Foo Fighters share powerful new song 'Waiting on a War'
The latest taster of album no.10 'Medicine at Midnight'
Foo Fighters have marked Dave Grohl’s 52nd birthday today (14th January) by sharing new ‘Medicine at Midnight’ track ‘Waiting on a War.’
Starting melodic and acoustic driven with lovely orchestral flourishes complimenting Dave’s voice, 'Waiting on a War' soon grows in intensity for the final minute and evolves into a trademark Foo Fighters anthem.
Thematically, the song is very personal to Dave, as he explains: “As a child growing up in the suburbs of Washington DC, I was always afraid of war. I had nightmares of missiles in the sky and soldiers in my backyard, most likely brought upon by the political tension of the early 1980’s and my proximity to the Nation’s Capitol. My youth was spent under the dark cloud of a hopeless future.
“Last fall, as I was driving my 11 year old daughter to school, she turned to me and asked, ‘Daddy, is there going to be a war?’ My heart sank in my chest as I looked into her innocent eyes, because I realized that she was now living under that same dark cloud of a hopeless future that I had felt 40 years ago.
“I wrote 'Waiting On a War' that day.
“Everyday waiting for the sky to fall. Is there more to this than that? Is there more to this than just waiting on a war? Because I need more. We all do.
“This song was written for my daughter, Harper, who deserves a future, just as every child does.”
Listen to Foo Fighters’ ‘Waiting on a War’:
Following in the footsteps of the barnstorming ‘No Son of Mine’ and the Planet Rock playlisted banger ‘Shame Shame’, ‘Waiting on a War’ is the third offshoot from Foo Fighters’ tenth studio album ‘Medicine at Midnight’, which lands on Friday 5th February 2021.
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Prouduced by Greg Kurstin and Foo Fighters, engineered by Darrell Thorp and mixed by Mark “Spike” Stent, 'Medicine at Midnight' packs the following nine songs into 37 minutes:
1) Making a Fire
2) Shame Shame
3) Cloudspotter
4) Waiting on a War
5) Medicine at Midnight
6) No Son of Mine
7) Holding Poison
8) Chasing Birds
9) Love Dies Young
41 rock and metal albums released in 2021:
Alice Cooper – ‘Detroit Stories’
Shock rock legend and Planet Rock DJ extraordinaire Alice Cooper will release his musical homage to his hometown, 'Detroit Stories', on Friday 26th February 2021. Following in the footsteps of 2019's 'Breadcrumbs EP', Alice's 21st studio album sees him unite with producer Bob Ezrin in Detroit with their Detroit friends to record 'Detroit Stories' and celebrate the Golden Era of Detroit rock. Judging by the upbeat and decidedly pop-tinged 'Our Love Will Change The World' – a track Alice says is "one of the oddest songs I've ever done" – expect one or two musical curveballs on 'Detroit Stories'.
Foo Fighters – ‘Medicine at Midnight’
Foo Fighters are primed release their tenth studio album 'Medicine at Midnight' on Friday 5th February 2021. Clocking in at just 37 minutes, the record is the easily shortest of Foo Fighters' distinguished quarter-of-a-century career, however if Planet Rock A-listed single 'Shame Shame' is anything to go by, 'Medicine at Midnight' will be oozing quality throughout those nine succinct tracks. Expect all killer and absolutely no filler.
The Pretty Reckless – ‘Death By Rock and Roll’
Taylor Momsen and co. have confirmed their fourth studio album 'Death By Rock and Roll' will arrive on Friday 12th February 2021. Penned by Taylor and lead guitarist Ben Phillips, the 12-track album boasts the Planet Rock playlisted lead single; the intensely autobiographical rock blockbuster '25'. With its sweeping orchestral strings, powerhouse vocals from Taylor and ominous piano plonks, musically '25' sounds like it could be a James Bond theme song. Hopefully the rest of the album is similarly epic.
Mason Hill – ‘Against The Wall’
The fresh-faced Scottish rockers' long-gestating debut album finally sees the light of day on Friday 5th March 2021. Recorded in Glasgow and New York with Chris Sheldon (Biffy Clyro, The Foo Fighters) on mixing duties, the album boasts the singles 'Find My Way' and the Planet Rock playlisted 'Against The Wall', and singer Scott Taylor couldn't be more excited about its release. He enthuses: "Our debut album Against The Wall is the culmination of 5 years of literal blood, sweat, tears and everything in between! The whole process has been beset by about everything known to man but we've finally prevailed and couldn't be happier."
Greta Van Fleet – ‘The Battle at Garden's Gate’
Released on Friday 16th April 2021, 'The Battle at Garden's Gate' is the eagerly awaited follow-up to The Frankenmuth rockers' October 2018 debut album 'Anthem of The Peaceful Army'. Helmed by Foo Fighters producer Greg Kurstin, the sprawling seven-minute single 'Age of Machine' served as a nice aperitif for the album which Greta Van Fleet have vowed is "dynamic", "reflective of the world" and packed with lyrics "telling ancient tales with a contemporary application." Intriguing stuff.
Saxon – ‘Inspirations’
NWOBHM torchbearers Saxon will unleash their inaugural covers record and 23rd studio album in total, 'Inspirations', on Friday 19th March 2021. Recorded in the grand surroundings of Brockfield Hall near York, as the title suggests, 'Inspirations' features 11 songs that inspired Saxon and moulded them into the band they are today. Seminal anthems given a unique Saxon twist include The Rolling Stones' 'Paint It Black', Thin Lizzy's 'The Rocker', 'Motörhead's 'Bomber', AC/DC's 'Problem Child', Black Sabbath's 'Evil Woman', Deep Purple's 'Speed King' and Led Zeppelin's 'Immigrant Song'.
Thunder – ‘All the Right Noises’
British hard rock heroes Thunder will release their thirteenth studio album 'All The Right Noises' on Friday 12th March 2021. Featuring the Brexit-bashing towering lead single 'Last One Out Turn Off The Lights', 'All the Right Noises' is described as "a return to the full-throttle sound" of Thunder. Completed in March 2020 but put on the backburner due to the coronavirus pandemic, guitarist Luke Morley says of 'All the Right Noises': "All the songs were written and recorded pre-COVID. But it is interesting how if you look at some of the tracks through the prism of COVID they still make a lot of sense."
Ricky Warwick – ‘When Life Was Hard And Fast’
Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders vocalist Ricky Warwick has drafted in big-name special guests Andy Taylor (Duran Duran and Power Station) Luke Morley (Thunder), Joe Elliott (Def Leppard), Dizzy Reed (Guns n Roses) to appear on his fifth studio album 'When Life Was Hard And Fast'. Released on Friday 19th February 2021, Ricky says of the 11-track record: "I wanted to create an album that had the simplistic melodies of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers charged with the electric hedonistic fury of Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers. Recording the album as live as possible with a full band was requisite to achieving the desired effect".
Myles Kennedy – TBA
Alter Bridge frontman Myles Kennedy announced in September that his second solo album was "in the can." Myles' 2018 debut 'Year of the Tiger' - a concept album about the loss of his father when he was a child - was stripped back, emotionally raw and more acoustic based, however Myles has promised that this record is heavier and contains "a lot more electric guitar". Recorded over seven months during lockdown, Myles says the album has been very much shaped by "the crazy times we're living in."
The Dead Daisies – ‘Holy Ground’
With Glenn Hughes recruited to their ranks on lead vocals and bass duties in 2019 in place of the departing John Corabi and Marco Mendoza, the latest incarnation of The Dead Daisies released album no.5 'Holy Ground' on Friday 22nd January 2021. It didn't disappoint.
Mammoth WVH – TBA
Wolfgang Van Halen will release his debut album under his solo band moniker Mammoth WVH in 2021. Just like Dave Grohl on Foo Fighters' debut album, the record is set to be a one-man tour-de-force with Wolfgang playing every instrument and singing each and every note. The first taster for the record, 'Distance', was released in November and it's an intensely personal tribute to Wolfgang's late dad Eddie Van Halen, written when the guitar legend was battling cancer. A truly sublime and highly poignant track that offers a tantalising glimpse of what's to come on Wolfgang's full album.
Arc of Life – ‘Arc of Life’
Arc of Life is a fresh progressive rock supergroup centring on a trio of members from the current YES line-up - vocalist/guitarist Jon Davison, bassist/vocalist Billy Sherwood, and additional drummer Jay Schellen – together with Dave Kerzner (Sound of Contact) on keyboards, and Jimmy Haun on guitar. The band's self-titled debut album will be released on Friday 12th February 2021 and it's billed as 'creative, challenging, and ear-pleasing progressive rock music that pushes boundaries.' Billy Sherwood describes the music as, "interesting, with well-crafted songs, performed with precision and grace. All songs feature memorable melodies and lyrics that take the listener on a sonic adventure. Dynamic arrangements with peaks and valleys... it's all there."
Red Hot Chili Peppers – TBA
In an interview with Australia's Double J radio in October 2020, returning guitarist John Frusciante confirmed Red Hot Chili Peppers are gearing up to record a new album. Commenting on the band's 2020 activities, Frusciante said: "We were rehearsing for a couple months, and then the quarantine started, and then we stopped rehearsing for a couple months, and then we went back to rehearsing. We're moving ahead with what we're doing, we're writing new music." Fingers crossed the record lands in 2021!
Magnum – ‘Dance of the Black Tattoo’
Unlike Magnum's 2017 compilation album 'The Valley Of Tears – The Ballads', 'Dance of the Black Tattoo' showcases the heavier side of the band's musical soundscape. The 14-track collection features live rarities and previously unreleased radio edits that have been meticulously remastered using state-of-the-art technology to create a cohesive and deliciously heavy album. Guitarist and songwriter Tony Clarkin explains: "There have always been two aspects to Magnum: a slightly more tender and lyrical facet, but first and foremost of course our powerful, rocking side. And that's the element that Dance Of The Black Tattoo documents impressively." 'Dance of the Black Tattoo' is released on Friday 8th January 2021.
Uriah Heep – TBA
In a July 2020 interview with Sea of Tranquillity, Uriah Heep guitarist and sole constant member Mick Box said the band planned to hit the studio in early 2021 to commence work on their 25th studio album. "I think we're planning to go (into the studio) in February. Pre-production in January, recording in February. The release is all down to the record company, I've gotta be honest. We never get a shout on that. They always seem to have some reason to release it at this time, that time, whatever time, but the good news is there will be a new album, and it will be released, which is great." Uriah Heep's last album 'Living the Dream' was released in September 2018.
Ken Hensley – ‘My Book of Answers’
Former Uriah Heep multi-instrumentalist Ken Hensley completed work on his unique new album 'My Book of Answers' shortly before his untimely death on 4th November. Released on Friday 5th March 2021, 'My Book of Answers' was born out of a chance meeting at an airport with fan and poet Vladimir Emelin in 2018 and features Ken's music written around Vladimir's poems. Speaking before his passing, Ken said of the record: "It's been fascinating since day one! It's somewhat miraculous how it all came together and how it's continued to grow and develop, even through the (Covid-19) crisis, to where it's at today."
KK’s Priest – TBA
KK Downing's new band KK's Priest, which features fellow ex-Judas Priest stars Tim "Ripper" Owens and Les Binks, announced their formation in February and vowed to release an album via Explorer1 Music Group. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the band have been working "full steam ahead" on the record and it's already sounding "incredible." Tim "Ripper" Owens confirmed in September the album was in the mixing stage, so it's highly likely it will land in 2021.
Rob Zombie – ‘The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy’
The follow-up to 2016's 'The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser', Rob Zombie will release another brilliantly titled album 'The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy' on Friday 12th March 2021. The long player features 17 tracks that are quintessential Rob Zombie to the core including the caustic and proper horrorshow lead single 'The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)'. Definitely not for the fainthearted.
Steve Lukather ‘I Found The Sun Again’
Toto guitarist Steve Lukather and vocalist Joseph Williams are releasing their respective solo albums 'I Found The Sun Again' and 'Denizen Tenant' in tandem on Friday 26th February 2021. Although they're standalone releases, each band mate has made significant contributions to the other's albums and the records come complete with similar artwork. An interesting concept!
Joseph Williams ‘Denizen Tenant’
And here's the artwork to the Joseph Williams' 'Denizen Tenant', released on 26th February 2021.
Marillion – TBA
Marillion have been hard at work on the follow-up to 2016's 'FEAR' throughout 2020. Bassist Pete Trewavas says the record is sounding "very positive", while guitarist Steve Rothery claims the material is "diverse in terms of the styles." Vocalist Steve 'H" Hogarth told fans in December that the lyrics aren't as "angry" as 'FEAR', but the record has been shaped by 2020: "I did set out deliberately to try and not write anything about the pandemic or about what it's done to all of us because I just figured that every other artist on Earth is doing that now. By the time we get this record out, even if it's not the last thing anyone wants to hear now, it certainly will be by the time we get this album out, so I was avoiding it at all costs. Having said that, I found it crept in; I just couldn't stop it. I'm writing about how I feel, what I see in the world – which is what I've always written about – so I found it creeping in against my will so there will be references in it, but I think you'll have to look for them. To make an honest statement in 2020 about anything without it creeping in would be dishonest because it's in the back of all of our minds."
Adrian Smith & Richie Kotzen – TBA
Iron Maiden axeman Adrian Smith and Winery Dogs frontman Richie Kotzen will release their eponymous debut album 'Smith/Kotzen' on Friday 26th March 2021 via BMG. Recorded on the Turks & Caicos Islands in February 2020, the album boasts nine riff-heavy tracks that were self-produced by Adrian and Richie with revered studio wizard Kevin 'Caveman' Shirley on mixing duties. Boasting the phenomenal lead single 'Taking My Chances', Adrian's Iron Maiden band mate Nicko McBrain also guests on the track 'Solar Fire.'
Michael Schenker Group – ‘Immortal’
German guitar hero Michael Schenker will release his latest MSG album 'Immortal' on Friday 29th January 2021 as part of his 50th anniversary celebrations as a musician. Alongside his core band, once again Schenker has drafted in an array of guests for the album including main vocalist Ronnie Romero, Joe Lynn Turner (who sings on two tracks), and Derek Sherinian on keys on 'Drilled To Kill'. The album was recorded at Kidroom Studio in Germany, with Michael's long-time partner Michael Voss co-producing and singing on two songs.
Wayward Sons – TBA
Led by former Little Angels and Gun frontman and current Planet Rock presenter Toby Jepson, Wayward Sons are currently hard at work on their third studio album which they're planning to release in 2021. Wayward Sons recently premiered their hard rocking and thematically weighty new single 'Even Up The Score' and if they keep up the ante, we're in for a treat when the album lands next year.
Sammy Hagar and the Circle – ‘Lockdown 2020’
Throughout quarantine in this stinker of a year, Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Vic Johnson and Jason Bonham have been keeping fans entertained by a sharing a series on virtual covers of rock classics on YouTube including The Who's 'Won't Get Fooled Again', David Bowie's 'Heroes' and a stonking rendition of AC/DC's 'Whole Lotta Rosie'. The 11-track collection of remotely recorded songs, aptly entitled 'Lockdown 2020', is being released on 8th January 2021 with a portion of proceeds going to food banks across America.
Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators – TBA
In October 2020, Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators bassist Todd Kerns broke the extremely welcome news that the follow-up to 'Living The Dream' will be arriving in 2021. He wrote on Instagram: "Lots of new music coming. New @officialalterbridge coming next month (Walk The Sky 2.0 EP). A new @officialmyleskennedy solo album in 2021 plus SMKC4 (Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators album no.4)." He added: "I know 2020 has been beyond challenging but 2021 is going to awesome eventually. At least there will be a ton of new music."
Mick Fleetwood & Friends – ‘Mick Fleetwood & Friends Celebrate the Music of Peter Green & The Early Years of Fleetwood Mac'
Released on Friday 30th April 2021, the snappily titled live album immortalises the Mick Fleetwood helmed Peter Green tribute concert at London Palladium in February 2020. Featuring guest performances from Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), and Christine McVie (Fleetwood Mac) to name but a few, the album of course takes on extra gravitas and poignancy following the sad death of Peter Green in July aged 73.
Megadeth – TBA
Megadeth have been doing an excellent job at building hype around their as-yet-untitled sixteenth studio album. First up, frontman Dave Mustaine hailed it as among his Top 5 best Megadeth albums ever, then bassist David Ellefson said it sees them "expand" their musical horizons and try "different things." In August drummer Dirk Verbeuren confirmed the "foundations" for the album are complete and it sees them traverse heavy musical realms. He said: "It's gonna be a thrash album, it's gonna be a metal album. It's heavy – there's a lot of heavy stuff." Five years on from 'Dystopia', the new record can't come soon enough.
Metallica – TBA
In November, Lars Ulrich revealed that Metallica had commenced work on their 11th studio album. "We're three, four weeks into some pretty serious writing," Lars told Rolling Stone. "And of all the s--- — pandemics, fires, politics, race problems, and just f---ing looking at the state of the world — it's so easy just to so fall into a depressive state. But writing always makes me feel enthusiastic about what's next. It's like, 'F---, there's an opportunity here to still make the best record, to still make a difference. To still do something that not even turns other people on but turns me on." Whether the follow-up to 2016's 'Hardwired... to Self-Destruct' sees the light of day in 2021 remains to be seen, however we live in hope.
Ghost – TBA
Ghost leader Tobias Forge (aka Papa Emeritus IV) announced in October that the Swedish band's follow-up to June 2018's 'Prequelle' should arrive after summer 2021. "The plan now is for me to be here (in the studio) writing for another two months until Christmas," Forge told Swedish Rock Magazine. "The idea is for the album to be recorded in January. The actual recording will last around six weeks and then there's two to three weeks of mixing and mastering. So sometime in March the record should be finished, but it won't be released until after the summer."
Epica – ‘Omega’
Dutch symphonic metallers Epica release their new studio album 'Omega' on Friday 26th February 2021. The band's first studio album in five years, 'Omega' boasts 12 tracks including the anthemic lead single 'Abyss of Time' (which has clocked up 1.7million YouTube views and counting) and the 13-minute epic 'Kingdom of Heaven, Part 3 – The Antediluvian Universe.'
Stone Broken – ‘Revelation’
Walsall rockers Stone Broken are primed to release their third studio album – tentatively titled 'Revelation' – in 2021 to support their extensive Revelation Tour across the UK. Very little is known about the album but if they keep up the ante from their brilliant 2016 debut 'All In Time' and 2018 follow-up 'Ain't Always Easy', then it will be another rock tour-de-force from the quartet.
Rammstein – TBA
With their mind-blowing stadium tour postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, German industrial metal titans Rammstein hit La Fabrique Studios in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France in the autumn to work on new material. Sharing photos of themselves hard at work, Rammstein wrote on Instagram: "Sadly no tour this year - but it's great to be back in the studio!" If it's indeed a new album Rammstein are working on, let's hope the wait is significantly less than the decade gap between 2009's 'Liebe ist für alle da' and 2019's 'untitled.'
Iron Maiden – TBA
In a video message to fans in October, Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson confirmed he and Steve Harris have been writing new material and doing bits of work in the studio. "A lot of things haven't happened this year, that's blindingly obvious," Bruce said. "However, we do have plans. In the meantime, what are we doing? Well, we're doing bits of writing. I'm talking to Steve (Harris). We've been working together a little bit in the studio. On what, I can't tell you, 'cause they'd have to kill me." In 2021 it will be six years since the release of 'The Book of Souls' – the longest Iron Maiden fans have had to wait for a new album in the band's legendary history.
Royal Blood – TBA
Esteemed British rock duo Royal Blood – aka Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher – will release their third album in 2021. The follow-up to June 2017's 'How Did We Get So Dark?' is self-produced and it was recorded The Church and Sleeper Sounds in London. October's lead single 'Trouble's Coming' saw Ben and Mike fuse their trademark cacophonous rock din with almost Daft Punk-esque electronic sounds. Whether this track signals a more experimental musical palette on album no.3 remains to be seen.
Scorpions – TBA
The German heavy metal legends have been working on their nineteenth studio album for some time now, and in October drummer Mikkey Dee revealed they had at least 25 tracks written for possible inclusion. "We're making a very good record. We record everything live together, and it's coming along really nice," Mikkey told The MetalSucks Podcast. "We're just in the beginning of the actual recordings, because it's quite a lot of production, demoing, doing the writing. I think we have over 25 songs, and that's gonna be down to 12. And that's all great. And I can't wait to continue smacking the drums on that record." The album will be Mikkey's first full-length release with Scorpions.
Transatlantic – ‘The Absolute Universe’
The progressive rock supergroup consisting of Neal Morse (ex-Spock's Beard), Roine Stolt (Kaipa, The Flower Kings), Pete Trewavas (Marillion, Edison's Children) and Mike Portnoy (Sons of Apollo, ex-Dream Theater) will release their fifth album 'The Absolute Universe' on the 5th February 2021. Boldly billed as a "magnum opus" and "epic" by Portnoy, the ambitious album is being released in two versions: a 60-minute abridged edition and a sprawling 90-minute extended edition.
Ozzy Osbourne – TBA
Hot on the heels of February 2020's 'Ordinary Man' – his first record in a decade – Ozzy Osbourne has already commenced work on his next album. Sharon told Steve-O's 'Wild Ride!' podcast in July: "(Ozzy) is starting his second album with ('Ordinary Man' producer) Andrew Watt right now. And you can't stop him. He's doing it." In a Reddit AMA session back in February, Ozzy first revealed his plans to make another album, saying: "I am making another album because while I can't tour, I can make music. What I learned from Ordinary Man, it got the juices flowing again. People say they write the best songs when they're unhappy, and I was unhappy last year." In December 2020, Andrew Watt confirmed the record is "halfway done" and features guest appearances from Foo Fighters' Taylor Hawkins, Metallica's Robert Trujillo and Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith.
Inglorious – ‘We Will Ride’
Inglorious' fourth studio album is their first to feature lead guitarist Danny Dela Cruz, guitarist Dan Stevens and bassist Vinnie Colla who joined the band just before the release of 'Ride To Nowhere' in early 2019. Judging by the rousing lead single 'She Won't Let You Go', we'll be on familiar classic rock territory on 'We Will Ride' with plenty of virtuoso guitar playing from the boyish Danny Dela Cruz and powerhouse vocals from Nathan James.
Joe Bonamassa – TBA
Appearing on My Planet Rocks in November, Joe Bonamassa revealed his plans to start work on this fifteenth studio album in 2021. "We are going to do a new album – a new studio album – in March of next year in New York City," he told Wyatt. Joe Bonamassa's tribute to his British blues heroes, 'Royal Tea', only came out in October, however with Bonamassa being one of most prolific musicians on the rock scene, we wouldn't bet against the album being released in 2021.
Evanescence – ‘The Bitter Truth’
Evanescence's first album of original music in a decade The Bitter Truth, will be released on Friday 26th March 2021. So far this year, Evanescence has released three singles from The Bitter Truth - 'Wasted on You', 'The Game is Over' and 'Use My Voice' – the latter of which features Halestorm's Lzzy Hale, Within Temptation's Sharon den Adel, The Pretty Reckless' Taylor Momsen and many more.