Too Heavy To Hug #731
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Too Heavy To Hug #731

Welcome to THTH, Forte’s premier source of all things heavy, hard, fast and metal.

At time of writing, Metallica just announced that they are pledging to donate AUD$750k to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service and to the Victorian Country Fire Authority to aid in relief efforts for the fires that are currently burning across both states.

I’m unclear if that’s $750k per state or if that’s $375k per state they have donated via their All Within My Hands Foundation, but it’s still a pretty decent donation from a band that would have visited Australia late last year had they not cancelled the tour at the last minute due to James’ need to go back to rehab.

However much money the band is donating is commendable, as are all the donations from all over the world, and as someone who has in the past advocated for mental health, with all of the donations coming in for all sorts of causes such as relief and recovery, I hope that the volunteer firefighters themselves are looked after during and after the fires are extinguished. And by looked after I mean offered access to mental health programs and that the costs be covered via donations. Not only the volunteer firefighters but all of the firefighters who assisted throughout the months.

Might also be worth extending these offering of mental health programs to all communities who have also been affected. This could have been a good opportunity for Metallica to donate directly to a relevant mental health cause, as mental health issues obviously directly link with James’ addiction issues which are a direct result as to why I didn’t get to see the band last year, but hey, maybe they don’t want to labour that point too much.

Just letting everyone know that it hasn’t gone unnoticed, nor has the large donation they have put forth. And at the time of writing this, it is expected that the fires will continue to burn across both states for a lot longer, so the money will definitely be put to a good use.

Good guys Metallica strike again!

In other news

Obituary will be at Melbourne’s Max Watts in Saturday, January 18.

Geoff Tate and his band will play Operation Mindcrime in its entirety, plus more, at Melbourne’s Croxton Bandroom on Saturday, February 1.

Okilly Dokilly and Dr Colossus will be at the Corner Hotel on Saturday, February 15.

Cattle Decapitation will play Melbourne’s Max Watts on Wednesday, February 19.

Download Festival featuring Deftones, Carcass, Testament, In Flames, Lacuna Coil, and not much else, will be held at the Melbourne Showgrounds on Friday, March 20.

Blacken Open Air festival will be held over Easter weekend, 2020. Easter Sunday will be April 12. Handy to know if you’re looking for cheap flights to NT well in advance.

Iron Maiden will play Rod Laver Arena on Monday, May 11.

Venom Inc. and Exciter will be at the Northcote Social Club on Saturday, June 13.

Check out this edition’s of THTH’s Spotify playlist by searching for playlist: THTH731 or by searching spotify:user:TooHeavyToHug

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 Taylor
Photo sourced from band socials