the shelves, and the worldwide web. They’ve earned acclaim by combining heavy, chunky riffs with dulcet melodies and rich harmonies, as well as tirelessly touring, earning slots with bands such as CKY. They’ve also recently wrapped up tours with Creeper and King 810. They’ve previously described their music as growing up listening to Metallica and Pavement in equal measure, so be sure to expect an interesting album. [CZ]

SAY ANYTHING

‘Oliver Appropriate’

(Dine Alone Records)

RELEASE DATE: January 25th

As the year draws to a close, anticipation for ‘Oliver Appropriate’, the eight studio album from Say Anything, approaches an all time high. With a release date next month, frontman Max Bemis has described this latest offering as a direct sequel to 2004’s , depicting an older, more mature version of the narrator present in that record.

So far, four tracks from the album have been released, entitled ‘Dazed’, ‘Pink Snot’, ‘Send You Off’, and ‘It’s A Process’. Bemis has been quite vague on what the future of the band holds, indicating both that this could be a fitting end for the band, but also that Say Anything may make music and perform live again. [AB]

SHARPTOOTH

‘TBC’

(TBC)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

If you’ve ever been looking for a hardcore band that loves to throw in a few dinosaur references where they can, look no further. Sharptooth (yes, named after the T-Rex from The Land Before Time) haven’t had a chance to come and get their claws into the UK just yet, but their debut album ‘Clever Girl’ certainly saw them stomp their way across the US and the Vans Warped Tour.

Vocalist Lauren Kashan has said on an Instagram story video or two that the band are working on its follow-up, though at what stage they’re at right now isn’t clear. We’re certain it’s going to drop in the next few months though, and it’s going to offer us even more dinosaur references along with more confronting and important political and social commentary. [ZR]

SLIPKNOT

‘TBC’

(Roadrunner Records)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Amidst contrasting updates on the status of the Iowan’s sixth album, October saw the release of ‘All Out Life’. The track not only reached over 3 million YouTube views in 24 hours, it also revisited the heavier spectrum of the group’s output. Bursting with galloping riffs, attacking drums, and powerful screams, ‘All Out Life’ demanded that we pay attention to the group.

With the brutality of the track sitting between their self-titled debut and career defining ‘Iowa’, the direction of the upcoming release looks to be steeped in carnage. No official date has been set, but considering the recent announcement of a 2019 tour starting in June, it’s looking like a summer release for the record to promote the tour. [DT]

SUM 41

‘TBC’

(TBC)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

It’s been two years since Sum 41 released ’13 Voices’, their sixth studio album and first since the return of guitarist Dave Baksh, who departed the band in 2006. The Canadian pop-punk veterans have taken no breaks, playing every festival imaginable, while also celebrating the arrival of bassist Jason “Cone” McCaslin‘s second child.

As if that wasn’t enough, back in July we were treated to an update from vocalist Deryck Whibley explaining what the future holds for the Ontario natives, which included the revelation that they have been writing new material with the hopes of a release in the new year. Not much has been revealed since then, but new material from Sum 41 can only be a good thing. [AB]

VENOM PRISON

‘TBC’

(Prosthetic Records)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

If you like your music really bloody heavy then fear not, 2019 is going to deliver. Well, more specifically, British death metal troupe Venom Prison are going to deliver. The band have confirmed on their social accounts over the past few months that album number two is definitely in the works.

Considering the astounding acclaim and recognition that the heavy hitters got off the back of 2016’s gnarly effort ‘Animus’, the bar is admittedly set pretty high. Still, if you think that Venom Prison aren’t going to no only pass that bar but also annihilate it with its follow-up then you’re being silly. [ZR]

VUKOVI

‘TBC’

(LAB Records)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

After some downtime in 2018, it looks like Scottish alternative rockers Vukovi are gearing up to get back at it again, confirming that their second album and follow-up to 2017’s self-titled debut is all good to go. But, the end of the year did confirm they’re currently down from being a four-piece to a duo, though it’s uncertain as to why drummer Colin Irving isn’t in the picture anymore.

Still, 2019 already looks like it’s going to go off with a bang for them, having already completely sold out their three-date UK headliner in January. They’ve also changed their mainly yellow aesthetic of their last album cycle to a dark orange across their social media. In short, Vukovi album number two is mere weeks away. [ZR]

WHILE SHE SLEEPS

‘So What?’

(Sleep Brothers)

RELEASE DATE: March 1st

Surprisingly for a small city, Sheffield seems to be able to keep churning out new alternative talent every year, and While She Sleeps‘ energetic metalcore hit new heights with the excellent ‘You Are We’. Featuring a solid line-up with only a singular original member missing and a string of headline tours across the globe, the band have always shown their limitless energy and creativity.

Earlier this year, they announced their upcoming album ‘So What?’, and have released the exciting singles ‘Anti-Social’ and ‘Haunt Me’ which carry on where the left off. If this delivers as much as their previous releases, it is bound to be a riot. [RC]

WAGE WAR

‘TBC’

(Fearless Records)

RELEASE DATE: TBC

Ocala metalcore outfit Wage War are a couple albums deep into their so far solid career, combining bruising riffage with staunching vocals and pit-worthy breakdowns, providing metal that you can really get your fists into.

Their last release, 2017’s ‘Deadweight’, saw them mature their already growling sound, morphing into one of the best heavy acts in the scene with a selection of deadly tracks to their name. As 2019 approaches, the band are surely set to be dropping some new meat-slapping bruisers within the next few months, and another album from the five-piece is a truly tasty prospect. [DyT]

Written by Joe Bates [JB], Alastair Bowie [AB], Ryan Cherry [RC], Lottie Cook [LC], Neil Criddle [NC], Jacob Enyon [JE], Zach Redrup [ZR], Hannah Strong [HS], Damon Taylor [DT], Dylan Tuck [DyT], Carlos Zeleya [CZ]