2012 did not end with the bang promised by the Mayans. Fortunately, 2013 is gearing up to be the year of Heavy Metal. Some of the industry's oldest and newest legends are conjuring some tunes to help nurse the no-apocalypse blues. Here are the ten metal albums likely to get the most attention in 2013.
10. Killswitch Engage Disarm the Descent Release: Spring In 2012, the band parted ways with frontman Howard Jones and reunited with original frontman Jesse Leach, who left the band in 2002. "Truth be told, Jesse blew us away in auditions; the room seemed charged with electricity." The band's new album promises to please fans. 9. Black Veil Brides The Wretched and the Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones Release: January Do you miss the concept album days of ol' King Diamond? Or Iron Maiden's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, a worthy partial concept album? Good -- this time they're going all the way through with the concept album. Not only does the cover art look like something from Walt Disney's nightmare, but it also sets the tone for a story that's sure to keep you up at night. 8. Alice in Chains Hollow Release: Spring Oh how we miss the days of Grunge Metal, when showering was frowned upon and greasy heroin-addicted rockers were sexy. In 2009, Alice in Chains released an album 14 years in the making and initiated a new chapter for the band. Now, with the release of their newest venture, the band may just have accomplished the impossible: resurrection. 7. Korn Title: TBA Release: TBA Much like many of their metal peers, the guys spent a majority of last year working on side projects - Love and Death and J Devil or J Dub or J something or other - but it's hard to escape the Kornfield. In a recent interview with Revolver, James "Munky" Shaffer said that the band had recorded 15 new songs and "have a big 2013 planned for our fans, for ourselves, and for our families."