New Year, Old Habits.

Here it is, people - my first post of 2014 - and it finds me, fittingly, putting the finishing touches to the final part of my best of 2013 list. Saying goodbye to yet another amazing year in Metal and ushering in what is promising to be an equally exciting one. I'm already sat here with my obligatory cup of coffee, listening to my first new release album of the year: Iced Earth - Plagues Of Babylon (released: 6th Jan).

Pleasingly, Plagues Of Babylon finds the veteran band continuing the blistering return to form they started with Dystopia in 2011. It also finds them breaking in a new rhythm section, which has only helped to ramp up the energy level of the already revitalised Metal giants. Mainstay and chief songwriter, Jon Schaffer is on top form, clearly creatively inspired by this injection of youth and vocalist Stu Block is an absolutely revelation - his confidence and awe-inspiring set of pipes banishing all but the most stubborn thoughts of previous frontman, Matt Barlow.

This is Iced Earth back on the form that many thought them incapable of reaching again - precision, razor-sharp riffs, soaring, powerful vocals and perfectly-paced and structured songs, complete with the anthemic choruses the band is known for, all brought together perfectly to create a classy, solid and intelligent Metal concept album.

What a positive start to 2014 - listening to some arse-kicking new metal on the first day of a blank musical slate.