LOWALCOHOL BEER IS METAL

And other bold (but also pretty spot on!) thoughts you all shared with us this month METAL UNITED

I think your piece last issue summarising all the great things the metal scene has done in the wake of COVID-19 sums up my feelings entirely. I’m glad bands are still finding ways to do new things and surprise us with fun stuff, be it different merch, online gigs or even just making some playlists for us! It gives me hope in these bleak times.

Laurence Irvin (email)

There is light at the end of this tunnel for us all, friends, we promise. Here’s to all being reunited at a metal gig down the line and singing/screaming/ moshing our silly hearts out.

2021 VISION

With Download having to cancel this year, would it be too much to hope they can just bring this year’s line-up to 2021? I need my Iron Maiden fix! And I was so looking forward to Kiss and Alter Bridge as well. Come on,

Hammer, help make this eager old metalhead’s (next) year!

Hugh Roberts (email)

We were looking forward to Download too, pal, believe us! We’re sure the Download crew are already busily working away to make next year’s line-up another cracker, Maiden or no Maiden (though we’re always happy to have Maiden…).

READ THE ROOM

Just wanted to say that I actually prefer having the extra digital mags and the big playlists as gifts to all the usual stuff. Especially during lockdown – it was nice to have so much extra stuff to read. I end up throwing out things like posters and stickers, but this stuff keeps me going for hours! Nice one, people. Keep it up.

George Carter (email)

We’re glad you’re making the most of it, George. Though don’t be chucking the posters out. If our annual office Secret Santa has taught us anything, it’s that those things make for excellent last-minute wrapping paper.

TRIVI-YUM

I was sceptical after reading the review but I have to say – Trivium really did pull out something magical with What The Dead Men Say. It reminds me a lot of the Shogun era, which isn’t a bad thing as that was my favourite Trivium album. I say ‘was’ because this might have just topped it. Now let’s have a tour (when it’s safe to do so, of course).

Joe Warren (email)

We hate to say we told ya so but we FUCKING TOLD YA SO! It’s always nice when a great band hits peak form and The Trivs are absolute world-beaters again. We wouldn’t say no to a tour, either. When it is, indeed, safe to do so, of course.

ON THE BRINK

Is it me or is Maria Brink so underrated in the metal scene? She’s been breaking down barriers for women in metal for more than a decade but no one seems to give her the same credit as others in rock music that I could mention? Plus, she always looks killer and isn’t ashamed of who she is. I love her! Cover her more, please!

Jess Morgan (Facebook)

Not only that, but that latest In This Moment album does, as the kids used to say, slap. Plus, she has some very cool hats.

THE BEER AND NOW

I can’t believe I’ve seen people actually moaning about Lamb Of God doing a non-alcoholic beer?! Grow up, lads: it’s not the 80s any more, no one’s impressed by you drinking yourself to death every Friday night. As an ex-drinker I’m looking forward to giving it a go and hope more bands do the same. Some of us do actually enjoy a beer without having to get fucked up! Tom Bayliss (Facebook)

Cool with us, fella. We welcome beer in all its forms. The Ghost