It’s that time of the year again! I have to admit, I didn’t do the best last year. Out of the 10 I listed, three didn’t end up releasing (two back on this year’s list). And, out of the ones that were, only two made it onto our top albums of the year list! So, I’ve decided to add a few more this year in the hope that I do better. Join me in checking out some of the most anticipated albums of 2024. And, if you have any others, please let us know!
Judas Priest: Invincible Shield – March 8th
The heavy metal godfathers have been on a fantastic run of form with their releases. Heck, pretty much all four of the albums the band have released since the return of Rob have been amazing. This will be their first album in almost six years to the day. If it lives up Firepower or Redeemer of Souls, we’ll have another classic on our hands! And, if the two singles released so far are anything to go by, it very well could do! I love that it brings together so much of their different sounds, too, from their early stuff to Painkiller to Turbo to their more recent stuff. They’re not exactly getting any younger, and this very much has a culmination feel to it. Safe to say we here are excited!
Blackberry Smoke: Be Right Here – February 14th
We are very familiar with this band here at Overtone. Not only did we see and review them at The Long Road earlier this year, but I’ve been keeping up with their singles through out YouTube channel, as seen below. I LOVE this band, and couldn’t be more excited for the release of their new album. No matter what, it’s impossible not to have a good time listening to the band.
All three singles have been excellent so far. And with only seven more tracks left from the whole album, I have little doubt that they’ll be just as good! Southern rock has really been on an upwards trend as of late, and it is in large part thanks to bands like Blackberry Smoke. Roll on February!
While She Sleeps: Self Hell – March 15th
Coming off not only the success of their previous album, the massive Sleep Society, but also their HUGE headlining show at Alexandra Palace back in September, the sky is the limit for WSS all of a sudden. I have to admit that, while I’m not the band’s biggest fan, some of their most recent stuff has been really impressing me, and I can’t wait to hear what they come out with when they have all this momentum behind them. If the two excellent singles are anything to go by, we’re in for something special with this one! I’ve not stopped listening to the one below since it got released!
Bruce Dickinson: The Mandrake Project – March 1st
It’s been almost two decades since the Iron Maiden frontman’s last solo album. And, to say that the anticipation and hype for this album is big would be rather the understatement. The man has booked a pretty huge tour already to support it and I’m seeing his name everywhere. And, honestly, when the music sounds as good as the track below, it’s not hard to understand why!
More doomier, darker and heavier than much of his other work, Maiden or solo, it’s got fans eager to hear the rest of what the album has in store. Hopefully it continues to give us more of a new sound, as after two decades back in Maiden, their albums have been good but pretty similar. It remains to be seen what will happen to the metal pioneers while Bruce does solo stuff, but for now all I care about is hearing this album and seeing him at Graspop!
Green Day: Saviors – January 19th
The pop-punk gods have been rather up and down when it comes to releases, as of late. Their fans, me included, thought 2016’s Revolution Radio had gotten the band back on track after the awful Uno, Dos, Tre trilogy. However, then they returned in 2020 to make that year even worse with the dreadful pop album, Father of All (Motherfuckers). However, all the singles so far at least point to this album being a step back in the right direction. The band have rather perfectly described it as a cross between Dookie and American Idiot, and if the whole album sounds like that I am more than down! The singles have been great and I cannot wait to hear what one of the biggest bands in the world have in store for us this time. Please be good 🤞
Ward XVI: TBA
A return from last year’s list, this one seems a lot more hopeful this time around after an incredibly successful crowdfund campaign. I am just as hyped for this album as I was this time last year, too. As explained in the previous article, it’s the third part in their storied trilogy, and looks to be their most ambitious yet in terms of sound, ideas and (most likely) stageshow. I adore this band and have no doubt they will knock it out of the park again with this release. I’m just anxiously awaiting a date, now!
Anthrax: TBA
Man, this album has been a long time coming! The thrash legend’s last album, For All Kings, will be turning eight next year. Belladonna has been back in the band for well over a decade at this point and the band have put out two incredible albums since… but that isn’t enough! This album has been rumoured and teased for a while now, with the latest being a studio picture of the band recording something with our lord and saviour himself, Dave Grohl. It’s a collaboration I never knew I needed, but am now desperate to hear!
If this release is anything like their previous two, it will be another incredible addition to their discography. Much like with Ward XVI, we’re now just rather impatiently waiting for a release date!
Shane Smith & The Saints: Norther – March 1st
A band that I have become rather obsessed with since first checking them out ahead of the Long Road festival this year. We even had the chance to speak to him then and he touched on them getting new music ready to release. So, for it to finally have been announced last month, I was over the moon! The folky, Americana/country band are phenomenal, and have a really unique sound that I can’t wait to hear more of. The singles this year so far have been amazing, and whether they make it onto the album or not, it’s a very good indicator that this album is bound to be… well… very good! March can’t come soon enough!
Sum 41: Heaven :x: Hell – March 23rd
A bittersweet entry now. This release is set to be the pop-punk legend’s final album. Afterwards, they are following it up with a tour and then are calling it a day. As sad as that is, being a massive fan of the band, their last album was awesome, and if they can go out on a similar bang, I can’t exactly complain! And, plus, this lead single is AWESOME. While it is sad that such a great band is coming to a close, it also sounds like Deryck is wanting to continue on after with a different project so who knows, in a year or two, his solo stuff may make this list!
These Wicked Rivers: Force of Nature – March 1st
March 1st seems to be shaping up to be one hell of a day, doesn’t it! Local lads now, and a band that are set to have a HUGE 2024, in large part due to this release. Having recently been the first signees to Fat Earth records, this album is shaping up to be fantastic in terms of sound and significance. From what I’ve heard so far it’s going to be excellent, and ‘honestly the push up the music world couldn’t happen to a nicer group of guys. I cannot wait to hear the rest of this album, and I really think it will make them step up to the Massive Wagons/Those Damn Crows level of big.
Cody Jinks: CHANGE THE GAME – March 22nd
Another release that was on our list last year, but this one at least has a confirmed release date and a single! One of my favourite country artists, I haven’t had the chance to ever review any of his stuff, and that is finally set to change at the end of March. He’s one of my favourite vocalists and lyricists around today, and I cannot wait to hear what he comes up with on this release. If this single is anything to go by, we’re set for another amazing album!
Chevelle: TBA
Another band that are heavy on the rumour mill for a 2024 release. I for one have been impatiently waiting for this ever since the duo put out one of the best albums of 2021. They don’t get anywhere near as much recognition as they deserve, at least in the UK, for how incredible the band are and how much they have evolved their sound over time. I loved NIRATIAS and still play it a lot to this day, but am also certain the band will continue to evolve with another release. And I for one cannot wait to here where it goes. Hopefully we get a release date soon and a single, as I’ve been waiting for this a while!
The Dead South: Chains & Stakes – February 9th
The folk/bluegrass band are set to return with their first post-pandemic album at the start of Feb. While the band rarely deviate from their core sound, when it’s this good I honestly don’t care. The two singles released this year (which I assume will make it onto the album) are just as good as anything else they’ve done. It somehow feels both modern and traditional at the same time; truly unique and interesting. If it continues to be anything like their last few albums, it’ll surely be something special!
Armaranthe: The Catalyst – February 23rd
The Swedish symphonic metal band are set to return with their seventh studio album at the end of February. If the three singles we’ve had this year are any indicator, the albums is going to be phenomenal. All three are great and demonstrate that the band are very much at the top of their game and firing on all cylinders right now. They are very much leading the charge when it comes to newer symphonic metal bands, and this release has the potential to put the band towards the front of the pack overall, too. I cannot wait for the album, and I’ve really gotten into the band the last couple of years or so!
Bob Vylan: Humble as the Sun – April 5th
Now, this one is a bit of a controversial one, as I personally can more than happily wait and never listen to this album. However, I know that there is a LOT of buzz around him, surprisingly so in the UK rock scene too, so it must make this list. I’ve heard he is worth a watch live too, so will generally reserve my judgement until I’ve seen him at a festival or something. Don’t get me wrong, there are a couple of good riffs in the singles and I don’t mind some of the lyrics. However, it’s not really my thing, overall. Still, I’m curious to see what this album does for him, as it could catapult him to superstardom!
Satyricon: TBA – May
Regular readers of this site will know that I’m a bit fussy when it comes to black metal. However, Satyricon have always been a band that I enjoy and interest me. And, the fact that we won’t have had a proper studio album from the band in seven years by the time of its release is rather insane. We haven’t even gotten a single released yet, just the fact that it’s apparently coming in May. But, if it’s anything like their last stuff, it will be awesome and well worth the wait!
Tool: TBA
I know, it’s risky putting this band on here. It took them 13 years to put out their last release. However, the majority of the band have said that they do not want to wait that long to put out new music, and have even teased going back into the studio recently. They are one of my favourite bands, and I would LOVE to hear new music by the time I see them at Graspop in June. While it may be wishful thinking, it’s always a never say never sort of thing with Tool. If nothing is as far as announced by this time next year, I promise I shall leave them off the 2025 list!
Dream Theater: TBA
Another album that is not yet announced, yet in almost Schrodinger fashion is somehow more and less likely to happen than Tool. While nothing has been announced, this band also work a fair bit faster than the other and have a much steadier album output. However, this album is essentially being willed into existence by fans excited that original drummer Mike Portnoy is back with them. Their last studio album was back in 2021, so given their track record of consistently putting out albums every two/three years, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if we get something from them in the next 12 months. And I for one would be more than down, now that arguably the best member of the band has returned!
The Outlaw Orchestra: La Familia – TBA
I was already pretty hyped for this album as I’m a big fan, but got even more-so when I filmed the reaction video down below. The band are honestly one of the most hard working, nicest trio in the UK, and their music has been far too underappreciated so far. Hopefully that’s all set to change with this new release, and if their lead single is anything to go by, it most certainly will! While no release date has been announced yet, I believe the band are looking towards the summer. And I’m sure we here at Overtone will keep you regularly updated with reaction videos as the songs drip out, too! Whether the whole album stays as dark and metal-leaning as ‘Holy Ground’ or lightens up more like their old stuff, I can’t wait and am sure it will be another fantastic release!
The Karma Effect: Promised Land – May 3rd
This band are suddenly everywhere. Fresh off supporting These Wicked Rivers on their UK tour, they are set to also play with Bad Touch on their tour in Feb. They have very much rode the wave of their impressive, very well received self-titled album last year, growing considerably and have been touring a lot in support of it. Meanwhile, a very successful crowdfunder made this coming album a possibility. There is no telling how big they could get from it. If the track below is anything to go by, we’re in for one of the best sleaze releases in years. Excited is an understatement at this point!
And there we have it, folks. What albums are you looking forward to in 2024? Let us know over on our social medias. And, if you are looking forward to any of these, keep an eye out as we’re bound to review them all!