The phrase “time doesn’t stand still” has never felt more apparent than this year. In fact, and in more universal terms, it has gone by quicker than Ange Postecoglou’s balls-up at Nottingham Forest. But as ever, in the rock and Heavy Metal cosmos, it has been a year for resonating new music, unforgettable gigs and memories cemented for life.
Of course, as well as the highs, there are always lows, and we experienced massive ones this year. From a MetalTalk point of view, the biggest one was losing our founder, Steve Göldby. I never got to meet Steve, which is a big regret, but through my colleagues and numerous messages of praise, encouragement and the odd bollocking, I still felt a friendship. A mould-destroying legend who will never be forgotten.
On 22 July, just over a fortnight after his farewell concert with Black Sabbath in Birmingham, we lost The Prince Of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne. While his music will undoubtedly live on, the sadness and hard acceptance of his leaving us is something that will take a very long time to heal.
That same pain is no doubt felt right through the Kiss army with the death of the much-loved Ace Frehley. Despite Simmons and Stanley undoubtedly being the band’s front of house, many will tell you the band just was not the same animal without the Spaceman.
Now to the best of’s, and I do not mind saying that these can be a right pain in the tubes. It is a cliché, but it really is like choosing your favourite child. The only difference is that great music does not drive you up the friggin’ wall. So before I change my mind, here goes.
Best live shows:
The Run For Your Lives World Tour touched down in North County Dublin with its brand new bells and whistles and mouth-watering setlist. The London legends are still showing no signs of career fatigue after 50 years of relentless touring, and this show in the grounds of the majestic Malahide Castle was stonewall evidence of that.
No doubt my favourite moment was Bruce Dickinson waving the Irish flag during The Trooper, and in my native Dublin, it does not get much better than that.
It does not matter where The Darkness play, they are always great value, and on a hot August night, they rocked up to Custom House Square and delivered a set of extreme jollity that only The Darkness can.
With the stage set up between the historic Custom House building and blocks of modern apartments, with residents taking full advantage of the vantage point, the unconventionality of it all just added to the magic.
Highlight was Justin Hawkins choreographing the crowd into a military march during Walking Through Fire, wonderfully cheesy.
You always know what you are going to get with a Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons gig, full-blown rock ‘n’ roll barbarity of the highest order.
And this explosive salute to 50 years of Motörhead madness did exactly what it said on the tin. It was just non-stop, punch after punch of Kilmister uppercuts. Highlight was my 6’3″ son nabbing a setlist off Campbell from three deep in the crowd. Height pays.
Top albums.
They might tell you different, but the Lowestoft boys have never released a dud of an album. But with Dream On Toast, they truly outdone themselves with themes including flatulence and long snogs in Scottish orchards. Key tracks: The Longest Kiss, I Hate Myself.
Proving the hugely impressive self-titled debut was not a case of beginner’s luck, album number two from this engaging transatlantic union tells us they will be knocking about for a while yet. Key tracks: Blindsided, Beyond The Pale.
Everything you have heard about these guys is true. This ridiculously exciting Irish outfit went for the jugular with this statement-making debut album. Key tracks: Lead The Way, See How You’ve Come So Far.
Most Memorable Moment At MetalTalk.
Easy, covering Iron Maiden at Malahide Castle with my MetalTalk brother Steve Ritchie. The day started with fantastic sets from The Raven Age and Halestorm, and rounded off with a few Heinekens and Maiden’s majesty.
Our endless bus journey back to Dublin City centre was rewarded with umpteen sherbets in Eddie’s Dive Bar and a right aul sing-song, then a wobble back to our respective hotels. Cheers for making the trip from Blighty, Steve. See you at Knebworth.
Looking Forward To In 2026
Looking forward to my fellow Irishmen, XIII Doors, hopefully pushing on from their roaring start and gaining some well-deserved ground.
Iron Maiden, along with The Darkness, Airbourne, The Almighty and The Hu at Knebworth next July, is the one date that is illuminating my calendar the most. And even better, it will turn into a MetalTalk meet-up too, happy days.
So here’s to a loud and memorable 2026. And massive thanks to all you MetalTalk readers around the world, for taking precious time to read our articles and help keep us the best rock and Metal site on the planet.
We do not exist without you.
