In the last couple of years, rock and metal has fallen out of the mainstream. Hip hop/rap and pop music have taken over the mainstream charts, with new albums debuting at number one almost every week. But rock and metal has fallen off the mainstream charts, and become a lesser known genre. Hypnotized by the mainstream, people are starting to forget about rock and metal. There are a lot of projections for big name bands to release new music in 2019, and some of them have a really good chance of breaking through onto the Billboard Top 100. Here are some bands that could be projected to release new music, or are definitely releasing new music and their chances of breaking onto the Top 100 charts.

It is confirmed at this point that Slipknot will be releasing new music in 2019. They released their surprise new single on Halloween last year titled “All Out Life”. This song is about Corey Taylor’s very strong hatred for the idea that if music is old, it is automatically bad. This song will be on Slipknot’s new record, which is reported to come out in mid 2019. However, Slipknot’s heavy guitar breakdowns and violent, loud lyrics will prevent it breaking onto the Top 100 Charts. Corey Taylor said this album would be “Iowa levels of heavy”, and that kind of metal is probably not going to sit well with young listeners. This album will definitely debut at number one on the rock album charts, but not on the mainstream charts.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are also rumored to be releasing new music this year. Bassist Flea uploaded a video of the band in the studio to instagram, and it has fans buzzings. This would be the first album the Chili Peppers put out since their 2016 studio album The Getaway. Out of all of the artists listed, the Chili Peppers probably have the best chance of breaking into the mainstream and most likely the top 100 charts.

Recently, news broke that one of the thrash metal big four bands Megadeth would be releasing a greatest hits compilation album in 2019. This would be a great chance for fans to go back and listen to their Megadeth favorites like “Symphony of Destruction” and “Holy Wars….The Punishment Due”. With a new greatest hits album coming out, this could mean that we might be getting some new music.

Greatest hits compilation always seem to pack in some new music. One of the more recent ones being Green Day’s greatest hits album God’s Favorite Band and the hit song “Back in the USA”. The last band is not very likely to release new music, but 2019 could be the year that they take a step in the right direction as a band.

System of a Down has not released any new music since their albums Hypnotize and Mezmerize in 2006. The main problem within the band is vocalist Serj Tankian. The other three members Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, and John Dolmayan are open and willing to make a new record, but Serj does not want anything to do with it. Bassist Shavo Odadjian was brought up the idea of hiring the same band therapist that  Metallica hired while they were having an in band feud. If this does happen, it could be a step in the right direction in having System of a Down making new music. It is very unlikely that System of a Down makes new music, but if they do, don’t expect it to be mainstream. 2019 should be a year to look forward to for metalheads everywhere. There are way too many bands to talk about, and that should be very exciting for metalheads.