This is a timeline documenting the events of heavy metal in the year 2014.
Bands formed 1914 Act of Defiance Beyond the Black Black Pantera Enterprise Earth Entombed A.D. The Gentle Storm Hellripper Mardelas Mental Cruelty The Mute Gods Myrkur Signs of the Swarm Vulvodynia
Bands disbanded Bleeding Through Brutal Truth Chimaira Light Bringer Massacre Pestilence The Soulless
Bands reformed Aftermath Atreyu (hiatus during 2011–2014) Breaking Benjamin (hiatus during 2010–2014) Centinex From Autumn to Ashes Haste the Day Life of Agony
Events On January 6, Benighted announced the departure of bassist Eric Lombard, and Alexis Lieu as his replacement. On January 10, bassist Dan Lilker (Nuclear Assault, Brutal Truth, ex-Anthrax) announced that he will be retiring from being a full-time musician on October 18, which will be his 50th birthday. He also announced that Brutal Truth will split up. On January 13, Testament announced the departure of bassist Greg Christian, and Steve Di Giorgio (who was part of the band from 1998 to 2004) as his replacement. On January 16, In Mourning announced that they have parted ways with drummer Christian Netzell. And on April 2, they introduced Mattias Bender as their new drummer. On January 26, Black Sabbath's "God Is Dead?" won this year's Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. This was their first Grammy Award in 14 years, since their live version of "Iron Man" won the same category. On February 6, The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund announced This is Your Life, a tribute album to celebrate the life and legacy of Ronnie James Dio. Covers of his songs from Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio will be performed by various artists: Metallica, Motörhead, Rob Halford (Judas Priest, Halford), Anthrax, Corey Taylor (Slipknot, Stone Sour), Halestorm, Killswitch Engage and many more. On February 12, Marky Edelmann (a.k.a. Marquis Marky) announced plans to leave Coroner at the end of February. On February 14, Lacuna Coil announced via their Facebook page that their guitarist Cristiano 'Pizza' Migliore and drummer Cristiano 'Criz' Mozzati have decided to retire from the band after 16 years citing personal reasons. On February 21, Per ‘Sodomizer’ Eriksson announced his departure from Katatonia and will be temporarily replaced by Bruce Soord (The Pineapple Thief, Wisdom of Crowds) and Tomas Åkvik (Nale) respectively. On February 24, Guitarist John Ricci announced his departure from Exciter due to his decision to retire from the music industry, and, on April 4, it was announced that bassist Rob "Clammy" Cohen will also part ways with the band due to both personal and business issues. On March 17, it was announced that Angela Gossow had left Arch Enemy but would remain as the band's manager. She is replaced by Alissa White-Gluz, former vocalist of The Agonist. On the same day, The Agonist have announced they have parted ways with Alissa and that Vicky Psarakis had taken over as their new vocalist. On March 31, Equilibrium announced that Andreas Völkl and Sandra Van Eldik, the founding members of their band, were leaving the band for unspecified reasons. On April 17, Daniel Liljekvist quit Katatonia, and was temporarily replaced by JP Asplund and Daniel Moilanen (ex-Engel) respectively. On April 25–26, Jag Panzer reunited for this year's edition of Keep It True Festival in Germany. On May 16, As I Lay Dying and Austrian Death Machine frontman Tim Lambesis was sentenced to six years in prison with a 48 days credit for custody already served for his role in a murder-for-hire plot to kill his wife. On June 8, Exodus announced the departure of their singer Rob Dukes. On the same day, they announced their reunion with Steve "Zetro" Souza, who was the singer of Exodus from 1986 to 1992, and again from 2002 to 2004. On July 10, Voivod announced the departure of bassist Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault for the second time. On August 19, Phil Anselmo announced that Superjoint Ritual would reunite for this year's Housecore Horror Film Festival under the name Superjoint. On November 17, Arch Enemy announced the departure of guitarist Nick Cordle and announced former Nevermore guitarist Jeff Loomis as his replacement. On November 25, drummer Shawn Drover announced his departure from Megadeth citing a desire to pursue his own musical interests. On November 26, guitarist Chris Broderick announced his departure from Megadeth due to musical differences. On November 26, drummer Kelly David-Smith announced his departure from Flotsam and Jetsam to focus on his family. On December 28, guitarist Herman Frank announced his second departure from Accept. Later that day, Accept announced that drummer Stefan Schwarzmann also left the band. In 2014, Mötley Crüe embarked on their farewell The Final Tour, which concluded with their last show on 31 December 2015 at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. The band later reunited in 2019 and announced The Stadium Tour, co-headlining with Def Leppard. In 2014, Vixen's surviving members resurrected the band in honor of the fallen Jan Kuehnemund, guitarist and founder of the band. They will perform at select festivals and showcase dates.
Deaths
January 29 – Pete Hurley, founding member and former guitarist of Extreme Noise Terror, died from undisclosed reasons. February 17 – Bob Casale, also known as "Bob 2" and the rhythm guitarist and keyboardist of Devo, died from heart failure at the age of 61. March 23 – Dave Brockie (a.k.a. Oderus Urungus), vocalist of Gwar, died from accidental opioid overdose at the age of 50. March 24 – Paulo Schroeber, former guitarist of Almah, died from heart failure at the age of 40. April 5 – Jason McCash, former bassist of The Gates of Slumber, died from heroin overdose at the age of 37. April 15 – Shane Gibson, former touring guitarist of KoЯn, died from result of complications from a blood clotting disorder at the age of 35. April 23 – Mike Atta, guitarist of Middle Class, died from kidney and lung cancer at the age of 53. May 11 – Ed Gagliardi, former bassist of Foreigner, died from cancer at the age of 62. May 12 – H. R. Giger, Swiss artist who provided artwork for numerous rock and metal bands such as KoЯn, Celtic Frost, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Dead Kennedys, Danzig and Atrocity, died after being hospitalized for injuries sustained after he tripped and fell downstairs in his home at the age of 74. May 13 – Akihiro Yokoyama, bassist of United, died from undisclosed reasons at the age of 49. May 20 – Randy Coven, bassist for Ark, Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen, died from cardiac arrest at the age of 55. June 1 – Victor Agnello, former drummer of Lȧȧz Rockit, died of leukemia at the age of 50. June 4 – Doc Neeson, former vocalist and bassist of The Angels, died from a brain tumor at the age of 67. July 30 – Fausto Fanti (a.k.a. Blondie Hammett), former guitarist and humorist of Massacration, died from suicide at the age of 35. July 30 – Dick Wagner, former guitarist for Alice Cooper, died from respiratory failure at the age of 71. August 10 – Maria Kolokouri (a.k.a. Tristessa), vocalist of all-female band Astarte, died from complications from leukemia at the age of 37. August 27 – Tim Williams (a.k.a. Rawbiz), bassist of Suicidal Tendencies, died from seizure at the age of 31. October 19 – James Levesque, bassist of Agent Orange, died from unspecified causes at the age of 52. October 25 – Jack Bruce, bassist of Cream, died peacefully at home at the age of 71. November 1 – Wayne Static, vocalist and guitarist of Static-X, died from combined drug intoxication at the age of 48. November 9 – Jonathan Athon, bassist and vocalist of Black Tusk, died due to injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident at the age of 32. November 19 – Riff West, former bassist of Molly Hatchet, died from lengthy illness caused by severe injuries suffered in a car accident at the age of 64.
Albums released January Day Artist Album 6 Iced Earth Plagues of Babylon James LaBrie I Will Not Break (EP) 10 Skull Fist Chasing the Dream 13 Suicidal Angels Divide and Conquer 17 Axel Rudi Pell Into the Storm Chrome Division Infernal Rock Eternal Nashville Pussy Up the Dosage 20 The Haunted Eye of the Storm (EP) 21 Alcest Shelter Nine Inch Nails Remix 2014 EP (EP) Persuader The Fiction Maze Throwdown Intolerance 22 Within Temptation Hydra 24 Caliban Ghost Empire Elysion Someplace Better Primal Fear Delivering the Black 27 Kampfar Djevelmakt Hammercult SteelcrusherSisterDisguised Vultures Skindred Kill the Power Transatlantic Kaleidoscope 28 Metallica Metallica Through the Never (DVD) Periphery Clear (EP) 31 Ektomorf Retribution Grand Magus Triumph and Power Lake of Tears By the Black Sea (DVD) Mayan Antagonise
February Day Artist Album 1 Dark Tranquillity A Memory Construct (EP) Skull & Bones The Cursed Island 4 Behemoth The Satanist For Today Fight the Silence Truckfighters Universe 7 Stam1na SLK Van Canto Dawn of the Brave 14 Amoral Fallen Leaves & Dead Sparrows Benighted Carnivore Sublime Cynic Kindly Bent to Free Us Flotsam and Jetsam No Place For Disgrace 2014 15 Acidez Beer Drinkers Survivors 18 Adrenaline Mob Men of Honor I Killed the Prom Queen Beloved Slough Feg Digital Resistance 21 Battleaxe Heavy Metal Sanctuary Vanishing Point Distant Is the Sun 24 Crematory Antiserum Freedom Call Beyond Hirax Immortal Legacy Vanden Plas Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld (Path 1) 26 Babymetal Babymetal 28 Axxis Kingdom of the Night II Iron Savior Rise of the Hero Manowar Kings of Metal MMXIV
March Day Artist Album 1 Aurora Borealis Worldshapers 3 Earth Crisis Salvation of Innocents Gojira Les Enfants Sauvages (Live) 4 Wolves Like Us Black Soul Choir Destrage "'Are You Kidding Me? No." 7 Carnifex Die Without Hope Dawn of Destiny F.E.A.R. 10 Savage Messiah The Fateful Dark 11 Architects Lost Forever // Lost Together Nocturnal Breed Napalm Nights 14 Dirge Hyperion Profane Omen Reset 17 Gus G I Am the Fire 18 Demon Hunter Extremist 24 Magnum Escape from the Shadow Garden Massacre Back from Beyond 25 Animals as Leaders The Joy of Motion Gamma Ray Empire of the Undead Memphis May Fire Unconditional Sinbreed Shadows Sonata Arctica Pariah's Child Thou Heathen 28 Anette Olzon Shine Trollfest Kaptein Kaos
April Day Artist Album 1 Austrian Death Machine Triple Brutal Lacuna Coil Broken Crown Halo Steel Panther All You Can Eat 4 Brainstorm Firesoul Delain The Human Contradiction 7 Black Label Society Catacombs of the Black Vatican Gotthard Bang! 14 Impaled Nazarene Vigorous and Liberating Death Triptykon Melana Chasmata 15 Anubis Gate Horizons Lillian Axe One Night in the Temple (Live) Sevendust Time Travelers & Bonfires 18 Edguy Space Police: Defenders of the Crown Stream of Passion A War of Our Own 21 Autopsy Tourniquets, Hacksaws and Graves 22 Joe Satriani The Complete Studio Recordings (Box Set) Sebastian Bach Give 'Em Hell Winger Better Days Comin' 25 Arkona Yav Deep Machine Rise of the Machine Light the Torch The Beauty of Destruction Helstar This Wicked Nest Mekong Delta In a Mirror Darkly Savn Savn 28 Aborted The Necrotic Manifesto Holy Moses Redefined Mayhem 29 Insomnium Shadows of the Dying Sun Eye of the Enemy The Vengeance Paradox
May