DON’T FORGET AUSTRALIA!
And other pleas and curious thoughts you lot had this month
GRAY SKIES
How can it be 10 years since we lost Paul? I don’t believe it, Metal Hammer, stop lying to me! It made me sad at first to think of us having to lose him so soon, but it was also nice getting to remember the good times and the songs he left us with. Cheers, fuckers!
One Grateful Maggot (email)
We couldn’t believe it either, but time stands still for none of us. We’re glad we could bring Slipknot fans the kind of celebration that Paul’s life and amazing career deserved. We still miss him.
BULLET FOR MY VALEN-WHINE
Gravity was a big disappointment. There was only one hard rock song on the whole album. Hopefully Bullet For My Valentine learn from their mistakes and make heavier songs on their next album.
David Jones (Facebook)
It was certainly an interesting sidestep for Wales’ biggest metal band. We would absolutely back a proper return to the heavy stuff, though.
WITHIN LIMITS?
I know this new Within Temptation direction has confused some fans but I think it’s great and bands have to keep moving forward. If they were just rehashing Mother Earth 20 years later people would moan at them for being stale. You can’t keep some people happy! Gillian Moore (Facebook)
Yup, sticking to the same ol’ formula has been the death of many a band, alright. Not AC/DC, though. And fair play to them.
HALL OF SHAME
You’ve done four bands in the
Metal Hammer Podcast Hall Of Fame but haven’t touched Black Sabbath yet? For shame! The band that started metal! Surely they’re worthy of a debate? Come on, guys.
Gary Way (email)
Sabbath will absolutely be in the mix soon, we just want to make sure we have the right panel of people when we do it. In the meantime, you can find our Hall Of Fame debates on Marilyn Manson, Iron Maiden, Slipknot and Korn wherever your podcasts are served. Enjoy!
PAUL GOODMAN
I’m so glad that Paul Gray is getting the recognition now. It’s amazing how many ‘fans’ still don’t know how important he was to Slipknot’s early days and how many songs he had a massive part in. He made that band, despite what others say! Rest In Power, Paul!
Nick Harris (Facebook)
Quite right! It’s OK if people don’t always know the full story with bands, though – that’s exactly what we’re here for. Now, we suddenly have a hankering to play Psychosocial extra-loudly.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
With it looking increasingly likely that we won’t get to go to any proper metal shows until 2021, I think it’s more important than ever that we buy band merch and physical albums. I want my favourite bands to be able to come through the other side of all of this still able to tour and make a living, so dig deep into your pockets, people!
James Vernon (Facebook)
We’ll have to agree with you there. In fact, Editor Merl’s been snapping up so many new band tees in the last few months that he’s gonna have to get a second wardrobe.
EDDIE DOWN UNDER
With Maiden having to postpone their Australia dates until 2022 I’m worried that many bands
from outside of Aus will forget about us. Please don’t, everyone! Australia needs metal!
Jade Holland (Facebook)
It’s been a hard few months on any of us looking forward to gigs that were supposed to happen in 2020 (so, that’s pretty much all of us, then), but don’t worry; there’s not a chance that metal will forget about our brothers and sisters down under. You gave us Parkway Drive, after all.
MAIDEN FC
I like that Iron Maiden are doing different football shirts now – we need to remember that plenty of metalheads are also sportsheads! As a lifelong rugby fan, though, I’m hoping we get something for us ‘egg ball’ lovers too!
David Burnon (email)
Does Rocket League count as a sport? ’Cause if so, we are as sporty as they come.
LISTS = NOT SHIT
I absolutely loved the Avenged Sevenfold and Slipknot Greatest Songs mini-mags you put in your recent issues. Could we have one for Machine Head next, please? Now
there’s a band it’d be hard to pick just 20 for. Imperium better be in there, though.
Matt Hayes (email)
Yeah, we like to cause ourselves a migraine or two with these lists apparently, so we’ll absolutely be doing more of them soon. Machine Head are a brilliant shout – though given that The Blackening alone could fill up nearly half the list, that’s not one we’re too eager to start arguing over yet…