2008 in Rock Music: July - Dec
27-12-2008

As the world of Rock Music hangs up it’s studded belts, skinny jeans and leather jackets for another year, we at FemaleFirst decided to take a look at the top stories that have shaped the news over the past year.

July

July was the months of all the great festivals around the world, and it all kicked off - as a good festival month should - with Crüe Fest in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Halfway through the month, Coheed and Cambria announced the first two dates for Neverender, a four night concert where they played an album a day.

We also saw album releases from Lamb Of God, Cannibal Corpse, Whitechapel, and the incredible Misery Signals.

However, the joy of the month was loss with the terrible news that former White Spirit and Tank Drummer Graeme Crallan died after a fall in a London street.

August

August saw the long-awaited release Slipknot; All Hope Is Gone. Which has been dubbed by Kerrang! Magazine as one of the best albums of 2008 - after all, what would the year of metal music be without an offering from Corey Taylor and friends?

We also saw Wes Borland join Marilyn Manson's line-up, Snot reform with ex-Divine Heresy vocalist Tommy Vext whilst Michael Nicklasson leaves Dark Tranquillity and Jeff Singer leaves Paradise Lost.

At the end of the month, Filipino rock band, Eraserheads, held their one night only reunion concert in the Fort open field. It was their first concert since 2001 but it had to be cut short after vocalist Ely Buendia was rushed to the hospital because of chest pain due to emotional stress.

September

The month didn’t get off to a great start as ex-drummer of Sodom, Christian "Witchhunter" Dudek died of liver failure on September 7th.

It doesn’t get much better either as former Marilyn Manson bassist Gidget Gein dies of a heroin overdose, Christian Älvestam leaves Scar Symmetry and Denny Axelsson, vocalist of Blinded Colony, leaves the band.

However, there is joy as Peter Wichers rejoins Soilwork, Tormentor rejoins Infernus in his version of Gorgoroth and Jonny Santos rejoins and reforms Spineshank

Then of course, there is the incredible release of Metallica’s Death Magnetic, Avenged Sevenfold’s Live in the LBC and Diamonds In The Rough, screamo kids Bring Me The Horizon return with Suicide Season and All That Remains get Overcome on the shelves.

Metallica
The month is topped off by the lovely Matt Heafy and the rest of Trivium coming in my ears with Shogun and Bleeding Through make a Declaration.

Queen + Paul Rodgers release their studio album The Cosmos Rocks, the first Queen album with a lead singer other than late Freddie Mercury.

Finally, the main news story was the horrific plane crash involving Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker and Adam Goldstein (DJ AM) which claimed four lives.

October

October brought us the new release from Unearth - The March and Cradle Of Filth’s horror goth offering; Godspeed On The Devil’s Thunder. Aww Dani Filth is just a little gnome of spite.

Nothing overly exciting rally happens elsewhere, except on the 22nd when Coheed and Cambria began the much anticipated series of concerts, Neverender.

Guns N Roses - Chinese Democracy
Guns N' Roses (well, Axl Rose and a couple of randoms) release their first single in 9 years: The title track from their Chinese Democracy album is released as the first single for the album.

November

We are all saddened to her that the hot Josh Freese plans to leave Nine Inch Nails by the end of 2008.

AC/DC become the first band to have their own version of the video game Rock Band, following the release of AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack. How exciting!

Naughty Schoolboys - AC/DC
Nickelback release the much-anticipated Dark Horse to follow up 2005's seven-times platinum album, All the Right Reasons. Which we at FemaleFirst totally love. If I had a man’s voice it would have to be Chad’s.

Then on the 23rd the moment we had all been waiting for, or perhaps just me, Guns N' Roses release their first album in 13 years, Chinese Democracy. If you haven’t heard it, you’re missing an ear-delighting treat.

December

At the time of writing this, we’re actually only halfway through December, so if there is a massive bit of news that I miss off, please don’t kill me; I need a Christmas too!

But so far we have seen John Kempainen leave The Black Dahlia Murder as well as Job For A Cowboy founding member and guitarist Ravi Bhadriraju leaving his band too. But don’t panic, Al Glassman leaves Despised Icon to join the cowboys!

Finally, it really isn't Nine Inch Nails' year as another member quits the band. This time it's Keyboardist Alessandro Cortini who says his farewells. Bye Bye Alessandro and bye bye 2008!

Credit: FemaleFirst - Ruth Harrison

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