Bucket List Shows: The Bands I Need to See

I'm fortunate to live in Chicago, a city that has a staggering number of music venues across all shapes and sizes, including multiple joints that pull in a terrific number of metal bands.  Rare is the tour that misses Chicago, and even then, there's a 99% chance the band is playing Milwaukee, which is a short drive north.  Like I said, fortunate.  That said, occasionally there are shows I miss out on, for any number of reasons, and that makes me sad; I love seeing bands live, and I love seeing bands I love live even more.  In thinking about some of the gnarly concerts coming up, I started thinking about the bands I've missed over the years, and came up with my ten "Bucket List" bands, the bands I most want to see before I shuffle off this mortal coil (hopefully not anytime soon).  I stayed away from bands that have broken up (or Isis would have made the list) or older bands whose members aren't going to do it (same for Pink Floyd).  A few honorable mentions before we get this show on the road: Tool, Meshuggah, Lamb of God, Anathema, Sleep.  All would be amazing to see, but they don't quite crack the Top Ten.  So... here goes!

I'm Calling Shenanigans

Disgruntled geek-elite metalheads can complain all they want, but Decibel Magazine is without a doubt in my mind the most accepted of published metal media currently out there. Unlike the Kerrangs and Revolvers of the world, Decibel seems to have its finger on the pulse of the less publicized and more musically gifted acts out there. While Ozzy, Disturbed and mall-core biz like The Devil Wears Prada frequently adorn the cover of the big wigs, Decibel can be counted on to stay true to it's pure metal roots... most of the time, at least. But after a serious amount of contemplation and listening, I think I can emphatically exclaim like a Swiss alphorner dude that well over 50% of their 2010 Top 40 list was bullshit.

Jack's Top 10 Albums of 2010

Oh, Maiden memories. You are the best.

 The passing of a legend, one Ronnie James Dio, will forever serve as the headline of 2010 in metal. Ronnie was a godfather, a unifying point for metalheads, something that happens to be a paradox these days in the underworld of heaviness. Which is why it’s completely fucking ironic that during a year when the death of icon brought us all together, probably the most divisive sub-genre in all of heavy music experienced a banner year.

'Tis The Season To Rank 'Em: Brutalitopia's Best of 2010 Lists Coming Soon

It goes without saying that every 21st century hessian recognizes the end of any year as a time to name their favorite albums of the year. Bickering, bitching, complaining, hating and the occasional positive remark inevitably follow, and that's what makes it fun.  And since this system clearly ain't broken, we here at Brutalitopia don't plan on fixing it. Various blogs have already released their lists, with the MetalSucks and Reign In Blonde staffs joining the fray today, and Decibel were prompt in getting their Top 40 out in this month's issue. Per my personal modus operandi, Mick and I are gonna be fashionably late to the party. Look out for our lists shortly before Jesus' B-day next week, and go ahead and speculate in the comments. I'd be remiss if I didn't give a spoiler and say Maiden will end up on my list, but that's about as obvious as giving away that the cute but stupid blonde girl in the shitty flavor-of-the-month horror movie dies first.

- Jack