Best New Music 2026 Edition

Holding this space for the eventual new Samael and Moonspell albums set to come out later this year. It doesn't matter how good they are or arent, they'll still be amazing! Also, with luck, we'll get a new Mastodon album.
 
It will be good to get new music from Anthrax, Running wild and Beast in black, hope the new Ayreon come this year as well
 
New albums from Chez Kane (Reckless out 27 March on Frontiers), Crashdïet (TBA), Hardcore Superstar (TBA), Stryper and The Cruel Intentions this year.

The 69 Eyes just released a single in collaboration with Steve Stevens:


Overall I'm thinking 2026 is going to be a GREAT year in music for me personally, and 2025 wasn't bad.
 
Maturin said:
New albums from Chez Kane (Reckless out 27 March on Frontiers), Crashdïet (TBA), Hardcore Superstar (TBA), Stryper and The Cruel Intentions this year.

The 69 Eyes just released a single in collaboration with Steve Stevens:


Overall I'm thinking 2026 is going to be a GREAT year in music for me personally, and 2025 wasn't bad.
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The new bands all sound great (the instruments) there is a lot of great players great melodies but there is a lack of good singers ( for me) i dont like them. Beast in black powerwolf sabbaton and many others maybe im used to the classics heavy metal rock and powermetal singers but thats because i dont listen new music i think. I try but for me are boring. Youngblud another one he sings ok but tthat is not like 90s or 80s singer even if all the media says that.
 
dickinson1978 said:
The new bands all sound great (the instruments) there is a lot of great players great melodies but there is a lack of good singers ( for me) i dont like them. Beast in black powerwolf sabbaton and many others maybe im used to the classics heavy metal rock and powermetal singers but thats because i dont listen new music i think. I try but for me are boring.
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Beast in Black are super exciting - even if I wasn't a fan of their latest album at all, From Hell With Love is among the best albums I heard in the 2010s.

Also currently giving Alter Bridge's new self-titled album that released a couple of days ago its first listen. It's a lot better than I thought it would be
 
Abas said:
Beast in Black are super exciting - even if I wasn't a fan of their latest album at all, From Hell With Love is among the best albums I heard in the 2010s.

Also currently giving Alter Bridge's new self-titled album that released a couple of days ago its first listen. It's a lot better than I thought it would be
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Well its just my opinon i think 80s or 90s singers has more personality. Beast in black singer sings really well but dont know something is missing there to be great.
 
Abas said:
Singer is bald - maybe personality is in the hair?
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Im not talking about how he looks its how he sounds. I mean if you compare to all this singers

Axl rose
Dave mustaine
Hetfield
Blackie lawless
Bruce dickinson
Rob halford
Kai hansen
Kiske
Deris

For me powerwolf sabaton beast in black and many others new bands sounds great but the singer for me has no "passion" in their voices. I dont know how to explain or im just from another decade
 
Frontmen/women today basically are athletes who do their best to be in top shape, to handle both the huge pressure with sosial media, all the traveling, band business and at the same take care of their voice and body with enough workout, sleep, correct food and staying hydrated. I’m sure there are some exceptions, but I just can’t remember from the top of my head. Maybe Tobias Sammet is as close to a classical frontman as the old guys in my opinion.
 
dickinson1978 said:
Im not talking about how he looks its how he sounds. I mean if you compare to all this singers

Axl rose
Dave mustaine
Hetfield
Blackie lawless
Bruce dickinson
Rob halford
Kai hansen
Kiske
Deris

For me powerwolf sabaton beast in black and many others new bands sounds great but the singer for me has no "passion" in their voices. I dont know how to explain or im just from another decade
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I think the comparison is a little unfair. But at the end of the day, there's something for everyone - even if everything isn't for everyone hahaha
 
I usually check who is headlining the festivals and judas maiden metallica and the all well known classics are still there with 2 bands airborne and powerwolf.
 
My January Fav albums are:


001-Aletheia.jpg
Wildhunt - Aletheia
Very fresh and enjoyable album from this band. I don't know if they have any more releases before. Very Good surprise.
There are many influences here Metallica, Megadeth, Mercyful Fate, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, early Flotsam and Jetsam. Good Heavy Metal.
Band to follow.
Bandcamp Link

003-Celestial - EP_2026.jpg
The Eternal - Celestial EP
Also the first time I hear a release from this band. Almost 30 min. of music mixing goth and Doom Metal but Rainbow sometimes.
Very good music with excellent guitar solos.
Vocals reminded me to the guy of Depeche Mode.
Youtube Link to the full album

005-Kreator_Krushers Of The World.jpg
Kreator - Krushers of the World
Miles Petroza did it again!!! A f***ing great album, reminded me to their best albums Extreme Aggression and Coma of Souls.
Excellent songs with Good riffs, catchy chorus, a lot of hooks, great guitar solos, and amazing drums from Ventor once again.
I think it's going to be one of the great albums of the year, no doubt.


Three enjoyable albums with different metal styles.
All of them are highly recommended.
 
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Tailgunner - Midnight Blitz


Definitely one of the best classic sounding new bands. Album of the year so far for me, no fillers(!), every song is memorable and high quality - and that's not easy. Pure 80s/90s influence in their sound (from Maiden to Priest to HammerFall), love it. I wish their album covers were more creative.

Melodic stuff, anthemic parts, amazing melancholic sound, ballad, longer epic as a closer, catchy stuff, fast playing, cool solos, strong vocals... it has everything. Their debut album has 5 songs in a row which are pure bangers, this one has 10! I'm very impressed, they have talent for songwriting.

My review:
the title track - very memorable and classic title track/opener, as it should be. Pure anthem, that chorus, solos(!) and riffs. Great outro with the drumming. Instant hit.

Tears In Rain - the melancholic vibe is so good, the whole song, verses and melodies - but that chorus is pure gold, I love it, so effective. Strong solos (or is it one?). A good choice to follow the opener.

Follow Me In Death - fast tempo again; the intro melody is Bruce solo, the verses are power metal, a bit different chorus (the melodic approach, still power metal) but it works perfectly for the song, the harmony after the solos is also Maiden-esque. The catchiness continue.

Dead Until Dark - power metal melodies, overall this song is the ''commercial song'' sound, Helloween-esque, but the very good chorus has a certain early 2000s vibe which is great. Great solos.

Barren Lands And Seas Of Red - the other epic (classic 80s). Brutal verse riff, one of the best verses/drumming, again power metal-esque overall, another great and melodic chorus (not just repeats of the title, for all songs!), more and classy solos, the 'oh-ohs' fit perfectly, different melodies and riffs (some heavier), interesting end of the song. What a song.

*the original version apparently was 13 minutes long, but they changed it for the album to 6 minutes. Maybe some calm and acoustic parts? It's perfect.

War In Heaven - effective ballad with keys. Strong verses, the chorus works for the song, fitting longer solo.

Blood Sacrifice - awesome fast riffs, the verses are pure Halford solo/Priest, effective and different approach to the chorus, more guitar fills (yes!), solos trademark, the aggressive outro is so fitting and Priest vibe too. Now that's how you write a short rocker.

Night Raids - ancient sounds for an intro, really cool, I thought the whole song will be with such, but nope. Another power metal sound (but more like classic fast metal), solid verses (the different verses before the instrumental section are pure gold), very catchy chorus, melodic solos, great harmony. Superb stuff.

Eye Of The Storm - pure early 2000s rock approach, love it, it sounds so nostalgic. Yet another great melodic riff, calm verses, melancholic chorus (I love it), Adrian-esque solo and a very Maiden-esque Reunion harmony.

Eulogy - the longer song as a closer, starts calm, ends calm - that's the way! The intro harmony and build-up are classy, power metal verses, great chorus, pure shredding, great drumming, the 'oh-ohs' part (like in some other songs), the Maiden-esque melody as a longer outro... what's not to like! A worthy closer.

Highly recommended! What an album, a new favorite of mine. Tbh, such stuff is all I want from Bruce solo, not all songs or that fast ofc.
 
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