2010. Not as good as 2001, but still okay. Can you believe the year is coming to and end? I barely can. And then I got the job to compile a list of the most important things that happened this year. When I say the most important, I mean the most important in metal. No matter what your mom tells you, nothing is more important than metal.
Make the jump to see what made the list, and bitch about the things that haven’t.
#10: Anthrax settles for a singer
After letting John Bush go, getting back with Joey Belladona, splitting up with Joey Belladona, recording an album with Dan Nelson, letting Dan Nelson go and doing a few shows with John Bush, the band finally settled on Joey Belladona as the one. Fans (and some members of Anthrax) might still be confused, but we can definitely confirm this: Anthrax’s singer is not John Bush.
Sadly, he’s the only one who was honest about it, and there’s just so much of The Big Four wave that you can ride before you crash.
#9 Steven Tyler joins American Idol
No, we don’t give a shit either. The only reason this can make the list is for all the semi-drama that followed. From fellow Aerosmith members to Kid Rock to Sully Erna, everyone gave their opinions on the matter, and on each other. We laughed.
At the very least it’s going to be interesting to see how Steven uses his huge fucking mouth.
#8: System of a Down reunites
So, the money tree doesn’t give its fruits forever. Was it cut down by the All-American Mega-Corporation? Find out on the next SOAD album, if there’s ever gonna be one. As of right now, settle for 2011 being the year SOAD will tour their asses off.
We’re super happy about this, because of one thing – it means they’ll be too busy touring and healing their wounded egos and won’t be making any solo albums, at least for a little while.
#7: Peter Steele Dies
On April 14, the world received news of the death of Peter Steele. Many had hoped it was just another stunt or a joke, but it was not — a pretty real heart failure took Type O Negative frontman out of this world. He was 48, and awesome.
R.I.P. Pete.
#6: Paul Gray found dead
Another band with a long history of fake death reports and another real death this time around — Slipknot’s Paul Gray was found dead in a hotel room in Urbandale, Iowa on May 24. The cause of death was an accidental drug overdose. Sad news for Slipknot fans, but the band decided to stick together (though, just like a real family, not without its quarrels), and they’ll be on the road during next year.
R.I.P. Paul.
#5: Dose of Metal launched
September 20, 2010, a.k.a. metal history in the making. Considering how spontaneous this site came to be, and the fact that by January we will be bigger than Google and Facebook combined, I can say with total confidence that by this time next year, we’ll make Mark Zuckenberg our secretary and hiring The Big Four to play our call waiting tune live every time we get a phone call.
Sit back and enjoy the ride.
#4: Mike Portnoy leaves Dream Theater
This piece of news shocked everyone (who care about them), Dream Theater lost their Sandman. Citing the need to take a five (yet tour with Avenged Sevenfold – though that thing is done as well), Mike Portnoy wanted to put the band on „hiatus.“ Other band members’ view of hiatus was getting a new drummer.
2011 will definitely be an interesting year to follow this whole situation, and see who gets burned in the end. Not that we care, but just saying…
#3: Judas Priest announce retirement
Forty years, that’s quite a lot of time, right? Imagine being in a band for 40 years (well, maybe not in the same band the entire time, but don’t let me lecture you on Judas history)… You get sick at one point and wish to retire and enjoy your bikes and NASCAR cars collection, right?
All kidding aside, this is a sad moment for the metal community, but at least the band decided to say farewell with style: Touring the entire world and letting the fans rock out one last time.
#2: The Big Four tour happens
Seventeen musicians musicians, four bands, one stage, God knows how many fans in the audience and over twenty years of wishful dreaming finally coming true. What else is there to add? Oh yeah, our very own Alex was there. Twice. So let him tell you about it some more.
Yeah, I was the Sofia gig, you can actually spot me in the audience on the DVD. Hit pause at any given time during the concert and look for the sexiest guy there. I remember when the lights were turned off and when they were turned back on, I noticed all the extra gear and thought “Oh shit, it’s happening” — and then it pretty much did. I was expecting them to play a medley of all their greatest songs, to be honest, and it was great seeing Mustaine and Hetfield performing together a few feet in front of me, but I think it could have been much better than just performing “Am I Evil.”
I caught another Big Four gig after that but of course, they didn’t play together again. I remember going to a festival where Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson were on the bill, and they both played one song with each other. It was pretty cool, these guys could have done the same.
Imagine Mustaine playing a mashup of “The Four Horsemen” & “The Mechanix” with Metallica, going back and forth between the tempos and doing a solo battle with Kirk. I mean, so many amazing possibilities, hopefully they think about that if they really tour together again.
Still, I was part of metal history. You weren’t. Alex > you
#1: Ronnie James Dio dies
It might be a downer finishing the list with another death, but life is not all sunshine and flowers, kids. Sometimes it’s broken condoms and stinky labias, but I digress.
After coping with cancer for some time, Ronnie James Dio left the world on May 16, 2010, writing the final pages of one huge book in the metal history. Many people will get sad when they think about this, but Ronnie’s legacy is there to remind you of why this man is cited as a legend and an inspiration to about every band you listen to.
R.I.P. Ronnie.
