Continuing our review of 2020, next up is MetalTalk’s From The Abyss columnist Jools Green.
Did you go to any real gigs earlier this year? What was your favourite? Any great memories?
Yes, in January:
Enthroned/Schammasch/Caronte/ Vehement at the Boston Music Room, London.
Dimmu Borgir/Amorphis at the O2 Forum Kentish Town. London.
Abbath/ 1349/Vltimas/ Nuclear at Islington Assembly Hall. London.
And in March:
Vader/Defiled/Chronosphere at The Underworld, London.
Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult at Nambucca, London.
All of which were memorable gigs but the most memorable was the rare appearance of Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult, their first in 15 years and we all knew deep down that not only were we taking a risk being at this gig, given what was on the horizon, but it would also be our last gig for a while. Although I do not think anyone there thought it would be as long or as bad as it has been.
Which cancelled gig did you miss the most?
Destruction / Warbringer / Crisix at The Dome, London which should have been on my birthday in April and was rescheduled for this December, but was permanently cancelled when it was apparent it could not go ahead. I’m too old to get my birthday cancelled.
Your best memory of 2020?
Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult at Nambucca London
Your abiding memory of 2020?
The misery of Covid 19 and everything it has robbed us of…
Top three albums of the year?
A difficult choice as the one thing this year has not been short on is great Metal albums. but if I’m boxed into a corner:
Furnace – Dark Vistas
Revolting – Shadow at the Worlds End
H8teball – Undead EP
Top five songs of the year?
Suburban Nightmare – Furnace
1888 – Revolting
Black Mamba – H8ball
Anaal Nathrakh – Endarkenment
Progenitors of a New Paradigm – Benediction
MetalTalk highlights that you worked on?
By the end of the year I will have done over 60 reviews for MetalTalk alone so it’s hard to pinpoint anything specific.
What are your hopes for 2021?
Some form of normality and a return to gigs.
When do you think concerts will return?
I am almost too afraid to consider this, but hopefully by the summer.
When do you think your first big gig will be?
Rebellion 4 day Punk Festival – Blackpool
Or
Solempnytys Festival MMXXI Â – Plymouth (affectionately known locally as Dan Fest after its creator)
I have earlier events penciled in but I doubt they will happen.
2020 in five words?
A nightmare and a washout
2021 hopes in five words?
A non-repeat of 2020
