This is a timeline documenting the events of heavy metal in the year 2013.
Bands disbanded Ava Inferi Cataract Kiuas The Chariot Forbidden Gaza God Forbid Inhale Exhale Nachtmystium Power Quest Static-X Vomitory Weapon
Bands reformed Dark Angel Falconer Gardenian Luna Mortis Minsk Mutiny Within Sonic Syndicate SugarComa (one-off reunion) Toxik
Events Paul Di'Anno (ex-Iron Maiden) retired after his 2012 tour. HammerFall went on hiatus this year and did not release their next album until 2014. Lars Ulrich confirmed that Metallica's Orion Music + More festival will be held again this year. Ceremonial Oath, who split up in 1995, and Gardenian, who split up in 2004 and had not played a show in 12 years, both reunited for this year's edition of The Gothenburg Sound festival, which took place from January 4–5 at Trädgår'n in Gothenburg, Sweden. Metal Church, who split up twice (in 1994 and 2009), reunited for a second time at this year's 70000 Tons of Metal in January. Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe stood trial on February 4 on charges of manslaughter in the death of a fan at a concert in Prague, Czech Republic in 2010. He was acquitted on March 5, 2013, of all charges against him. Drummer Chris Adler said in an interview "Not only were we not able to generate any income, but we ended up having to pay more than half a million dollars in legal fees," the drummer said. "It bankrupted the entire band, no money left for any kind of payroll or anything." Rush was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, California, on April 18. Liege Lord, who split up in 1989, reunited at the Keep It True XVI festival, which took place from April 19–20 at Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Königshofen, Germany. They were the headliner of the festival. Cannibal Corpse celebrated the 25th anniversary of their formation. Anthrax announced the departure of guitarist Rob Caggiano. Volbeat announced that "former Anthrax and The Damned Things guitarist Rob Caggiano has officially joined Volbeat." Caggiano served as producer on "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies" alongside long-time production partner Jacob Hansen, who produced and mixed the band's prior four albums. Danny Carey (Tool) admitted that he was the band member that had the motorcycle accident, "I cracked four ribs, broke three of them on a motorcycle the other day, so I am kinda laid up at this point. It's making it really painful to play. It's not an easy thing to do," he said. On February 18, 2013, bassist Daniel Antonsson quit Dark Tranquillity on good terms. Daniel wanted to focus on his own musical projects, play guitar rather than be the bassist in the band, and not wanting to commit to heavy touring of the band's 10th studio album and being a recording engineer/producer in his studio Gothenburg Rock Studios. Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo was not able to attend the Australian tour due to misgivings over contract negotiations. Jon Dette (ex-Evildead, ex-Testament) had replaced Dave for the remainder of the tour. On May 30, Slayer announced that Dave Lombardo has been officially replaced by Paul Bostaph (ex-Exodus, ex-Testament). Bison B.C. were dropped by Metal Blade Records, but the band still remains optimistic about the future. Symphony X drummer Jason Rullo suffered heart failure, but recovered with cardiac rehab. Korn announced that a new album featuring Brian "Head" Welch who officially rejoined the band after 8 years of absence. Tim Lambesis, vocalists for As I Lay Dying and Austrian Death Machine, was arrested after police said he tried to hire an undercover detective to kill his estranged wife. Tim has pleaded not guilty, and was released on bail for 2 million on May 31, 2013. Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater) leaves Adrenaline Mob due to "scheduling conflicts". Protest the Hero drummer and original member Moe Carlson left the band after 12 years. Moe stated, "just to let you know, I'm going back to school, [I don't] have any intentions of touring ever again."
Deaths January 16 – Claudio Leo, former guitarist of Lacuna Coil, died from cancer at the age of 40. January 26 – Bryan Carlstrom, recording engineer of numerous artists in a wide spectrum of genres, including Anthrax, Alice in Chains, D.R.I., Sacred Reich, White Zombie, and Incubus, died from undisclosed reasons at the age of 51. March 12 – Clive Burr, former drummer of Iron Maiden, Trust and Samson, died from multiple sclerosis complications at the age of 56. March 19 – David Henning "Blackmoon" Parland, founding member, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist of numerous Swedish death and black metal bands, including Dark Funeral, Necrophobic, and Infernal, died by suicide at the age of 42. March 24 – Willi Lackmann, original Grave Digger bassist, died from undisclosed reasons. April 5 – Sławomir Kusterka (a.k.a. Mortifer), bassist of Hate, died from cardiac dysrhythmia in his sleep at the age of 27. April 5 – Jeremy Andrew "Andy" Johns, record producer and audio engineer of numerous artists, including Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, and L.A. Guns, died from stomach ulcer complications at the age of 62. April 13 – Chi Cheng, bassist of Deftones died from complications following the 2008 car crash he was involved in at the age of 42. April 18 – Storm Elvin Thorgerson, graphic artist, music video director, and album cover designer of numerous artists, including Pink Floyd, Dream Theater, Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Helloween, and Bruce Dickinson, among others, died from cancer at the age of 69. May 2 – Jeffrey John "Jeff" Hanneman, founding member, songwriter, and guitarist of Slayer, died from alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 49. May 18 – Phil Buerstatte, former drummer of White Zombie, died from MRSA infection at the age of 46. May 21 – Trevor Bolder, bassist of Uriah Heep and Wishbone Ash, died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 62. June 1 – Maria Johanna Mårlöv, former Therion vocalist, died from cancer at the age of 38. June 2 – Mick Morris, bassist of Eighteen Visions and live bassist of Bleeding Through, died due to a pre-existing heart condition at the age of 35. August 10 – Phil Baheux, drummer of Channel Zero died from heart problems at the age of 45. August 23 – Joey LaCaze, founding member and drummer of Eyehategod, died from respiratory failure at the age of 42.
Films Metallica released their 3D movie on August 9, 2013. The movie is entitled Metallica: Through the Never and was developed by Picturehouse. Dream Theater released their movie on November 4, 2013. The movie is entitled Dream Theater: Live at Luna Park and was developed by Eagle Rock Entertainment.
Albums released January Day Artist Album 1 Oblivion Called to Rise Subterranean Masquerade Home (EP) 8 Newsted Metal (EP) Hollywood Undead Notes from the Underground 12 Mors Principium Est ...And Death Said Live Mutiny Within Synchronicity 18 Blockheads The World is Dead Helloween Straight Out of Hell Nightfall Cassiopeia Rotten Sound Species at War (EP) Saille Ritu 21 Fen Dustwalker The Prophecy Salvation Riverside Shrine of New Generation Slaves 22 Crashdïet The Savage Playground Holy Grail Ride the Void Love and Death Between Here & Lost Touché Amoré and Pianos Become the Teeth Touché Amoré / Pianos Become the Teeth (Split EP) Lightning Swords of Death Baphometic Chaosium Voivod Target Earth 25 Convulse Inner Evil Cult of Luna Vertikal Hatebreed The Divinity of Purpose Koldbrann Vertigo Jørn Lande Symphonic (compilation) Pink Cream 69 Ceremonial Stratovarius Unbreakable (EP)28Funeral for a FriendConduit 29 A Sound of Thunder Queen of Hell (EP) Assassin Chaos and Live Shots (DVD) Circle II Circle Seasons Will Fall The Gates of Slumber Stormcrow (EP) Tomahawk Oddfellows
February Day Artist Album 1 The 69 Eyes Love Runs Away (EP) Blind Guardian A Traveler's Guide to Space and Time (box set) Enforcer Death by Fire Manilla Road Mysterium Raven Lord Descent to the Underworld Sinister Years of Massacre (Compilation) Sonic Reign Monument in Black5 Passages Into Deformity Defeated SanityHate Solarflesh – A Gospel of Radiant DivinityRed Release the PanicSpektr Cypher 12 Bullet for My Valentine Temper Temper 15 Misery Index Live in Munich (live album) Suffocation Pinnacle of Bedlam 16 Sacred Steel The Bloodshed Summoning 18 Officium Triste Mors Viri 19 Complete Failure The Art Gospel of Aggravated Assault Black Boned Angel The End Portal Vexovoid Shai Hulud (band) Reach Beyond the Sun Wednesday 13 The Dixie Dead 22 Arkona Decade of Glory Eternal Tears of Sorrow Saivon Lapsi Lord Digital Lies Lost Soul Genesis XX: Years Of Chaoz (Compilation) Stratovarius Nemesis W.E.T. Rise Up 25 Darkthrone The Underground Resistance Omnium Gatherum Beyond Steven Wilson The Raven That Refused to Sing (And Other Stories) 26 Byzantine Byzantine Ruins Place of No Pity Vreid Welcome Farewell Within the Ruins Elite
March Day Artist Album 1 Crystallion Killer Rotting Christ Kata ton Daimona Eaytoy Saxon Sacrifice Thyrfing De Ödeslösa Wolfchant Embraced by Fire 4 Hardcore Superstar C'mon Take on Me Long Distance Calling The Flood Inside 5 Krokus Dirty Dynamite Neaera Ours is the Storm Soilwork The Living Infinite 8 Horna Askel Lähempänä Saatanaa Lordi To Beast or Not to Beast 11 Blood Tsunami For Faen Orange Goblin A Eulogy For The Fans (DVD) 12 Adrenaline Mob Covertá (EP) Common Dead Allegorize Rammstein Videos 1995–2012 (DVD) 15 Imperia Queen of Passion (compilation) KEN mode Entrench Torture Killer Phobia Wardruna Runaljod - Yggdrasil 18 Intronaut Habitual Levitations (Instilling Words with Tones) 19 Anthrax Anthems (covers EP) Clutch Earth Rocker Hundredth Revolt (EP) Jungle Rot Terror Regime Six Feet Under Unborn 22 Adept Silence the World Aeternus ...And the Seventh His Soul Detesteth Hypocrisy End of Disclosure Northlane Singularity Pretty Maids Motherland Serenity War of Ages Stonelake Monolith Trail of Tears Oscillation Visions of Atlantis Ethera Von Dark Gods: Seven Billion Slaves 25 Amaranthe The Nexus The Amenta Flesh Is Heir Finntroll Blodsvept Gamma Ray Master of Confusion (EP) Moss Horrible Nights October Tide Tunnel of No Light Axel Rudi Pell Live on Fire (DVD) 26 Benea Reach Possession DGM Momentum Kvelertak Meir Senses Fail Renacer Sevendust Black Out the Sun Stryper Second Coming Suicidal Tendencies 13 29 Persefone Spiritual Migration 30 Avantasia The Mystery of Time
April