Too Heavy To Hug #700

Welcome to THTH, Forte’s premier source of all things heavy, hard, fast and metal.
I talk a lot about the anniversary release of old albums because not only are they cash cows for the bands, but because they’re a marker in time and in these days of the internet and social media, it appears we’re all pining to look back on times when they were simpler, pre internet days, days when we were young. With that, it appears that next year Slipknot are looking to do something “special” for the 20th anniversary of their self titled release which more than likely includes a re-release said album. Whilst many Slipknot fans will love reliving their youth, I just wonder what’s next? In 2021 will the band look at a 20th anniversary release of Iowa? And from there, what? A 20th anniversary release of Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) in 2024?
Are we literally expected to relive Slipknot’s early career over the next 5 – 6 years like we’re doing the time warp, again? Also, word is the band are to release a new album next year too, which will totally throw out this history repeating cash cow thing bands are doing. I’m confused, are we living in the past or the present or the future?
In other news
Eye Of The Enemy, Fall and Resist, As Flesh Decays, Interitum and Distorta will all play Ballarat’s Eastern Hotel on Friday October 19.
Disturbed will release their new album Evolution on Friday October 19.
Pig Destroyer will play The Arthouse on Tuesday October 30.
The Ocean will release their new album Phanerozoic I: Palaezoic on Friday November 2.
Opeth will release Garden of the Titans: Live at Red Rocks Ampitheatre on Friday November 2.
Parkway Drive, Killswitch Engage and Thy Art Is Murder will play Margaret Court Arena on Friday November 2.
Psycroptic will release their new album As The Kingdom Drowns on Wednesday November 7.
Conan and Bell Witch be at Max Watts on Thursday November 8.
Architects will release their new album Holy Hell on Friday November 9.
Sinsaenum will play Max Watts on Saturday November 10.
An Evening With Steven Wilson will take place at the Palais Theatre on Saturday November 10.
Amon Amarth will release The Pursuit Of Vikings: 25 Years In The Eye Of The Storm, a retrospective documentary and a live album, on Friday November 16.
Amenra, YLVA and LO! will be at Max Watts on Saturday November 17.
The Metal in the Mountains 2018 day festival featuring I Am Duckeye, Grindhouse, Monarchus, As Flesh Decays, plus more, will be held at Beechworth’s Servicemen’s Memorial Hall on Saturday November 24.
Psycroptic will play Geelong’s Barwon Club on Wednesday November 28, then Ballarat’s Karova Lounge on Thursday November 29.
The 10th annual Progfest featuring The Ocean and Monuments, with more to be announced, will be held at Melbourne’s The Croxton on Saturday January 26.
Devin Townsend will release his new album Empath in March 2019.
Download 2019 will be held at Flemmington Racecourse on Monday March 11.
Soilwork will be at Max Watts on Saturday March 16.
If you have any news about local metal bands, shows or albums, let THTH know by emailing to [email protected] or get in touch via Twitter at @TooHeavyToHug
Written by Paul S Taylor