Gigs keep happening every other weekend in England, but then there are a few exclusive ones that should not be missed. Here’s a list of six metal events that are going to shake United Kingdom to its foundations.
1. Destroyers of the Faith 2012 featuring Cannibal Corpse, Triptykon, Enslaved and Job For A Cowboy
The season kicks off with Destroyers of the Faith 2012. The gigantic death metal owners Cannibal Corpse are going to headline this event organized by none other than Metal Hammer. Supporting them would be this ass-kicking doom metal band from Switzerland Triptykon, Norwegian black/viking outfit Enslaved and deathcore band Job For A Cowboy. Nice balance of genres, and one gig that should not be missed.
When? – March second week
2. DesertFest 2012, London
Just have a look at the poster. Isn’t it fucking beautiful? The only festival in the world catering to the stoner, doom, psych and sludge metal fans, DesertFest has more than fifty bands playing across three venues. And the bands are not your formed yesterday playing today type. They are the best in the scene and you are sure to feel the pleasure in every corner of your body. That is what these genres do to you. Miss this event at your own risk!
When? – Easter weekend (6th, 7th and 8th April, 2012)
3. I’ll Be Your Mirror 2012, London
As if Slayer‘s presence on the I’ll Be Your Mirror 2012 line up was not enough and now we are told the angry thrashers are going to play the ‘Reign in Blood’ album in its entirety. This event could possibly turn out to be the last gig for many metalheads as a lot of blood is going to be shed but I cannot die here because I have to move on to greener pastures post this event. The next few points would make it clear. I’m excited about all the bands that are playing on day one at I’ll Be Your Mirror. Go on, find out which ones I’m talking about.
When? – 25th, 26th and 27th May, 2012
4. Judas Priest Epitaph tour’s London gig
This is Judas Priest‘s last world tour, so if you’ve missed them somewhere, you’ve just, missed them. But you can still catch the heavy metal awesomeness if you would be in and around London towards the last week of May. This could actually be the last time you will be able to catch Judas Priest live, so make all your other plans either before or after the weekend in question. I know you have nothing better to do so just take my advice and book your tickets.
When? – 26th May
5. Download Festival 2012
Everyone who is even remotely connected to metal cannot be unaware of this name and Download’s one festival that happens every year. Then what is it that makes this mother of all events special this year? It is the festival’s tenth anniversary. The poster pretty much makes it clear what it’s going to be like but I’ll leave it to your imagination to visualize how massive this festival would be. If everything else fails to inspire you then remember that this is the only place where Black Sabbath are going to make an appearance this summer. There is only one word that can be used for those of you who are going to give this festival a miss. And that is stupid. No, it should be STUPID.
When? – 8th, 9th, 10th June, 2012
6. Bloodstock Open Air, 2012
Well, well, well. Words fail me when I look at the Bloodstock Open Air 2012 announcement. One time I think that there is no band that has been left out and another time I wish that they add a few more names. Greedy and needy. It is just March right now and five months down the line the below poster can easily be used to just obliterate the weak. Get into a fight and show the BOA 2012 poster. According to me, Bloodstock this year has some of the most extreme names on it’s bill and would be one of the biggest metal gathering of 2012.
When? – 10th, 11th, 12th August, 2012
I deliberately skipped Sonisphere because it brings me face to face with a dull and unexciting list of bands. I absolutely love Ghost but the organizers of Sonisphere don’t love me. Let’s see how the coming months would affect my decision of not going for this festival that rocked the metal world by bringing together the big four of thrash in 2010.
Other mentions (not metal) – Fans of Red Hot Chili Peppers can catch them in the last week of June, and Pearl Jam maniacs need to attend the second day of Isle of Wight festival so obviously you need to buy the entire day’s ticket and put yourself through the rest of the acts as well. Not cool. Sadly I’m not watching both of these bands, but I just hope Adele plays one show in UK this year. I’ll book my ticket – first day, first show.
For now bookmark this page and pick your gig sensibly. I’ll see you at all six of them.
Absurd History 