2026 in heavy metal music

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by editing the page to add missing items, with references to reliable sources.

This is a timeline documenting the events of heavy metal in the year 2026.

Bands disbanded

• Sepultura ^[1]
• Svalbard ^[2]

Events

• Sepultura is scheduled to wrap up what was announced as a year-long farewell tour, titled "Celebrating Life Through Death". ^[1]
• Iron Maiden is scheduled to wrap up their ongoing "Run for Your Lives World Tour" this year. ^[3]

Albums expected

January

Day	Artist	Album
9	Alter Bridge	Alter Bridge [4]
	Beyond the Black	Break the Silence [5]
16	Edenbridge	Set the Dark on Fire [6]
23	Melissa Bonny	Cherry Red Apocalypse [7]

February

Day	Artist	Album
20	Clawfinger	Before We All Die [8]

March

Day	Artist	Album
6	Powerwolf	Wildlive (Live at Olympiahalle) (live album) [9]

Artists with material in production

• Abysmal Dawn ^[10]
• Accept (re-recording album) ^[11]
• Acid Reign ^[12]
• Alcatrazz ^[13]
• Angus McSix ^[14]
• Anthrax ^[15]
• Archspire ^[16]
• Armored Saint ^[17]
• Atreyu ^[18]
• Bangalore Choir ^[19]
• Bullet for My Valentine ^[20]
• Clutch ^[21]
• Cold ^[22]
• Conception ^[23]
• Corrosion of Conformity ^[24]
• Crimson Glory ^[25]
• Crystal Lake ^[26]
• Dangerous Toys ^[27]
• Die Krupps ^[28]
• Disturbed ^[29]
• Doro ^[30]
• Down ^[31]
• Evanescence ^[32]
• Excel ^[33]
• Exodus ^[34]
• Fear Factory ^[35]
• Firewind ^[36]
• Forbidden ^[37]
• Gojira ^[38]
• Gorguts ^[39]
• Ice Nine Kills ^[40]
• Insomnium ^[41]
• John Corabi ^[42]
• Kerry King ^[43]
• King Diamond – Saint Lucifer's Hospital 1920 ^[44]
• Kreator ^[45]
• Lita Ford ^[46]
• Mayhem ^[47]
• Megadeth ^[48]
• Metal Allegiance ^[49]
• Michael Schenker ^[50]
• Michale Graves ^[51]
• Ministry ^[52]
• Moonspell ^[53]
• Ne Obliviscaris ^[54]
• Obituary ^[55]
• Overkill ^[56]
• Papa Roach ^[57]
• Queensrÿche ^[58]
• Ring of Fire ^[59]
• Russian Circles ^[60]
• Samael ^[61]
• Savatage – Curtain Call ^[62]
• Saxon ^[63]
• Sepultura (EP) ^[64]
• Shinedown ^[65]
• Six Feet Under ^[66]
• Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators ^[67]
• Snot ^[68]
• Soil ^[69]
• Soilwork ^[70]
• Steel Panther ^[71]
• Stoned Jesus – Songs to Moon ^[72]
• Suicidal Tendencies ^[73]
• Symphony X ^[74]
• Tool ^[75]
• Trivium ^[76]
• U.D.O. ^[77]
• Ugly Kid Joe ^[78]
• Venom Inc. ^[79]
• Victory ^[80]
• Vio-lence ^[81]

References

1. "ANDREAS KISSER Is Still Hoping CAVALERA Brothers Will Take Part In SEPULTURA's Final Concert: 'There's No Reason To Be Fighting'". Blabbermouth.net. January 31, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
2. "Svalbard calling it quits in 2026". Lambgoat. May 28, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
3. "Iron Maiden Announce 2025-2026 Run For Your Lives World Tour". The Rock Revival. September 19, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
4. "ALTER BRIDGE Announces Self-Titled Eighth Studio Album". Blabbermouth.net. July 15, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
5. "BEYOND THE BLACK Announces New Album 'Break The Silence', Shares Title Track". Blabbermouth.net. July 25, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
6. "EDENBRIDGE Returns To STEAMHAMMER/SPV, Announces New Album 'Set The Dark On Fire'". Blabbermouth.net. June 16, 2025. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
7. "AD INFINITUM Vocalist MELISSA BONNY Shares Cover Artwork And Tracklist For Cherry Red Apocalypse Solo Album". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles . August 18, 2025. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
8. "CLAWFINGER Announces New Album, 'Before We All Die'". Blabbermouth.net. July 18, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
9. "POWERWOLF Announces New Live Album, DVD And Blu-Ray, 'Wildlive (Live At Olympiahalle)'". Blabbermouth.net. June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
10. "Abysmal Dawn - New Material In The Making". Metal Storm. January 6, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
11. "ACCEPT To Celebrate 50th Anniversary With Tour And Album Of Re-Recorded Classics". Blabbermouth.net. July 1, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
12. "Acid Reign - Writing New Material". Metal Storm. January 29, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
13. "ALCATRAZZ Signs With BraveWords Records; New Studio Album To Be Released In 2026". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles . May 12, 2025. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
14. "Power Metal Band ANGUS McSIX Evolves with New Vocalist Sam Nyman". My Global Mind. January 7, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
15. "Anthrax readies first new album in 10 years: 'So riff-centric and brutal'". 105.7 The Point . April 30, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
16. Greg Kennelty (May 27, 2025). "ARCHSPIRE Get A New SPENCER On Drums, Announces Plans For A New Record". Metal Injection . Retrieved June 11, 2025.
17. "ARMORED SAINT To Begin Recording Ninth Studio Album In May 2025". Blabbermouth.net. April 9, 2025. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
18. "BRANDON SALLER Says There Will 'Probably' Be No New ATREYU Music Before 2026". Blabbermouth.net. December 16, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
19. "BraveWords Records Signs DAVID REECE for New BANGALORE CHOIR Studio Album, Out in 2026". Metal Shock Finland. May 19, 2025. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
20. "MATT TUCK Says BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE Will Resume Work On Band's Eighth Studio Album In August". Blabbermouth.net. June 15, 2025. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
21. "CLUTCH To Reteam With Producer GENE 'MACHINE' FREEMAN For Next Studio Album". Blabbermouth.net. May 14, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
22. "New COLD Album To Arrive In 2026: 'I'm Writing Right Now', Says SCOOTER WARD". Blabbermouth.net. April 29, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
23. "ROY KHAN Says CONCEPTION Has 'A Few Songs' Written For Next Studio Album". Blabbermouth.net. July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
24. "Corrosion Of Conformity - Finish Tracking Next Album". Metal Storm. August 19, 2025. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
25. "Crimson Glory - Finish First Long Player In 26 Years". Metal Storm. August 27, 2025. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
26. "Crystal Lake debut new single "Crossing Nails," new album arriving in January 2026". Lambgoat. August 7, 2025. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
27. "Scott Dalhover reveals that Dangerous Toys will be releasing two new albums in 2026". Sleaze Roxx. August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
28. "DIE KRUPPS Signs With DEPENDENT RECORDS; New Album Due In 2026". Blabbermouth.net. August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
29. Gary Graff (February 24, 2025). "'We've Never Done Anything Like This': Disturbed Share What to Expect at 'The Sickness' 25th Anniversary Tour". Billboard . Retrieved May 1, 2025.
30. "Doro - Drops New Song 'Warriors Of The Sea'". Metal Storm. May 24, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
31. "DOWN To Release New Album In 2026 Via New Label Home NUCLEAR BLAST". Blabbermouth.net. April 29, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
32. "AMY LEE: Next EVANESCENCE Studio Album Will 'Probably' Arrive In Early 2026". Blabbermouth.net. June 22, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
33. "Excel - In The Studio". Metal Storm. August 19, 2025. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
34. "GARY HOLT: No New EXODUS Album Until 2026". Blabbermouth.net. February 15, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
35. "FEAR FACTORY's First Album With New Singer MILO SILVESTRO Will '100%' Arrive In 2026, Says DINO CAZARES". Blabbermouth.net. August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
36. "GUS G. Says FIREWIND Is Working On An 'Epic And Massive' Concept Album: 'We Are Excited About It'". Blabbermouth.net. August 18, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
37. "Forbidden - Release First Song In 15 Years". Metal Storm. June 26, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
38. "GOJIRA's New Album To Arrive In 2026: 'It's Very Crucial To Take The Time To Bring Something Fresh And New And Powerful'". Blabbermouth.net. August 24, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
39. "New GORGUTS Album To Arrive In 2026". Blabbermouth.net. July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
40. Teemu Hakala (May 5, 2025). "Ice Nine Kills teases new album for 2026 – first single likely dropping this summer". Chaoszine. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
41. "Insomnium - Working On New Material". Metal Storm. March 31, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
42. "JOHN CORABI Says His Upcoming Solo Album Will Be 'Very Eclectic': 'We've Got A Bunch Of Killer Songs Together'". Blabbermouth.net. August 28, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
43. "KERRY KING Wants To Release Second Solo Album In Early 2026: 'That's A Realistic Goal'". Blabbermouth.net. February 19, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
44. "ANDY LA ROCQUE Says Plan Is To Finish Recording KING DIAMOND's 'Saint Lucifer's Hospital 1920' Album Before Christmas". Blabbermouth.net. June 10, 2025. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
45. "No New KREATOR Album Until 2026: 'I Need To Take My Time', Says MILLE PETROZZA". Blabbermouth.net. May 15, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
46. "LITA FORD Says Her Long-Awaited New Album Should 'Hopefully' Arrive By Early 2026". Blabbermouth.net. August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
47. "MAYHEM: 'We Are Currently In The Studio To Record A New Album'". Blabbermouth.net. August 1, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
48. "MEGADETH To Release Final Album In 2026, Embark On 'Farewell' Tour". Blabbermouth.net. August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
49. "DAVID ELLEFSON On METAL ALLEGIANCE: 'We've Got Some New Material That We're Working On Now'". Blabbermouth.net. February 2, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
50. "MICHAEL SCHENKER Shares 'Mother Mary' Single Featuring SLASH And ERIK GRÖNWALL". Blabbermouth.net. June 19, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
51. "Former MISFITS Singer MICHALE GRAVES Is Working On New Music And A Book That Will Come Out In 2026". Blabbermouth.net. August 11, 2025. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
52. Greg Kennelty (February 11, 2025). "MINISTRY Announces New Album Reworking Their Super Early, Long-Hated Material & North American Tour". Metal Injection . Retrieved March 1, 2025.
53. "No New MOONSPELL Album Until Late 2025 Or Early 2026". Blabbermouth.net. May 16, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
54. "Tim Charles Says Ne Obliviscaris' Next Album is Coming in 2026". MetalSucks. May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
55. "OBITUARY Could Have New Album Out In 2026 Or 2027, Says TERRY BUTLER". Blabbermouth.net. July 20, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
56. "BOBBY 'BLITZ' ELLSWORTH: No New OVERKILL Album Before 2026". Blabbermouth.net. September 7, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
57. "Next PAPA ROACH Album Will Be Out In 2026: 'We're Gonna Be Releasing Music Throughout The Year', Says JACOBY SHADDIX". Blabbermouth.net. March 31, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
58. "Queensrÿche - Begin Demoing New Music". Metal Storm. February 12, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
59. "MARK BOALS Working On New RING OF FIRE Album And Tour For 2026 + New Project With VISION DIVINE's Olaf Thorsen; Video". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles . August 26, 2025. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
60. Greg Kennelty (July 18, 2025). "New RUSSIAN CIRCLES Material In The Works For A 2026 Release". Metal Injection . Retrieved July 18, 2025.
61. "SAMAEL's Long-Awaited New Album Will 'Probably' Be Released In 2026". Blabbermouth.net. March 23, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
62. "Savatage - Update On First Album Since 2001". Metal Storm. December 29, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
63. "BIFF BYFORD: New SAXON Album To Arrive In Late 2026". Blabbermouth.net. February 13, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
64. "SEPULTURA To Release New Four-Song EP In 2026: 'It's Already Recorded'". Blabbermouth.net. August 31, 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
65. "SHINEDOWN's Eighth Album Will 'Probably' Arrive In 'Late February' Or 'Early March Of 2026'". Blabbermouth.net. July 22, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
66. "Six Feet Under - To Enter The Studio Next Month". Metal Storm. May 29, 2025. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
67. "New SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS Album May Not Come Out Until 2026". Blabbermouth.net. January 29, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
68. Greg Kennelty (July 15, 2025). "SNOT Are Back In The Studio For Their First New Material In Over Two Decades". Metal Injection . Retrieved July 18, 2025.
69. "SOiL - To Enter The Studio In September". Metal Storm. July 16, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
70. "No New SOILWORK Album Before 2026, Says BJÖRN 'SPEED' STRID". Blabbermouth.net. January 3, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
71. "STEEL PANTHER Is Hoping To Release New Studio Album In 2026". Blabbermouth.net. January 3, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
72. "Stoned Jesus - Announce Full-Length Release". Metal Storm. July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
73. "Suicidal Tendencies - Announce Fall Australian Tour Dates". Metal Storm. July 15, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
74. "SYMPHONY X Will 'Probably' Release Long-Awaited New Album In 2026: 'It's Gonna Have All The Cool Stuff' Fans Like". Blabbermouth.net. February 23, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
75. "Tool - To Enter The Studio This Spring". Metal Storm. February 19, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
76. "New TRIVIUM Album To Arrive In 2026: 'We've Been Working On Some Stuff', Says COREY BEAULIEU". Blabbermouth.net. February 12, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
77. "UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER: No New U.D.O. Album Before Late 2026 Or Early 2027". Blabbermouth.net. June 4, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
78. "UGLY KID JOE's New Album 'Is Basically In The Can': 'It's Getting Mixed Right Now'". Blabbermouth.net. June 23, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
79. "TONY DOLAN Talks Upcoming Music From VENOM INC.: 'It Feels Like A New Beginning'". Blabbermouth.net. July 29, 2025. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
80. "VICTORY Signs With SPV/STEAMHAMMER; New Studio Album Due In Autumn 2026". Blabbermouth.net. September 1, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
81. "Vio-lence - To Start Working On New Material Next Month". Metal Storm. April 19, 2025. Retrieved April 19, 2025.

Preceded by 2025

Heavy Metal Timeline 2026

Succeeded by 2027