There has been some interesting music released this year that includes re-masters, new material from established bands, and new bands that will knock your socks off. Here’s our guide for the metal lover on your list:

First up is a group from across the pond that goes by the name of Evile. I found this group with their second album, Infected Nations. After the third or fourth listening I realized why the group sounded familiar; Metallica, they sound amazingly like the good old days of Garage Days, Ride the Lightning Metallica. This year saw the release of Five Serpent’s Teeth, and they kept the sound and passion that made them appealing to me, and crafted an amazing follow-up. The nice thing about these guys is that while they list James, Kirk, and company, as well as Slayer, Exodus, Testament, and others thrash legends, as influences, but they only share a similar sound and a passion for thrash in common. The new offering has the energy and passion I loved about Infected Nations, coupled with a refined sound, and no indication of stopping anytime soon. Get this for fans of old Metallica, Exodus, Testament, Megadeth, and Slayer.

Next is the re-mastered Megadeth classic Peace Sells, But who’s Buying? 25^th Anniversary Edition. I pick this one because the re-mastering doesn’t muddy the sound by taking the edge of the high and low ends, but enhances the original sound, as well as throwing in a second disc of live material from a previously unreleased 1987 concert. The extra disc alone makes this worthwhile, but this classic album with the production values available today makes this classic a true landmark in the world of metal. Give this to that special headbanger in your life. For fans of Megadeth, Slayer, Testament, Metallica, Exodus, and Venom.

The fifth project from Within Temptation, The Unforgiving, deserves a place on any gift list. This band is a staple on the European festival scene for the last fifteen years, appealing to both the fans of Opeth, Dimmu Borjir, and Arch Enemy, as well as Evanescence, Nightwish, Epica, Theatre of Tragedy, and Lacuna Coil. With this album the band has taken another step forward with a concept album based on the comic written by Bloodrayne and Dark 48’s Steven O’Connell, and illustrated by Romano Molenaar, of Witchblade, Darkness and X-Men fame. This project uses the hard driving music and sweet vocals to experiment with other musical stylings as pop and disco, without losing the essence that makes Within Temptation, Within Temptation.

Black Veil Brides is a breath of fresh 80’s hair metal air in the world of extreme metal. Their sophomore, Set the World on Fire, embraces the power chords, make-up and hairspray of glam metal days, and mix with the riffs, aggression, and raw energy of today’s punk. This quintet of musicians is taking the U.S.A. by storm, picking up where the likes of Motley Crue, WASP, and the Ramones left off. There are European bands like Enforcer and Katana are embracing the glory days of heavy metal, but not with the success of Black Veil Brides. Pick this up for the fans of Motley Crue, WASP, Ramones, Megadeth, and anyone who like a good old fashioned guitar solo in their music.

Last is 3^rd Round Knockout brought to us by supergroup Chrome Division. Made up of Shagrath, of Dimmu Borgir, on guitar, Susperia’s Shady Blue on vocals, Bjorn Luna from  Ashes to Ashes on bass, Tony White on drums from Old Man’s Child, along with Ricky Black on guitar. These extreme musicians who are better known for their doom, death, and black metal groups are going back to their roots for a third time, and in the vein of Black Label Society, Motorhead, and AC/DC have crafted a rock and roll album worthy of the aforementioned influences. Especially notable is their version of the classic Ghost Riders in the Sky. This is for the fans of Motorhead, Black Label Society, and any of the multitudes of heavy, fun rock bands out there.

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