2017 could be a memorable turn-back-the-clock type of year for classic rock and metal fans everywhere as four 80’s metal giants are returning to the studio with plans for 2017 album releases.
Judas Priest, Warrant, Quiet Riot and Danzig are all planning to release new records with their revitalized lineups over the course of the year.
Priest will be releasing their first album since 2014 when they dropped “Redeemer of Souls”, the only album that they have made since 2008. While it is not the original lineup, frontman Rob Halford and the rest of the gang that has been there since 1989 will be featured on the record.
Glen Danzig will be releasing his 11th album since leaving the legendary punk rock band, The Misfits. His latest endeavor does not have a name attached to it just yet, but it will drop at some point this May. This will be the group’s first album with original content since 2010 when they released “Deth Red Sabaoth”. The group did release an album in 2015 called “Skeletons,” but it only featured covers of songs from the 60’s-80’s.
The Quiet Riot lineup of 2017 will look nothing like the Quiet Riot lineup of old. While two members of their mid-80’s lineup will be playing on their new tracks–drummer Frankie Banali and bassist Chuck Wright–the new album titled “Road Rage” will feature guitarist Alex Grossi, who has been with the group since 2004, and newcomer vocalist James Durbin, a finalist of American Idol season 10.
The album’s original release date was scheduled to be April 21st, but the band wants to re-record vocal tracks so Durbin, who was brought into the fold on March 4, is featured on the album. Singer Seann Nicole sang on the record initially but was ousted from the band after playing just five shows with the group.
The album is expected to be ready by the end of the summer, according to Loudwire.com.
Riot’s hair metal counterpart Warrant will be dropping their new album “Louder, Harder, Faster” on May 12th. This will be the group’s second studio album with frontman Robert Mason at the helm. The rest of the band’s original members, including guitarists Joey Allen and Erik Turner, drummer Steven Sweet and bassist Jerry Dixon, will also be present on the album, providing some continuity for the band whose first album, “Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinkin’ Rich” is turning 28 years old this year.
With other big time rock groups like from all different generations like Deep Purple, Alice in Chains and System of a Down also releasing albums this year, 2017 promises to be a major for rock fans of all generations. They have a lot to live up to after a fantastic 2016 in the rock world.
