Top 5 Anticipated Albums of 2012

I realise most 2012 previews came out at the end of 2011, but we're only 2 weeks into the new year. I figured the potential of 50 weeks of new material is still worth a preview.

5. Lamb of God - Resolution
The purveyors of pure American metal return just over 2 years on from their last album Wrath, and not much has changed (except frontman Randy Blythe's embracement of Twitter, film appearances and launching a campaign for US President: http://loudwire.com/lamb-of-god-randy-blythe-campaign-u-s-president/). In all serious LOG have never been ones to comprimise and Resolution promises to be as ear crushingly brutal as all their rest. It's also set to include some clean singing from Mr Blythe. But don't let that fool you.

4. Dragonforce - (As Yet Untitled)
Since 2008's Ultra Beatdown it hasn't been an easy time for Dragonforce, mainly due to their long time vocalist and co-founder ZP Theart leaving the band in 2010. This led to auditions and finding a replacement in Marc Hudson. Whilst a few live performances have proved he's got the voice live, how will it come across on record? Will they be as cheesy? Has their novelty worn off? These questions and more (including: how many video game references will there be?) will soon be answered.

3. Municipal Waste - The Fatal Feast
Having been active in the touring circuit and busy with various side projects (check out Cannabis Corpse- bassist LandPhil's Cannibal Corpse parody) the Waste are soon to be back. Massive Aggressive took a more serious approach, in both lyrics and musicianship but with a title like The Fatal Feast it would appear their sense of humour will be shining through on album number 5.

2. Metallica - (As Yet Untitled)
Approaching 4 years since their last album (Lulu ignored) now is the perfect time for Metallica to prove they're 'still metal'. For many Death Magnetic was a step towards their former glories, if only the production qualities hadn't let them down it could have been up there with the best of them. So hopefully their 2012 release will build on that, they've shown they're as tight as ever live, so why won't this be the year that's represented on record? Just no references to dining room furniture please.

1. Black Sabbath - (As Yet Untitled)
33 years later the inventors of heavy metal are back together for good and promising a new album (whether it's released this year is yet to be confirmed). With all members being active musically for most of their lives they've certainly still got the abilities, but can they work together and will there be the same spark as there was in the 70s? They all nearly qualify for a pension and their drug intake is probably more aspirin than acid based, will the creativity still be there? Let's hope so.