So, that’s that all over. 2008 has gone to the grave, and now we’re faced with another 365 days of turmoil and depression, as we slowly march onwards as a race doomed to suffer. But hey, at least all that suffering and torment should produce some inspired albums, and we’ll start, as we must, with January’s somewhat meagre selection.

26^th (US, Out Now in UK): Eagles of Death Metal – Heart On

I missed out on this one last month, but it’ll be seeing it’s release in America later this month so I thought I’d give it a mention. Perhaps a bit too overrated because of the involvement of Josh Homme (QOTSA, Desert Sessions) but still worth a listen, Eagels of Death Metal are more than happy to be the jokers to Homme’s more sadistic and serious side. They’ve got a knack for writing a damn good tune as well, as 2006’s ‘I Want You So Bad (The Boy’s Bad News)’ proved. If you want something that’s just fun and suitable for a damn good party, the new EoDM record should serve you well.

26^th: Architects – Hollow Crown

Brighton’s own Architects have come a long way since the release of their debut album ‘Nightmares’ in 2006. Now widely praised as one of the best metal bands the UK has to offer, the humble lads are probably facing the most pressure they’ve ever had to deal with upon the release of their third effort. Apparantly taking a more melodic route, but hopefully not in the same manner of Trivium, the album is set to divide fans, but music won’t get anywhere without some risk involved. It should be a solid release, from a band that has promised a lot for a (not such a) long time.

26^th: Sepultura – A-Lex

I’ll be honest, I’m yet to get into new Sepultura. And frankly I can’t help but be put off considering they still use the name. It’s a different band, but I’ll save that rant for another time. This album, like Dante XXI, is based on another piece of classic literature, this time the now not so shocking ‘A Clockwork Orange’, as written by Anthony Burgess. It’s an interesting direction that the band have taken, using other people’s incredible ideas to make up for the lack of their own, but there’s a slight possibility that the subject matter will evoke some fine riffs from the band. As long as they don’t start dressing up like the characters from the film to promote the album.

26^th: From Monument to Masses – On Little Known Frequencies

Until I reviewed their single a short while ago I’d never heard of this band. They hooked me in however, with their depressed outlook on the gradual end of the world at man’s destructive hands. Who knows though, this new album might feature some much cheerier instrumental material, especially as the Messiah himself, Barack Obama, is set to lay his healing hands on the world as soon as he’s ready. I doubt it however, and I’d be perfectly happy with FMtM continue with their bleak, vox-pop driven music that makes you think, then probably will lead to contemplating the pros and cons of ending it all now.

(I don’t think that’s the album artwork by the way, just waiting for that to appear.)

26^th: Franz Ferdinand - Tonight

Ok, so Franz are a band that have been on the decline ever since they brokeout with the incredible ‘Take Me Out’, but there’s no denying that for such a mainstream group, they write some damn intuitive music. Their last couple of albums have at least been peppered with a few single highlights, and at it’s worst I’m sure ‘Tonight’ is going to have at least foot-tapping craft of krautian genius. I’d certainly rather hear their singles on the radio rather than another Lily Allen or Kate Nash piece of insipid, bastard loving, child killing shit.