Time of all of us here to tell you lot what you missed out on in 2015. We’ve got a few categories and you’ll see posts from most of us pop up over the next couple of days before the new year! Here’s 2015 according to your humble (!) editor…
Best albums
There are in no particular order as they’re all so different. I have to say that this year has been particularly difficult, partly as a few of the ones I would have picked actually came out in 2014 and I only discovered them this year so they don’t qualify! This top five was narrowed down from a shortlist four times that length.
- Ryan Hamilton – Hell of a Day
- Powerwolf – Blessed & Possessed
- Five Finger Death Punch – Got Your Six
- The V – Now or Never
- Tragedy – The Solo Albums
(Bubbling under: Dendera – Death Be Thy Shepherd, Patent Pending – Riot Hearts Rebellion)
Best live shows
I think I missed more great shows than I managed to go to this year. The number of bands on tour was simply staggering, perhaps a result of the change in the music industry and the way that playing live is now a major part of a band’s income? Again, in no particular order. I simply could not narrow this list down any further so you’re getting a top ten. Two bands actually manage to appear twice, each in one and one headline role.
- Fear Factory / Once Human / Dead Label – Glasgow Garage, 12th December Brilliant celebration of a brilliant album and with two very capable acts
- Anthrax – Glasgow Cathouse, 26th Nov How could this not be in the list? First full headline set I’ve seen from Anthrax in far too long
- Slayer / Anthrax / Kvelertak – O2 Academy Glasgow, 25th Nov Anthrax make it onto the list twice, this time part of a great line-up (let down only by Kvelertak’s shit sound)
- Sepultura / Evile / Reign of Fury – Classic Grand, Glasgow (18th November) Another anniversary celebration and another brilliant 3-headed line-up
- Deathcrusher (Carcass / Obituary / Napalm Death / Voivod / Herod) – Glasgow Barrowlands, 24th October Stunning line-up and one of the gigs of the year without a doubt
- Reel Big Fish / Suburban Legends – Glasgow Garage, 23rd October Hugely enjoyable sets from two of the most entertaining bands on the go. A shame one of them is retiring from touring
- Weird Al Yankovic – Glasgow O2 ABC, 9th October A masterpiece of entertainment and one of the best of the best shows this year
- Suburban Legends / MC Lars – Broadcast, Glasgow (17th April) These two played off each other very well and it turns out this could be the last headline set from SL I ever get to see
- Tragedy / The Bill – Audio, Glasgow (13th Feb) Local lads The Bill did well to open for the utter madness that is Tragedy, a band that everyone should catch
- Steel Panther / Skindred / The Lounge Kittens – O2 Academy, Glasgow (9th March) Skindred don’t do it for me at all, but The Lounge Kittens and Steel Panther are both great value for money any time you get the chance to see them
Best venue
Wilston Lodge – current home of the Wildfire festival. I felt that I couldn’t really include Wildfire in the “gigs” list so here it is. Wildfire was superb this year. Well organised, great atmosphere, reasonably priced and in a great location with surprisingly good sound given its temporary nature.
Best news
Ex Deo reforming for another album which should be out next year.
Lawnmower Deth on Radio 2 and pushing for that number one spot tomorrow. I don’t think they’ll make it but the simple fact that it happened is incredible.
Lemmy reaching 70 years of age.
Worst news
The Paris attacks and associated deaths are obviously going to top the lists of many people and correctly so. In addition, I just heard that Suburban Legends are quitting touring (boo!). As ever, a saddening number of deaths of band and it’s unfair to pick any out as “worse” than any other, but a particularly media-spanning ing of note was that of the legendary Christopher Lee.
In 2016, I’m looking forward to…
Maybe getting to go to Bloodstock, if only to see Twisted Sister play for one last time. And taking my son to his first ever proper gig, the day before his 8th birthday. Keep an eye out for the little rocker if you’re heading to Sabaton / Alestorm at Barrowlands!
