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There are at least 19 big rock and metal bands that haven’t released a new studio album in five or more years.<\/p>\n
Some artists regularly pump new albums out every few years and others take their time \u2014 their sweet, sweet time. Five years ago it was 2021 and it was a strange time. Though we’d made it through what seemed like the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were still a lot of precautions we had to take to try and prevent the world from having to shut down again.<\/p>\n
There are quite a few artists who actually haven’t released albums since prior to onset of the global pandemic, which almost feels like an entirely different lifetime.<\/p>\n
Some bands tour and release one-off songs here and there without releasing new albums. Other artists have multiple projects they’re a part of, so they have to balance out their time evenly amongst them. The rest of them maybe just don’t plan on releasing new music anymore.<\/p>\n
We compiled a list of active bands \u2014 meaning they are currently together and playing shows \u2014 that haven’t released an album in five years or more. To be eligible, the artist’s last studio album had to have come out over five years ago, so live albums, compilations and EPs don’t count.<\/p>\n
Likewise, acts who’ve announced the title and release date for their next record don’t count since we know for sure that a new record is underway.<\/p>\n
READ MORE:\u00a0Songs 30 Huge Rock + Metal Bands Only Played Live One Time<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n We’re also not counting Rush<\/a> because they’re playing their first show since 2015 later this year.<\/p>\n Scroll through the gallery below to see the active rock and metal bands that haven’t released an album in five years or more.<\/p>\n These rock and metal bands are still together and actively touring, but haven’t released an album in five years or more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Lauryn Schaffner<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n If you’re interested in seeing the bands that are<\/em> confirmed to be releasing new albums this year or are simply working on new music, keep scrolling.<\/p>\n We’re on the back half of the 2020s. Take a look at some of the biggest releases due in 2026 AND check out what artists are working on new music but haven’t announced an album yet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Loudwire Staff<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Subscribe to Loudwire on Youtube<\/a>!<\/p>\n<\/div>\nActive Bands That Haven’t Released an Album in 5 Years<\/h2>\n
The Most Anticipated Rock + Metal Albums of 2026<\/h2>\n