10 Most Anticipated Metal Albums Of 2018

In 2016, Austria’s progressive black metal duo Harakiri for the Sky hit new heights with their third album, III: Trauma. The record quickly struck a chord with hardcore metalheads, letting the band become one of the most exciting metal acts in their home country.

Hot off the momentum of their best album to date, frontman J.J. and instrumentalist M.S. – who performs on the drums, guitars and bass – have announced their fourth release, Arson, for “the beginning of next year”, circa eighteen months since III: Trauma saw the light of day.

And for any fans who felt that that wasn’t a big enough window of time to craft a metal masterpiece, those qualms were put to rest when Arson’s first single, “Tomb Omnia”, was unleashed.

Packing eight minutes of despondent blackness, “Tomb Omnia” is a ride driven by harrowing roars, ambient production and speedy guitars. The thrashing single blends the direct, hard-hitting nature of Mayhem and Darkthrone with the expertise of Wolves in the Throne Room and even Deafheaven.

For any fans of 21st-century black metal, Harakiri for the Sky are true ones to watch. After the success of their prior album, Arson could be the record that finally breaks this twosome through to the same level of Ghost Bath or Enslaved.