The Metal Column – December 2012

Preview by Ross Watson | 04 Dec 2012

It's no lie: December's a tough one. Record releases begin to slow down, and a lot of touring bands tend to slip into hibernation. You're going to need some pointers if you want to make it through hell's winter.

Stoner bros, listen up: Red Fang and El Caco are kicking off your month by piling on the mad riffs. That's at Ivory Blacks (5 Dec). British black metal lords Anaal Nathrakh meanwhile fall into the more extreme end of the spectrum, favouring brutality and a grind-like pace over petty theatrics. Watch them transform the Classic Grand into a satanic palace on 7 Dec. Speaking of grind, there's a whole night dedicated to it at the 13th Note led by Plymouth annihilators Chemical Tomb, featuring performances from Magpyes, Sufferinfuck, Wheelchair x 4 and Corrupt (7 Dec). It's going to be quite terrifying.

Dad rock legends Thin Lizzy sure as hell don't keep us waiting, but this time we'll be bidding them a fond farewell as their last ever tour (so they say) rolls through the HMV Picture House with sludge fiends Black Spiders and classic rock disciples The Treatment (8 Dec). Aussie extremists Deströyer 666 are a true crossover act, rolling old school thrash, violent death metal and atmospheric black metal into their sound. You'll be able to catch them at Ivory Blacks on the same night.

Difficult decision time: do you witness Swedish doom prophets Katatonia hit the Cathouse with French black metal-influenced shoegazers Alcest? Or is it off to the Banshee Labyrinth to see Deathwish alumni Birds in Row with a bunch of stellar local noisemakers, i.e. Hunt / Gather, Prelude to the Hunt and Horrors That You've Seen? Then again, there's also Xtra Mile chaosbringers Crazy Arm supported by the gloriously sinister Salò, epic metallers Atreides and emotive punks The Sinking Feeling at the 13th Note. All this on 12 Dec. An unfortunate multi-clash if there ever was one.

One for the prog-nuts: Devin Townsend Project rolls into the O2 ABC on 14 Dec. The ex-Strapping Young Lad frontman may have shed his trademark skullet, but he sure as hell still knows how to pound out ambitious, guest-heavy records. He's playing with industrial vets Fear Factory and metalcore quartet Sylosis. That's at the O2 ABC (14 Dec). Local DIY hardcore unit Shields Up have proved on record that they're ones to watch. This month you'll be able to literally do that when they play Bannerman's with the like-minded Cleavers and Bonehouse (15 Dec).

If you're into female-fronted high-drama, you'll want to catch symphonic metallers Epica at the Classic Grand. They're supported by progressive metallers Stream of Passion (15 Dec). A few days before Satan drops doon yer chimney, there's a great night at the 13th dubbed Winter Solstice, headlined by iconic industrial locals Black Sun, who are helped out by fellow nutcases IO Pan & Noma, Thee Downs and Guanoman (21 Dec). Musick to play in the dark, indeed.