31. Lord Of The Lost - Title TBC (Expected: TBC)
The German industrial metal peacocks have a “five-year plan”, according to frontman Chris Harms. “We are full of hunger to create,” he told Metal Kings, also suggesting the band had an “emotional concept” for the record. Chris is also about to release his first solo album, 1980.
32. Machine Head - Unatoned (Expected: April 25)
When Machine Head dropped megacollab These Scars Won’t Define Us in November, they let slip they were eyeing up a new album “slated for April release TBD”, later confirmed to be April 25. There’s no word on how it’ll sound, but with ex-Havok guitarist Reece Scruggs in their ranks our money is on “thrashy”.
33. Malevolence - Title TBC (Expected: TBC)
Malevolence are eyeing up 2025 for their fourth studio album. Recorded in Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles with producer Josh Wilbur, vocalist Alex Taylor admitted in a YouTube vlog that their first overseas recording session had them “pushing the boat out”.
34. Mercyful Fate - Title TBC (Expected: TBC)
The Institute won’t be the only record to feature King Diamond this year – his original band, Mercyful Fate, are planning the long-awaited follow-up to 1999’s 9. Guitarist Hank Shermann has reportedly laid down eight or nine songs, though the album won’t be out until after The Institute.
35. Mastodon - Title TBC (Expected: Late 2025)
Mastodon spent 2024 in nostalgia mode, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their Leviathan album. But it’s eyes facing forward in 2025, with the band working on the follow-up to 2021’s double album, Hushed And Grim. "[The songs are] all over the place," Brann Dailor tells Hammer. "I hear some punk rock in there, but then I hear some insane prog and I hear the heaviest version of ourselves poking its head out again. You can talk all day about what you want to do, but at the end of the day it governs itself - it pulls you where your heart is.”
36. Ministry - Title TBC (Expected: TBC)
Preparing to ride off into the sunset (again), Ministry will bring things full circle in 2025. Not only is Al Jourgensen threatening a re-recorded version of their long-disowned debut, With Sympathy, he’s also working with former bassist Paul Barker for the first time since 2003 on what he promises will be Ministry’s final album. We’ll believe that when we see it.
37. Nova Twins - Title TBC (Expected: Early 2025)
The British alt metal breakout stars have finished work on their third album. Have stellar performances at Glastonbury and Download, plus a Mercury Prize nomination, piled on the pressure? Nope. “We love it, we’re excited about it, and we believe that our audience will be too,” vocalist/guitarist Amy Love told NME.
38. Ozzy Osbourne - Title TBC (Expected: TBC)
Ozzy’s battle to get back on the road might still be ongoing, but it hasn’t dulled his appetite to create new music. In 2023, he revealed he was planning to hit the studio in 2024 to work on a follow-up to 2022’s Patient Number 9. “I want to take my time with this one, do a good rock album!” he told Hammer.
39. Satyricon - Title TBC (Expected: TBC)
After getting a taste for more experimental approaches on 2022’s Satyricon & Munch, the Norwegian black metallers are apparently heading back to more familiar ground for their 10th full-length. Maybe. “It’s gonna be a more conventional album in a way, but there’s gonna be a lot about it that is not conventional,” drummer Frost told Rauta. “The album will be very, very varied.”
40. Scars On Broadway - Title TBC (Expected: TBC)
Speaking to Hammer in October, SOAD’s Daron Malakian revealed that he’d already written and recorded the third Scars On Broadway record. “It’s heavy,” he said. “It’s my style; if you like the first two records, or anything else I’ve done, I think you’ll dig it.”
