The Razor's Edge Staff Picks: Best Gigs of 2019
In terms of live music 2019 has been up there as one of the best years for both quantity and quality. Here at The Razor's Edge our team have brought to you coverage of as many of those shows as possible. Trying to pass on in words and pictures what an experience those shows were. Now we discuss our favourite shows of the year. Which show made each staff members top pick?
Cat Finch - Editor in Chief
Best Gig: Metallica in Barcelona
Its been a busy year and we've seen some great tours come through the country this year, from Hil Anselmo & The Illegals earlier this year through to Clutch to finish off the year in December.
For me there was one show that stood out above all others. Metallica at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona. An iconic Olympic stadium filled with 60,000 Metallica fans, a great under card with Bokassa and Ghost blowing us away in the Spanish summer sun. All topped off watching Metallica from the snake pit. Simply amazing.
Tim Finch - Deputy Editor / Photographer
Best Gig: K.K. Downing & David Ellefson perform Judas Priest in Wolverhampton
I struggled to make a decision on this one, there have been so many good shows this year, kicking off with the Orange Goblin tour in February, through some amazing performances at Bloodstock and Life of Agony returning to form in October. Even as I write this and make my decision I still have two more shows to see this year... Clutch at Rock City swiftly followed by The Lawnmower Deth Christmas Party (look out for coverage of both very soon).
Ultimately there was one show that stood out above the rest. When K.K. Downing announced he was going to play a set of Judas Priest songs with a band comprising of Tim 'Ripper' Owens, Les Binks and Megadeth's David Ellefson, it all sounded too good to be true. The show itself was something special, at the time a one off never to be repeated (that may change in 2020) the atmosphere in K.K.'s own venue was electric, honestly like nothing I have ever experienced before. And then the show itself... just WOW! Nothing could top that show this year.
Deegan Armitage - Writer / Interviewer
Best Gig: Sabaton @ Bloodstock / Fleshgod Apocalypse in London
For my gig of the year I struggled to pick just one because it’s a tie. Firstly, Sabaton's mind-blowing set at Bloodstock, Sabaton are so good live, between their on stage antics and banter alongside playing almost every song you would want to hear from their huge back catalogue. The other gig would be Fleshgod Apocalypse on the Headbangers Ball tour earlier in December. Despite it on being a support slot, the band played like they were headliners. I have seen them every time they have played in the UK for the last 6 years and each show they blow me away and this time was far from an exception.
Dan Barnes - Writer
Best Gig: Parkway Drive @ Bloodstock
Parkway Drive’s road to Bloodstock was a rocky one, fraught with irate keyboard warriors and nay-sayers since their announcement six months earlier. And then, on the day itself, it seemed the weather was conspiring against them, with high-winds smashing the site, causing Cradle of Filth to postpone for twenty-four hours and Anthrax to play a shortened set. But when Parkway Drive did make in onto the stage those poo-pooing their booking were forced to eat humble-pie by the stack. Pulling a set from every one of their albums, Parkway set about showing Bloodstock what an amazing live band they really are. They brought a sense of spectacle and grandeur to Catton Hall with huge riffs and massive breakdowns, all highlighted with eye-scorching pyrotechnics. In my opinion not only the best show of the year, but also one of the best headliners ever to grace the Bloodstock stage.
Carl Black - Writer / Interviewer
Best Gig: Death Angel @ Bloodstock
For me it was Death Angel at Bloodstock Festival. mark is such an engaging front man who reminds me of a thrash metal Ronnie James Dio. The guitar duo of Rob Cavestany and Ted Aguilar are so locked in and the whole bamd played like they have found their groove. Great performance.
Neil Bolton - Writer
Best Gig: Orange Goblin @ Manorfest
An awesome festival anyway, this year was headlined by one of the best live bands in the world, and once again Ben and the boys proved this to be the case. The towering front-man holds all crowds in the palm of his hands. Even the most stubborn will jump when ordered. It’s not just Ben though, he is joined by a talented band who blast out tunes making your body shake and your soul awaken.
(My second best was Orange Goblin again, this time headlining Doom Vs Stoner 2019)
Neil Brannagan-Fuller - Writer / Interviewer
Best Gig: Acid Reign @ Boston Music Rooms
My gig of the year, is painfully predictable, but that doesn’t make it any less true! It wasn’t only a gig, but an event and a celebration of a band that hadn’t released an album for 29 years. The location, the Boston Music Rooms in London, the band was on fire, the songs sounded even better live than on album, the celebration set list will never be repeated, and it was all just bloody brilliant.....the band was of course Acid Reign!
Robbie Maguire - Writer / Interviewer
Best Gig: Acid Reign @ Boston Music Rooms
Gareth Pugh - Writer
Best Gig: Annihilator in Wolverhampton
For me it was the Annihilator show in October at K.K.'s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton. Annihilator were great on the night, and the surprise package Elyrean were awesome. Added to that it was my son's first gig... "21"
John Wigg - Writer
Best Gig: Municipal Waste in London
