Too Heavy to Hug

Welcome to THTH, Forte’s premier source of all things heavy, hard, fast and metal.
Another year, another opportunity to put the Soundwave line-up under the microscope – which seems pretty one-sided this time around with plenty of non-metal big names like Soundgarden, Faith No More, Incubus, New Found Glory, Fall Out Boy and All Time Low outnumbering the familiar metal drawcards such as Lamb of God, Fear Factory, Slipknot and Marilyn Manson. Soundwave 2015 newcomers are Ministry and Judas Priest, which is not bad but they truly added a heap more nostalgia to the already nostalgia-heavy line-up which also includes nostalgic punks Area 7 and Lagwagon. The surprise inclusion this time around is definitely Mayhem.
As usual the kids are going to be hanging out for Soundwave, but again it’s getting all a bit samey. Yes, there’s big name old acts and a handful of new acts and some obscure acts, so pretty much everything for everybody except for people over, say, 30, who have either already seen a lot of those bands or don’t want to see a lot of those bands.
In other news…
Dream Deceivers, the 1992 documentary about the Judas Priest suicide trail, has finally been released on DVD and digital download.
DevilDriver and Whitechapel will be at 170 Russell on Sunday, September 7.
John Garcia will not only play The Espy’s Gershwin Room but will also be available for signings and a meet and greet before the show on Friday, September 12.
Cannibal Corpse will play 170 Russell on Friday, September 12.
Veruca Salt will play The Corner on Friday, September 26 and Tuesday, September 30 to sold-out audiences. Another show has been added at The Corner Hotel on Wednesday, October 1.
Flying Colors, consisting of Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse and Mike Portnoy on drums amongst others, will release their new album, Second Nature, on Friday, October 3.
Sepultura will be at 170 Russell on Friday, October 3.
Skate punks Comeback Kid will play Central Club in Richmond on Saturday, October 18 and an AA gig at Phoenix Youth Centre in Footscray on Sunday, October 19.
Aussie hardcore rats Confession will play Central Club in Richmond on Saturday, October 25 and an AA gig at Phoenix Youth Centre in Footscray on Sunday, October 26.
Ne Obliviscaris will release their new album, Citadel, on Friday, November 7. They also kick off their national Citadel tour in Melbourne at 170 Russell on Friday, November 21.
Gorguts will play the Northcote Social Club on Friday, November 14.
Toxic Holocaust and Iron Reagan will be at The Reverence in Footscray on Sunday, November 16.
Prong will play The Hi-Fi on Friday, November 21.
Primordial are slated to release their new album, Where Greater Men Have Fallen, on Friday, November 21.
Body Count will release their new album, Manslaughter, later this year.
The 2015 Melbourne Soundwave festival will be held on Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22.
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
By Paul S Taylor