Ten Things That Rule About 2008

1. New Anthrax CD

No matter how great he is, it's hard to imagine that Anthrax's new lead singer is better than John Bush. However, Anthrax's last album was the best of their entire career, and there's reason to believe that this one will rock as well.

2. New Giraffes CD

The greatest hard rock band to emerge in years is proclaiming that their long-awaited new rekkid is their best yet, "bar none & by a mile." New songs on their Myspace indicate as such.

3. New God Forbid CD

Coming off a two-year tour and the unbelievable Constitution of Treason, 2008 will determine if that album was God Forbid's Beneath the Remains or their Burn My Eyes.

4. New Gojira CD

Gojira have been expanding their fanbase on tours w/Lamb of God and Behemoth, and if their follow-up is anywhere near as great as From Mars to Sirius, it's going to make them huge.

5. New Judas Priest CD

I haven't heard much of the Priest's newer stuff, but a 2-CD concept album about Nostradamus is almost too metal to be true.

6. New King's X CD

Ogre Tones was one of the best records ever by this absurdly underrated power trio, and their unusually long break in between records could be a sign of something amazing.

7. New Mastodon CD

Blood Mountain was a major breakthrough for these hirsute Georgians, who are now 3 for 3 in awesome records. 2008 should push them even further into metal-god status.

8. New Melvins CD

With Big Business in tow, the Melvins are making some of the best music in their career, and 2008 should bring on some more Godzilla-riffed, two-drummer monstrosities.

9. New Meshuggah CD

With alleged inner turmoil and a new album that reportedly draws from the Destroy Erase Improve sound, it's all I can stand to not listen to the leaked track.

10. New Metallica CD

The biggest metal band in history is at work with the best-known producer in the world. Plausibly brilliant or an utter disaster, it will be a fascinating listen.

Yes, there's more great metal scheduled to come out this year, yes, some of it will probably get delayed, and no, Chinese Democracy is not seeing the light of day.