Music / Previews
Metal & Prog Picks: January 2020
How come everything that’s good and unholy this month is at the Thekla? Not that we’re complaining. It’s a fine venue. All aboard the boat!
Thekla, Jan 8
is needed now More than ever
Lamb of God’s Academy show in April is likely to be one of the rowdiest of the year. But if you want to ease your way gently into 2020, guitarist Mark Morton’s acoustic gig is the perfect choice. The Thekla show is actually his debut solo performance on UK soil, as it kicks off his first run of dates outside North America. Expect to hear stuff from his Anesthetic album, which was released last March and features loads of his rock chums, including Mark Lanegan, Chuck Billy, Myles Kennedy, Josh Todd, Randy Blythe and Alyssa White-Gluz. Don’t expect any of them to show up, mind. Support comes from InMe frontman Dave McPherson, who’ll also be doing the mellow acoustic thing.
Thekla, Jan 9
A treat for fans of comedy metal from Evil Scarecrow to Alestorm and Okilly Dokilly (whaddya mean you’ve never heard of the Ned Flanders-fixated metallers?), LA’s Nekrogoblikon’s amusing videos have achieved zillions of YouTube views, although this hasn’t translated into huge album sales. As the name suggests, they’re entirely goblin-oriented. They also earn extra kudos for releasing an album entitled Heavy Meta.
Thekla, Jan 11
If you’re only familiar with Heather’s prog ventures with the likes of Mostly Autumn and Odin Dragonfly, her new album Wild White Horses may come as something of a surprise. Having sung backing vocals on Thunder’s Rip It Up, she joined forces with co-writer and producer Luke Morley to pursue a more classic rock/Americana direction with celeb chums Troy Donockley of Nightwish, Thunder vocalist Danny Bowes and Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson. Now she’s touring this eclectic collection of songs for the first time with her new band.
Thekla, Jan 26
Chart toppers back home in metal-loving Finland, veteran melodic death metallers Insomnium are now up to their eighth album, Heart Like a Grave, which is the first to feature newest member and Sonata Arctica co-founder Jani Liimatainen on guitar. This has proven to be their biggest commercial success, though they’re perhaps best known for the Viking concept album Winter’s Gate, which comprises a single, epic 40 minute track. It’s probably too much to hope that they’ll play it in full tonight. Support comes from rising Brit metallers Conjurer, whom Kerrang! recently named as one of the ’21 Hottest Live Bands on Earth Right Now’.
Thekla, Jan 28
Truth be told, there’s nothing remotely metal about the music of LA’s Twin Temple. But metalheads love ’em, they’ve played the Roadburn festival, they’re signed to Lee Dorrian’s estimable Rise Above label, and their brand of inclusive feminist Satanism chimes perfectly with our outsider world. So we’re bloody well going to have them. “What would it sound like if Amy Winehouse hadn’t sung about rehab and broken hearts but channelled Satan instead?” asked Metal Hammer rhetorically when attempting to categorise Twin Temple’s distinctive brand of ‘Satanic Doo-Wop’. Yes, that’s right kids – great Satanic rock needn’t necessarily be metal – though most of it is, obviously. “Why can’t you love Roy Orbison and hail Satan at the same time?” demands British-Korean singer Alexandra James, who co-founded Twin Temple with her guitarist hubby Zachary. “Satanism has been relegated to the metal scene for so long, but we are Satanists and listen to The Platters and Buddy Holly, you know? We love metal too, but this is a reflection of who we are as people.” And they sure have some catchy ditties, including The Devil (Didn’t Make Me Do It), Satan’s a Woman, Sex Magick (with its splendid NSFW vid) and that sweet love ballad Let’s Hang Together. They also boast the distinction of being denounced by the buffoonish Alex Jones of InfoWars – purveyor of right-wing conspiracy theories to the hard of thinking. Be sure to take a bulging wallet, because you’re certain to covet all their merch – especially that Baphomette pin badge and Doo-Wop Thou Wilt guitar pick.
COMING SOON
Here’s our essential diary of upcoming gigs that should be of interest to anyone of a rockin’ disposition.
Steel Panther, O2 Academy, Feb 5
3Teeth, Thekla, Feb 5
Delain, Anson Rooms, Feb 8
The Hu, O2 Academy, Feb 10
New Year’s Day, Fleece, Feb 26
Testament/Exodus/Death Angel, O2 Academy, March 3
Grand Magus, Fleece, March 5
Ken Pustelnik’s Groundhogs/Stray, Thekla, March 5
Alcest, Fleece, March 6
Korpiklaani, Thekla, March 17
Anvil, Exchange, March 18
Snake Oil & Harmony, Fleece, March 18
Sons of Liberty, Thekla, March 21
Hayseed Dixie, Fleece, March 31
Tony Macalpine, Exchange, April 7
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Thekla, April 18
Lamb of God/Kreator/Power Trip, O2 Academy, April 21
Ian Anderson, St. George’s April 21
Chon, Fleece, April 24
Redd Kross, Exchange, April 30
Van Der Graaf Generator, Forum, Bath, May 7
Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, Forum, Bath, May 12
Jizzy Pearl’s Love/Hate, Fleece, Sept 5
WASP, SWX, Oct 1
Jethro Tull, Forum, Bath, Oct 13
Status Quo, Forum, Bath, Oct 17
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