We here at The Metalist love a good list. Continuing on. With our retrospective outlook before we move into the new age of 2015 we have decided to make a notable events list. From the unfortunate deaths of our celebrated artists to bands that have reformed or broken up. Although we’re sure they we have left some things out here are some of the most noteworthy events of the year!
This is the definite 2014 events list!
This year saw many different events occur, in the melodic death metal camp we saw the departure of long time vocalist Angela Gossow in March. Stating that she would continue, now as the bands manager Arch Enemy were looking for a new singer. Step in Alyssa White-Gluz, the fantastic new singer saw the band rebirth from the stagnant nature they had previously. In more departures long time guitarist Nick Cordle decided that he would exit the band to be replaced by none other than Jeff Loomis himself. Releasing War Eternal the same year, it’s been an ever changing year in the Arch Enemy camp but an exciting one at that! Shortly after this line up change we saw the departure first of all of Megadeth drummer Shawn Drover, then followed the very next day the departure of guitarist Chris Broderick. It is now rumoured that the pair departed Megadeth to create their own project.
In more somber news 2014 saw the permanent departure of some of the truly nicest metal heads we know. One being Dave Brockie of GWAR fame, the singer died on March 23rd tributes were pouring in throughout the metal community. Following from the distressing news of Brockie, although not quite directly in the metal spectrum his artwork influenced countless bands to no end, HR Giger was pronounced dead on May 12th being a huge inspiration behind some of metals most iconic artwork and not to mention the bio mech guitar of the nineties. Nearing the end of the year it was also announced the Wayne Static of Static X died on November 1st, along with the very saddening news just a week later Jonathan Athon from Black Tusk was dead on November 9th. Take a moment for all these talented stars that left us this year, rest in peace.
In any year there are always bands that decide to call it quits, however this year it seems that the metal core burst that was prominent in the early 2000’s might be seeing its last days. Following a mass exodus Chimaira stated that the band would be calling it quits, Shadows Fall also announced that this would be the end of the line in a hiatus, not before Bleeding Through would announce that there would be one more farewell tour before the band threw in he towel. It’s worth noting also that everyone bar Michael Keene has now left The Faceless, perhaps the band will call it a day or perhaps Keene will struggle on, we shall see in 2015!
Slightly later on in the year we saw the reformed Coal Chamber get back to it, after playing Slipknot’s first ever festival, Knotfest, Devildriver announced that both guitarist and drummer would exit the band, meaning that Devildriver was now on hiatus. After releasing the flop that was Obsideo, Pestilence decided enough was enough, although personally I was fond of the album! And finally one of the grindcore legends Brutal Truth finished up.
Although not everyone was breaking up some bands reformed, Atreyu announced their return since their 2010 hiatus, Slipknot at long last retuned, with their first album in six years along with the departure of Joey Jordison and first without bassist Paul Gray whilst on the death metal front At The Gates returned with their first new album in nineteen years. Although the members of Obscura may have quit Alkaloid was now formed. Made up of members of Dark Fortress, Necrophagist,Obscura and Aborted they will sure to be one to look out for next year. Steve “Zetro” Souza returned to Exodus after for the first time since 2004 reigniting the fire behind the band.
It seems that some were on Santa’s naughty list, to put it mildly. With the evidence that Tim Lambesis of previous As I Lay Dying fame was trying to have his wife killed hiring a hit man that turned out to be an undercover police officer. Resulting in Lambesis being sentenced to six years in prison and his previous band mates forming Wovenwar. A similar case occurred with AC/DC on the eve of releasing their brand new album drummer Phil Rudd got into a little bother once again with a hit man in tow. This didn’t stop them from selling out Wembley Stadium in an hour though… In other AC/DC news we were saddened to hear that Malcolm Young was diagnosed with dementia and as such will not be returning to the band. We are also more wary of the perils of crowd funding, as Nachtmystium’s own Blake Judd decided to essentially take the money and run after a plethora of online merch was never delivered.
Creed vocalist, Scott Stapp also lost his mind.
Amidst all the seemingly endless doom and gloom we must all remember that this year saw some truly phenomenal albums released, some exemplary shows being performed and some great new bands emerged. Not to mention we’re pretty thankful, The Metalist has now been going for five months and we are grateful to all of our readers, even if it’s just a quick skim here or there, if you think we’re totally wrong and disagree, or we all share the same mentality. Whatever may have happened throughout the year, one thing is a constant, that everyone in the metal community will continue to hate Black Veil Brides!
Here’s to an excellent 2015 guys, thank you all so much once again. Stay Metal.
