2021 in heavy metal music

This is a timeline documenting the events of heavy metal in the year 2021.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

List of years in heavy metal music (table)
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Events

• Wacken Open Air, Hellfest and Bloodstock Open Air are set to return this year after the 2020 editions of those festivals were cancelled, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][2][3]

Albums expected

January

Day	Artist	Album
8	Michael Schenker Group	Immortal[4]
22	The Dead Daisies	Holy Ground[5]

Artists with material in production

• The Absence[6]
• Ace Frehley[7]
• All That Remains[8]
• Anthrax[9]
• At the Gates[10]
• Behemoth[11]
• Belphegor[12]
• Blaze Bayley[13]
• Blind Guardian[14]
• Butcher Babies[15]
• Clutch[16]
• D.R.I.[17]
• Dark Angel[18]
• Deadsy – Subterfugue[19]
• Death Angel[20]
• Demolition Hammer[18]
• Destruction[21]
• Devin Townsend[22]
• Doro[23]
• Dream Theater[24]
• Ellefson[25]
• Evile[26]
• Exodus[27]
• Flotsam and Jetsam[28]
• Fozzy[29]
• Genghis Tron[30]
• Ghost[31]
• Godsmack (EP)[32]
• Helloween[33]
• Hirax[17]
• Iced Earth[34]
• Iron Maiden[35]
• Judas Priest[36][37]
• Kamelot[38]
• Kingdom Come[39]
• Kobra Paige[40]
• Kreator[41]
• L.A. Guns[42]
• Last in Line[43]
• Lizzy Borden[44]
• Malevolent Creation[45]
• Mastodon[46]
• Megadeth[47]
• Metal Church[48]
• Metallica[49]
• Moonspell[50]
• Obituary[51]
• Overkill[52]
• Papa Roach[53]
• Queensrÿche[54]
• Rage[55]
• Ratt[56]
• Ron Keel Band[57]
• Saxon[58]
• Scorpions[59]
• Skid Row – United World Rebellion: Chapter Three[60]
• Steel Panther (EP)[61]
• Stephen Pearcy[62]
• Soulfly[63]
• Suicidal Tendencies[64]
• Uriah Heep[65]
• Vio-lence (EP)[66]
• Voivod[67]
• Winger[68]
• Wolves in the Throne Room[69]
• Xentrix[70]

References

1. "Wacken Postponed Until 2021". metalunderground.com. April 16, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
2. "Hellfest XV Rescheduled For 2021". metalunderground.com. April 9, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
3. "U.K.'s BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR: 2020 Festival Canceled". Blabbermouth.net. May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
4. "MICHAEL SCHENKER's New MSG Album 'Immortal' To Feature JOE LYNN TURNER, RALF SCHEEPERS And RONNIE ROMERO". Blabbermouth.net. August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
5. "DOUG ALDRICH Says GLENN HUGHES's Addition To THE DEAD DAISIES 'Worked Out Amazing'". Blabbermouth.net. August 16, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
6. "The Absence Planning Early 2021 Release For Their New Album". ThePRP. July 17, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
7. "ACE FREHLEY's Next Collection Of Original Material Will Be Released In 2021". Blabbermouth.net. June 8, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
8. "PHIL LABONTE Wants Next ALL THAT REMAINS Album To Be Released In Early 2021". Blabbermouth.net. October 7, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
9. "ANTHRAX's SCOTT IAN Reveals His Proudest Career Achievement". Blabbermouth.net. March 30, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
10. "At The Gates Look To Have Hinted At Their New Album Title". ThePRP. July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
11. "BEHEMOTH To Release New Music In 2021". Blabbermouth.net. March 13, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
12. "Belphegor Delay New Album To 2021". ThePRP. May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
13. "BLAZE BAYLEY To Release New Studio Album In March 2021". Blabbermouth.net. January 13, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
14. "BLIND GUARDIAN's Next Album Will Be 'Another Amazing Ride,' Says HANSI KÜRSCH". Blabbermouth.net. February 15, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
15. "BUTCHER BABIES To Release New Single In September". Blabbermouth.net. August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
16. "CLUTCH Will 'Probably' Begin Recording New Album In The Winter". Blabbermouth.net. August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
17. "D.R.I. And HIRAX Announce Co-Headlining Australian Tour". metaladdicts.com. April 16, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
18. "HEATHEN Guitarist Comments On Possible Tour With DARK ANGEL, EXHORDER, DEMOLITION HAMMER, Etc". metaladdicts.com. February 12, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
19. "DEADSY To Release First Album In More Than 14 Years". Blabbermouth.net. July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
20. "Death Angel's Will Carroll Interview". metalunderground.com. April 17, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
21. "INTERVIEW: Schmier – Destruction". The Rockpit. May 8, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
22. "Devin Townsend Planning To Record New Album In 2021". ThePRP.com. October 29, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
23. "DORO Announces New Single 'Brickwall'". Blabbermouth.net. June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
24. "DREAM THEATER To Begin Work On New Studio Album In The Fall". Blabbermouth.net. August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
25. "MEGADETH's DAVID ELLEFSON Taps Members Of ANTHRAX, TWISTED SISTER, TESLA For 'No Cover' LP". Blabbermouth.net. July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
26. "Evile - Part Ways With Vocalist, Working On New Album". metalstorm.net. August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
27. "EXODUS To Enter Studio In September". Blabbermouth.net. June 18, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
28. "FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Announce Next Year's 'Demolition Of North America'". metaladdicts.com. April 24, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
29. "FOZZY Scraps '2020' Album Title, Pushes New LP Back To 2021". Blabbermouth.net. July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
30. Zach Redrup (August 10, 2020). "NEWS: Genghis Tron reunite; begin recording third album!". Dead Press!. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
31. "GHOST Will Do 'Absolutely Zero Touring In 2020,' Says TOBIAS FORGE". Blabbermouth.net. September 25, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
32. "GODSMACK Could Release Acoustic EP Next Year". Blabbermouth.net. August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
33. "HELLOWEEN: Fall 2020 European Tour Postponed To Spring 2021". Blabbermouth.net. June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
34. "ICED EARTH's JON SCHAFFER To Release His First Book". Blabbermouth.net. April 15, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
35. "Rumours Of IRON MAIDEN And JUDAS PRIEST Tour Surface Again". metaladdicts.com. April 5, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
36. "ROB HALFORD: No New JUDAS PRIEST Music In 2020". Blabbermouth.net. December 16, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
37. "JUDAS PRIEST To Re-Team With 'Firepower' Producers On Upcoming Album". Blabbermouth.net. May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
38. "TOMMY KAREVIK Says Next KAMELOT Album Will Be 'Killer'". Blabbermouth.net. August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
39. "Kingdom Come: Don't Expect New Music Before 2021". Ultimate-Guitar.com. May 21, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
40. "KOBRA AND THE LOTUS Singer Is Working On 'Bluegrass,' 'Folky' And 'Gospelish' Solo Project". Blabbermouth.net. June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
41. "IM GESPRÄCH MIT MILLE VON KREATOR". deadline-magazin.de (in German). January 20, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
42. "L.A. GUNS Feat. PHIL LEWIS, TRACII GUNS: New Single 'Let You Down' Out Now". Blabbermouth.net. May 6, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
43. "LAST IN LINE Has Already Recorded Six Songs For Third Album". Blabbermouth.net. April 26, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
44. "KNAC.COM - Features - Exclusive Interview: LIZZY BORDEN". KNAC.com. January 23, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
45. "MALEVOLENT CREATION Parts Ways With Vocalist/Guitarist LEE WOLLENSCHLAEGER And Drummer PHIL CANCILLA". Blabbermouth.net. April 21, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
46. Jon Hadusek (July 31, 2020). "Mastodon Unleash New Song "Fallen Torches", Announce Medium Rarities Collection: Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
47. "MEGADETH + LAMB OF GOD Announce 2020 North American Tour With TRIVIUM And IN FLAMES; BLABBERMOUTH.NET Presale". Blabbermouth.net. February 10, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
48. "METAL CHURCH To Begin Work On New Studio Album This Summer". Blabbermouth.net. April 28, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
49. "Lars Ulrich Says Metallica Could Record a New Album in Quarantine". MetalSucks. April 28, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
50. "MOONSPELL Parts Ways With Original Drummer MIGUEL 'MIKE' GASPAR, Prepares To Record New Album". Blabbermouth.net. July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
51. "OBITUARY Is Working On 'Monster' New Album While In Quarantine". Blabbermouth.net. August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
52. "OVERKILL Has 10 Songs Written For Next Album; April 2021 Release Targeted". Blabbermouth.net. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
53. "PAPA ROACH's Next Album Will Include 'Heavy' And 'Aggressive' Songs With 'Massive, Pummeling Riffs'". Blabbermouth.net. May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
54. "MICHAEL WILTON Says 'The Seed Has Been Sown' For QUEENSRŸCHE's Next Album". Blabbermouth.net. March 14, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
55. "RAGE Announces Two New Guitarists". Blabbermouth.net. June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
56. "STEPHEN PEARCY Says New RATT Music Won't Arrive Before 2021". Blabbermouth.net. May 1, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
57. "KNAC.COM - Features - Exclusive Interview: RON KEEL". KNAC.com. May 18, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
58. "BIFF BYFORD Says SAXON's New Album Will Be 'Heavy' And 'Quite British'-Sounding". Blabbermouth.net. March 26, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
59. "SCORPIONS 'Have A Lot Of Songs' Written For Next Studio Album". Blabbermouth.net. April 19, 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
60. "SKID ROW's RACHEL BOLAN On Post-Pandemic Concerts: 'I Think There's Gonna Be A Huge Adjustment Period'". Blabbermouth.net. May 1, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
61. "STEEL PANTHER Has Eight Or Nine New Songs Written; Band Mulls 2021 EP Release". Blabbermouth.net. July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
62. "RATT Singer STEPHEN PEARCY To Release Sixth Solo Album In 2021". Blabbermouth.net. April 20, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
63. "MAX CAVALERA Is Writing Music For Next SOULFLY Album: 'I'm Still Musically Hungry'". Blabbermouth.net. June 19, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
64. "Ben Weinman Answers if Mastodon's Brent Hinds Is Really That Weird, Explains Important Difference Between Playing in Dillinger & Suicidal Tendencies". Ultimate Guitar. July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
65. "URIAH HEEP To Record New Album In February". Blabbermouth.net. May 17, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
66. "VIO-LENCE Has 'Two Songs Done' For Comeback EP". Blabbermouth.net. August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
67. "VOIVOD: New Studio Album In The Works; Live LP To Arrive In The Fall". Blabbermouth.net. April 5, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
68. "WINGER's New Album 'Should Easily Be Out By January'". Blabbermouth.net. August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
69. "Wolves In The Throne Room Sign With Relapse Records". ThePRP. July 30, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
70. "Xentrix Announce 'Re-Infecting Europe' Tour Dates". Ultimate Guitar. August 18, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.

Preceded by 2020

Heavy Metal Timeline 2021

Succeeded by 2022