While 2012 was a solid year for new rock releases, it's looking like 2013 will be even bigger and better. To offer a glimpse of what's to come, we have compiled our list of the 10 Most Anticipated Rock Albums of 2013. There's a lot of big names expecting to drop some fresh sounds in the new year, and we can't wait to see what comes out. While we anticipate these acts providing new music, we can't guarantee every one of these albums will hit store shelves in 2013. And if you're wondering where bands like Metallica, Nine Inch Nails and Slipknot are on this list, their new albums aren't expected until 2014 at the earliest. So let's take a peek ahead and see what acts have the 10 Most Anticipated Albums of 2013:

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    Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com
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    10

    Motley Crue

    Since when is 'Sex' the foreplay? The answer is when you're Motley Crue. The band teased audiences this summer with a new track while they toured with Kiss, but the idea is that more music will follow in 2013. There's been plenty of speculation over the last few years how long the band will stick with the album format, but Nikki Sixx recently confirmed that the Crue are indeed working on a full-length effort.

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    Ethan Miller, Getty Images
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    9

    Device

    The name might not be as familiar as the other acts on this list, but with Disturbed frontman David Draiman fronting the group and Filter's Geno Lenardo on guitar, the pedigree is there. With Disturbed on hiatus, Device started recording in June. Draiman, in his trademark all-caps Twitter posts, has described Device as a more industrial-sounding outfit in the vein of early Nine Inch Nails and Ministry. Should be interesting.

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    Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
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    8

    Rob Zombie

    Rob Zombie has discussed how much he loves his current lineup, so that makes his next release one of the most highly anticipated discs of 2013. Zombie continues to try to balance his film and music careers, and with 'Lords of Salem' in the can, he can now focus on his next studio record. Zombie stated in an interview that he has three objectives - "dark, heavy and weird" - and would like to stick with that idea, with songs that don't fit the description being tossed aside. So get ready for some more rock mayhem from Zombie and his band.

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    Facebook: Pearl Jam
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    7

    Pearl Jam

    Last year was one of reflection for Pearl Jam, as 20th anniversary release for the 'Ten' album, a book, a film, and even their own festival filled the docket. But by years end, the group had amassed quite a bit of material behind the scenes. Drummer Matt Cameron recently stated that he was recording his drum parts prior to leaving for a Soundgarden tour in November, leading to speculation the disc was almost done. With 2009's 'Backspacer,' the band saw a creative rebound, so their next disc comes with a lot of anticipation.

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    6

    Queens of the Stone Age

    Where have you been Josh Homme? It's been six long years since Queens of the Stone Age's 'Era Vulgaris,' with the band Them Crooked Vultures, family time and a near-death experience taking up the time since then. But now with word that Dave Grohl would be playing drums on the entire disc, and Trent Reznor was contributing to at least one song, expectations are high for the next QOTSA disc.

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    5

    Judas Priest

    Judas Priest's next effort definitely has to fall among the 10 Most Anticipated Albums of 2013. It's been a time of transition for the band, who said farewell to K.K. Downing and hello to Richie Faulkner. The new guitarist has reportedly rejuvenated the band and the members have discussed their enthusiasm for recording their next effort with Faulkner as part of the writing process for the first time. Singer Rob Halford said early demos harken back to Priest's classic sound.

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    4

    Alice in Chains

    After the successful 2009 return of Alice in Chains, there's no doubt that their follow-up will be one of the most anticipated albums of 2013. While it may seem like some time has passed between albums, guitarist Jerry Cantrell revealed that bone spurs and cartilage issues initially kept him from proceeding early on, but by late 2011 the group had finally started in on their next disc.

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    Mary Ouellette, Getty Images
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    3

    Avenged Sevenfold

    Over the past decade, Avenged Sevenfold have become one of the biggest hard rock bands on the planet, and it sounds as if the band is aiming high for their next album. Singer M. Shadows recently told Metal Hammer that the disc has a Black Sabbath / Led Zeppelin vibe and that the album will take the band to a "whole new level." The band is planning to head into the studio in late January or early February and release the new album in the summer of 2013.

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    Tool Dissectional
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    2

    Tool

    It's Maynard James Keenan's world, and whichever of his three bands strikes his fancy at the time is typically what we get. Having focused on getting Puscifer off the ground in recent years and doing a tour with A Perfect Circle, it appears that Tool is back on the schedule. In 2010, the band members had started writing for their next record, both with and without Keenan. As of late December, the band was reportedly halfway done, but there's still no word on the album's arrival. Whenever it arrives, fans won't treat the disc merely as a new album, but as an event.

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    Karl Walther, Getty Images
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    1

    Black Sabbath

    2011 brought the announcement that the original Black Sabbath lineup had reunited and were planning a new record. 2012 had its share of setbacks (Tony Iommi's cancer treatment, Bill Ward's contract dispute), but the legendary band has soldiered on. Iommi continued to write with the members through his chemotherapy treatments and Ozzy Osbourne stated in June that they had 15 songs already penned. Not long after their Lollapalooza set, the group returned to the studio, so everything appears to be on track for Black Sabbath releasing one of the most anticipated albums of 2013.

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