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MetalTalk 2020 Review / The Writers: Kahmel Farahani

Continuing our review of 2020, we spoke with esteemed MetalTalk journalist and MTTV host Kahmel Farahani.

Gigs of the year:

Dream Theater
The Black Crowes (unplugged)
Phil X
Burrfest
Matt Pearce & The Mutiny

Most Missed Gig of the year:

Too many to name, but Hellfest, Guns N’ Roses, Genesis, Duran Duran and Thunder spring to mind.

Best Memory of 2020:
Probably seeing Dream Theater from the front row at Hammersmith. Speaking to so many amazing musicians for the MTTV podcast has been a great experience. On a personal level, visiting Turkey was amazing.

Dream Theatre - Hammersmith Apollo. Feb 2020

Hella Rock Festival

Abiding Memory of 2020:
Flying back to London from Beijing in the middle of a Pandemic with my freshly tattooed shoulder is something I won’t forget. Also going to the last Metalworks before Lockdown hit.

Top Three Albums of the Year:
(in no particular order)
Marilyn Manson – We Are Chaos

Kvelertak – Splid

Sturgill Simpson – Cuttin’ Grass Vol 1 & 2

Honourable mentions:

Reb Beach – A View From The Inside

Jeff Scott Soto – Wide Awake (In My Dreamland)

Puscifer – Existential Reckoning

Daxx & Roxane – Daxx & Roxane

Top Five Songs of the Year:

Sturgill Simpson – All the Pretty Colors

Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck – Isolation

KilliT – Born Too Late

AC/DC – Shot In The Dark

Ozzy Osbourne – Under The Graveyard

Photo of Ryan Roxie, guitarist with Alice Cooper

MetalTalk Highlights that I have worked on:
All the MTTV interviews I got to do, particularly with the awesome Ryan Roxie and the absolutely lovely living legend that is Rudy Sarzo. Speaking to Vivian Campbell and getting the new Def Leppard scoop was a huge thrill as well.

MetalTalk favourite reads:
Too many to pick from!! I always feel honoured and humbled to work with such an amazing group of people. One that really stood out was Paul Monkhouse’s article about Thin Lizzy. Another was Steve Ritchie’s interview with Phil Soussan.

Those we lost this year:
Losing King Edward was a big blow and it felt like the end of an era. It was also sad to see the Uriah Heep family lose both Lee Kerslake and Ken Hensley in such a short space of time.

What Are your hopes for 2021:
I hope the world will return to some semblance of normality and sanity. I hope the music and events industries can weather this storm. Finally, I hope everyone makes it into 2021 healthy and happier than they are now.

When Do you Think Concerts will return:
I’m an optimist so I think the big European festivals will take place. I think smaller indoor gigs will trickle back with restrictions and seats in 2021.

First Big Gig:
Hopefully Cheap Trick or Genesis!

2020 in five words:
Unexpected, often trying, frequently rewarding.

2021 hopes in five words:
Out On The Road Again

Sleeve Notes

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