So 2015 has been left behind and we look forward to 2016. There is so much anticipated for the new year it was impossible to stick it all in one feature, so we’ve picked out the key highlights across new music, festivals and of course the standard comebacks and farewells. We’re set to have a big year next year so stick with us as we bring wider and more extensive coverage of the festival circuit than we ever have done in the past. Alongside that you’ll still be getting all of the key news as it breaks as well as honest and unbiased reviews. Thanks for all the support, let’s make 2016 a big one!
Albums
Perhaps a little later than initially expected, the early stages of 2016 is set to bring us a new Deftones album. As a band they continue to be one of the most consistent in producing absolutely unstoppable albums, so building on the kind of success they had with Diamond Eyes and Koi No Yokan we’re expecting big things indeed - incredibly by the time it drops it would have been four years since we’ve heard any new Deftones material. If you’ve been listening to the That’s Not Metal podcast as well, you will have heard a certain Andy Copping waxing lyrical about some of the new material which has helped add to the hype. Alongside the new record, 2016 will stage the postponed Wembley Arena date early in June - set to be one of the live events of the year for sure.
A band who were meant to be joining Deftones at the postponed Wembley Arena show were Architects. As much of a platform this was due to be for them, despite the cancellation, all roads are leading towards 2016 being an absolutely huge one for Architects. Their last record Lost Forever // Lost Together proved to be one of the finest records released this decade and they’re expected to kick on from this in a big way. Easily one of the most exciting young British bands on the circuit at the moment.
Now for this next band, we’ve been waiting very patiently since 2012 for some new music. They are the best live band in Metal at the moment, they are of course Gojira. The tour post L’Enfant Sauvage has been extensive to say the least, but other than the odd show here and there in 2015, the band have been quietly working away on what will no doubt be another slab of brilliance from the French Metal masters.
Another album hugely anticipated in 2016 is set to come from the brilliant Letlive. When the band released The Blackest Beautiful in 2013 it quite rightly sat atop a vast majority of the ‘Album Of The Year’ lists. They are one of the most exciting bands in Heavy music at the moment, bringing a level of unpredictability frankly missing across most of the scene at the moment.
Moving more into the ‘superstar’ territory we’re also expecting some new albums from both Biffy Clyro and Radiohead. Biffy Clyro, by their standards, had a very quiet 2015 - resurfacing again right at the end to play a huge Hogmanay show at Edinburgh Castle. At this show the band unveiled a new track which alongside some photos here and there on Instagram of them in the studio has now got everyone on high alert. They’re working with Rich Costey on the new album who in the past has produced records from Muse, Death Cap For A Cutie and Frank Turner, so we’re expecting good things indeed. Radiohead have also been very quiet as of late, with Thom Yorke only really reappearing to comment on something which has particularly irked him, but all signs point towards Radiohead making a big return in 2016. The band recently released a track they had been asked to produce for the new James Bond film, which sees them at their eerie, atmospheric best. Radiohead are one of the most important bands in the history of Alternative Music, and they seem poised to take the world by storm again in 2016.
Ok let’s dedicate one last moment to speculate on when exactly we can expect new albums from Tool and Metallica. At least with the latter we know they’re in the studio at the moment. Radio silence however from Tool who will hopefully FINALLY be releasing their first new material in ten years.
Festivals
As ever the Festival circuit is set to be special in 2016, with some huge line ups already in the works we’re due another year of farewell shows, career defining performances and all the fun in between. For Room Thirteen we’re looking to make this our biggest year yet on the festival scene, as we’re looking to cover shows all over the world.
It’s impossible really to talk about the festivals in 2016 without covering Download Festival. The initial announcements triggered a small amount of negative feedback due to three repeat headliners but truth is they’re three absolute powerhouses. The fact this might well be the last opportunity you ever get to see Black Sabbath, who have this date as part of their farewell tour, should be enough to convince you to be honest. Another big announcement on the UK festival circuit will see the Red Hot Chili Peppers return to Reading & Leeds. Whilst recent output has been questionable they still have more than enough material to potentially deliver one of the sets of the year.
Outside of the UK, some of the European festivals continue to grow tenfold with Hellfest once again leading the way with a line up stacked beyond belief. Special mention also to Wacken and some of the smaller events like Be Prog! My Friend in Barcelona - the options for festivals across Europe alone is simply staggering.
Photo Credit: Danny North
Comebacks and Farewells
So every year brings a comeback or two, who can we expect in 2016? Well, we’ll be honest with you, this was all typed and ready to go and then a certain rumour surrounding Guns N’ Roses reforming with their original line up began to pick up some real steam so we had to go back to it. Early reports suggest that at the very least we’re going to get Axl, Slash and Duff involved, but there is still a heavy amount of speculation surrounding the rest of the situation. All paths seem to point towards the band headlining Coachella next year, which in itself is a festival of dreams as far as comebacks are concerned (RATM, Outkast, HOLOGRAM TUPAC?!). So whilst at this stage ‘original line up’ might be overstating it slightly, the fact Slash and Axl are back on friendly terms is exciting in itself (so long as Axl sorts himself out as well)!
Friends again!
Whilst the formation of Blink 182 2.0 did happen last year, we’re yet to see the guys make it over to the UK. With Tom Delonge departing the band and Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba stepping in, there was initial scepticism, but live reports from the US suggest it’s been a very shrewd move indeed. Hopefully we’ll get Blink 182 over to the UK at some point in 2016.
So as much as each year usually treats us to exciting comebacks, there will always be a good few farewells. We’ve already mentioned the legendary Black Sabbath who have just embarked on their farewell tour. We imagine this might actually take them in to the early part of 2017, but their shows in 2016 may well be your last opportunity to see the Godfathers of Heavy Music. Alongside Black Sabbath, another legendary band we’re set to bid farewell to are Twisted Sister. Bloodstock have landed a massive coup in having the band play their last ever UK show at the festival.
Other Notable Mentions
As we noted at the start of this piece, we’re expecting such a big 2016 it’s impossible to cover everything, but we thought we’d just use this as a chance to throw out some other notable mentions of things to look forward to in 2016. The young British Metal scene continues to expand year on year, and we’re expecting the new year to bring another substantial leap forward with this. Alongside that there are a fair few more powerhouses due to bring us new music next year including the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Megadeth and Stone Sour. As far as the Music media, and how we consume it is concerned, a special shout out too to the That’s Not Metal Podcast who have taken up their position, and ready to kick on 2016, on the frontline in the battle to bring you interesting and unbiased content - a fight we very much sympathise with.
Thank you all for your continued support!