Dani Filth isn’t an icon

Regarless of whether you think Cradle of Filth‘s frontman, Dani Filth is an icon or not, it doesn’t matter, because the judges of the U.K.’s Choose Suffolk (why would anyone choose Suffolk? Seriously) Icons contest have kindly decided for you, that he is not.

Despite gaining 13,025 votes, 11,806 more than the nearest rival, in the Suffolk Icons contest, Dani Filth was dropped from the contest, for, what seems like, no reason at all. Other than the judges are probably old farts that don’t want to see any “horrid” Metal polluting their contest and county. Hey, can’t say I blame them though, and it’s not like Cradle of Filth are real Metal anyways.

More information can be found here.

Gwynbleidd reveal working album title

American (and surprisingly not Welsh) Progressive Metallers, Gwynbleidd, have revealed the working title for their forthcoming album, as Ascendance.

Other than that, I must admit I know very little about Gwynbleidd. In fact, I haven’t even got a clue how to pronounce their name, although I’m sure you need half a pint of phlegm in the back of your throat to even get close to pronouncing it right.

Maybe you have heard of this band though and maybe you care. If you do, you can find more information here. Personally though, I stray away from anything that sounds a little too Lord of the Rings-ish…

Nightwish bassist: ‘we’re not a pop band’

Nightwish bassist/vocalist, Marco Hietala has recently commented on the recording process for the follow-up to 2007’s “Dark Passion Play” stating that, so far, most of the bass tracks have been recorded. Which is news to me, since I had hoped assumed the band had split up a couple of years ago, after the female-fronted, gothic, pretend Metal fad had died out.

Marco goes on to say that the tracks ‘need more explosives’ claiming that Nightwish “afterall, aren’t a pop band.”

Of course you’re not Marco… We believe you. More info can be found here.

The year 2010 in retrospect

We’re 5 days into the new year and I can’t help myself but reflect the past year. 2010 brought us a lot of good music and a lot of sad news. Legends died, other legends released new music. The circle of life, sometimes it’s bittersweet.

Make the jump to see what I make of the last year.

Metallica photo exhibition

In case you’re one of the 4 people of this world without constant internet access, you might be interested in a photo exhibition happening in London. Yes, actual photos in a gallery, not on Flickr. I know, right? Fucking cavemen.

“Titled “Fade To Black: Metallica By Bill Hale”, it chronicles the band in their early years, photographed by Hale between 1982 and 1984. This includes the lineup featuring Dave Mustaine and Ron McGovney, the first gig with Cliff Burton, the last show in the Bay Area with Mustaine and Kirk Hammett‘s live debut in San Francisco.  The exhibition runs from February 3 to April 3.“

More info here.

Damn, Metallica aren’t the only ones to cash in on the name Metallica. It seems whoever was even remotely involved with these guys can open up an exhibition or release a book about them.