The hangovers have departed and the last strains of Auld Lang Syne have drifted away on a frosty breeze, so now we're left with the inevitable realisation that a change of year doesn’t guarantee everlasting happiness. Don't despair though, because this particular fresh start promises great new music for those of you who kneel at the altar of rock 'n' roll. So, without further ado, here are albums and tours to banish those blues and make 2015 a killer 12 months.
New Music
Halestorm - 'Into The Wild Life'
After two records of radio-friendly pop metal, Halestorm are amping up the heaviness on album number three and potentially flicking two fingers at commercial success. “It’s not broken, but we made this record a little selfishly for us. This will either be the best or worst decision we ever made. It’s a risk, but isn’t that what music is all about?” singer Lzzy Hale told Classic Rock magazine. One listen to new tracks I Like It Heavy and Mayhem suggests it isn't a gamble. The fiery cuts rock like vengeful bastards and look set to cement Lzzy's position as the most potent female rock vocalist of her generation. Catch them debuting new material on their UK tour this March before 'Into The Wild life' arrives in April.
DefLeppard
The Sheffield superstars have fortunately ditched plans for an EP after some fruitful writing sessions. By stripping away commercial pressures and allowing their creativity to blossom, 15 new songs were bashed out in double quick time for a group known for recording studio procrastination, culminating in an album's worth of melodic hard rock that is provisionally slated for a late spring release.
Blackberry Smoke - ‘Holding All The Roses’
These super cool Georgian gents have been thrilling UK audiences with their recent live shows, and this February will satisfy our need for more hip-swinging grooves with their fourth album, 'Holding All The Roses'. Bruce Springsteen producer Brendan O'Brien is in the hot seat, with the band having crafted a collection of cuts they can't wait for us to hear. “It’s a rock ‘n’ roll record for sure, but there are a couple of very southern songs, there’s a couple of laid-back acoustic-type songs,” frontman Charlie Starr told Classic Rock. “It’s a good album, it’s a complete album. I’m proud of it.”
Bryan Adams
Although his 'Reckless' anniversary shows proved Adams can still belt out gutsy blue collar rock in a live setting, his albums have lacked that passion and power for decades. Hopefully that's set to change as the Canadian is currently working with long time co-writer Jim Vallance, and producer Jeff Lynne of ELO, and isn't shy of talking up the results. “At the rate I’m working with Jeff, this record we’re making together is going to be the best record I’ve ever made. I say that with great trepidation, because I know it’s not done yet. But so far, the six tracks we’ve done, they’re just blinding,” he told Ultimate Classic Rock.
RichieSambora and Orianthi
Ever since jamming at a charity show in Hawaii, the former Bon Jovi man and Australian guitar star have been inseparable. With their forthcoming debut release being described by Sambora as sounding like 'Fleetwood Mac on steroids', we expect big things from this pair. After all, he was the most talented member of his former band, as well as being, for my money, a better singer than a certain Jon Bon Jovi. Former Alice Cooper cohort Orianthi has some great solo records to her name, is a mesmerising guitarist and impressive vocalist. This could be dynamite.
Scorpions
The metal legends have shelved retirement plans and will release 'Return To Forever' - an album comprising older ideas that have been reworked - on February 20. "We found songs mainly from the early ‘80s, 'Blackout' and 'Love At First Sting' days, when many people consider our most creative and best time,” guitarist Matthias Jabs told Blabbermouth. In July they'll also be headlining the Main Stage on the Saturday night of Team Rock's inaugural festival - Ramblin' Man Fair - at Mote Park, Kent. This could well be one of their final British gigs, if not their last, so grab a ticket and prepare to be rocked like a hurricane one last time.
Soto
Former Talisman and current W.E.T vocalist Jeff Scott Soto is back with a new band and his heaviest album for years, marrying classic hard rock and metal wallop with bruising modern dynamics and furious lyrics. ''The past five or more years have propelled me a plethora of anger and frustration, I'm actually quite pissed off about a lot of things. Soto is my outlet to release some of this pent up emotion.'' he said. Due for at the end of January, check out first single The Fall for proof of its primal rage.
The Winery Dogs
More a band than self-indulgent side project, their cracking debut album sent the rock community wild due to its impressive mixture of dizzying musical chops and sublime song writing. With that success under their belts and an audience that's hungry for more, Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen are determined to make this group their priority. Expect a new album and tour later this year.
Thunder
When these cheeky chaps split in 2009 we knew it wouldn't last, as they remained great friends and had too much chemistry to remain apart. Thus, a one off festival appearance morphed into a special Christmas show - followed by a tour supporting Whitesnake and Journey - and now the inevitable new album arrives on February 16 in the shape of 'Wonder Days', with a trio of UK gigs to follow in March. The tremendous title track proves they're back with a bang, and fans will love how its mixture of strident rock ‘n’ roll and soulful blues recalls their classic 1990 debut, 'Backstreet Symphony'.
Toto
Seven years after guitarist Steve Lukather said they were finished, AOR's finest return with 'XIV' on March 25 and a UK tour this May. Speaking about the new record, keyboard magician Steve Porcaro told Classic Rock that it's a belated successor to their 1982 masterpiece, ‘IV’: “We are treating this like it is Toto V, our follow-up to ‘TOTO IV’. We just want to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Be true to ourselves and make the best music we can.” In a world of doom and gloom, Toto's melodic sunshine and gleeful instrumental wizardry will surely brighten up 2015.
On The Road
AC/DC
Do we need to explain this? Given their respective ages, the gaps between tours and Malcolm Young’s retirement, this is shaping up to be the Aussie rockers’ farewell trek. Which means you have no excuse not to catch Angus and company tearing it up one last time, with tracks from their excellent new album 'Rock Or Bust' alongside stone cold classics like Highway To Hell and Back In Black.
Foo Fighters
Taking a break from his noble and entertaining attempts to educate us about music history, Dave Grohl and the gang hit the road in May for some massive stadium shows in support of their 'Sonic Highways' album. Expect the group's ready-made anthems to explode into life and unite the masses with powerhouse riffage and huge singalong hooks. Plus, with Grohl’sconnections, don't be surprised if some special guests don’t turn up to make the gigs extra special.
Fleetwood Mac
Since Christine McVie announced she'd be rejoining Fleetwood Mac, fans have been giddy about seeing the historic line-up that recorded 'Rumours' back in tandem. Even more exciting are the, er, rumours that a new album may be in the pipeline. Either way, if you like impeccably crafted transatlantic rock with sublime harmonies, these are the shows to be at.
Download Festival
With Sonisphere yet to state their intentions for 2015 and Reading and Leeds still to announce their full line-ups, Download already has rock fans salivating over appearances from Black Stone Cherry, Faith No More, Slash, Marilyn Manson and many more.
However, the big names will surely provide the weekend's highlights, with MötleyCrüe performing their final gig on British soil as their farewell tour draws to a close, Slipknot ready to bruise ears with songs from '.5: The Gray Chapter', and a rare visit from the legendary Kiss that will surely result in a typically understated performance.
But the biggest talking point is Muse headlining the Saturday night. While some have criticised their appearance in a Metallica-at-Glastonbury manner, they always deliver a spectacular show. With them and Kiss trying to out-dazzle each other, the winners will be those of you in the audience with your jaws hanging wide open.
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