The Metal Column – June 2012

There's some classic Southern rock afoot at the dawn of the month: Lynyrd Skynyrd take to the Clyde Auditorium (1 Jun). It's likely one of the only chances you'll get to shout “Free Bird!” without being subjected to disapproving glares and/or death threats. Edinburgh natives: unless you're dead-set on seeing Hawkwind at the Queens Hall (2 Jun), we're afraid you're shit out of luck in the rake stakes (save mighty sludge merchants Gareeda, knockin down your door with their debut LP at Bannerman's on 15 June).

 

Once you've all recovered from those Bourbon hangovers, get down to Mono, where abrasive Japanese garage punks Guitar Wolf will be teaming up with local rock 'n roll party freaks Holy Mountain (4 Jun). Talk about a sweet-ass pairing... We're going to go ahead and assume it'll be a sweaty one. If you're a fan of classic Earache death-thrash and somehow failed to witness Singaporean grinders Wormrot tear down the 13th  Note last year, you'd better make damned sure you get down there this time on 5 Jun.

 

Dave Vanian's legendary punk outfit The Damned are making an appearance at the O2 ABC (10 Jun). Maybe Captain Sensible will hit out with his infamous Top of the Pops hit Happy Talk while the rest of the band are tuning between songs. A man can dream, right? But if contemporary crust is more your thing, Tragedy across the road at Nice 'N' Sleazy is a safe bet. They're joined by Bay Area punk brats Neon Piss and Dundee screamoers Kaddish on the same night.

 

You'd better believe Andy Falkous and his boys (and girl) are going to go completely apeshit when Future of the Left head on over to King Tut's (11 Jun). Fans of his previous band mclusky can be thankful that they're known to hit out with a few old ones too. After all that intensity, you'll probably be after something a little more lighthearted, right? Lo and behold – Jack Black and Kyle Gass are bringing their infamous cock-rock project Tenacious D 'round our way. They play the SECC on 12 Jun.

 

If you're noticing a distinct lack of brutality so far, Malevolent Creation should more than make up for it with a vulgar display of orthodox death metal at Ivory Blacks (19 Jun), but if you want to catch a truly iconic frontman at work, don't miss Keith Morris (Black Flag, Circle Jerks) belt out some quickfire hardcore with his latest band, Californian supergroup OFF! at King Tut's (21 Jun). They're supported by their native peers, dangerous thrashcore group Trash Talk and sublime Danish punk youths Iceage. Lineup of the month, hands down.

 

Next up is kings of the metal-groove, Gojira, who are stopping by at The Garage (22 Jun) just prior to the arrival of their new album L'Enfant Sauvage. You'd be advised to head on down to get a sneak preview of the new material. Last but no least: fans of old school thrash metal can catch Death Angel at Ivory Blacks on 27 Jun. It's going to be a speedy, furious and ever so slightly daft end to the month.