Welcome to THTH, Forte’s premier source of all things heavy, hard, fast and metal.
It definitely looks like this year is shaping up to be one of the most important years in Australian heavy metal. Last fortnight we here at THTH discussed the super kick-arse news about the upcoming release of Metal Down Under: A History of Australian Heavy Metal on DVD, and now this issue we have even more super kick-arse news about another totally super f*ckin awesome release: The Encyclopedia of Australian Heavy Metal! But, like all unbelievably good things in life, there’s a catch. The catch with The Encyclopedia of Australian Heavy Metal is that at the time of writing this the project requires another $2,395 of crowdfunded dosh in less than a month to make the book Pozible (geddit? The project currently has $5,605 of its needed $8,000 target).
The book will be a 400-page, hardcover behemoth and will attempt to capture every musician, every band and every release, “no matter how apparently inconsequential”, permanently between its covers. It’s going to be compiled by writer, radio broadcaster, long-term Aussie metal fan and all-round good guy Brian Giffin. Oh, and the full colour cover artwork will be by the God of acid-prog-metal himself, artist and Alchemist guitarist Roy Torkington. If you haven’t already pledged to make this monument of Aussie metal history a reality you can do so by using the internet and putting some words together in a search engine – I dunno, I ain’t your teacher and sure as hell ain’t going to teach you how to look things up on the computer.
In other news…
Neurosis will play The Corner Hotel TONIGHT – Thursday, August 7.
Metal Down Under: A History of Australian Heavy Metal will be released on Friday, August 22.
Anathema will be at The Corner Hotel on Saturday, August 23.
Opeth will release their new album Pale Communion on Tuesday, August 26.
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.
Sepultura will be at 170 Russell on Friday, October 3.
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
Written by Paul S Taylor