METAL monsters Slipknot roll their superbly chaotic circus into town on February 15. Suicidal Tendencies have now been confirmed as support on the night which is an absolute bonus for those who like their rock hard and heavy.
Slipknot are famed for their stunning live shows built on energetic performance, total commitment and great musicianship. So if you are even a little curious as to what all the fuss about regarding 'the masked beast' coming to town, it might be well worth getting next year under way with a proper full on mad metal gig under your studded belt.
Slipknot's The Gray Chapter, which was released last year, is a fantastic record and features my favourite song by the band – it's called Killpop and has one of the best rock choruses I've heard in years. Tickets are on sale now.
FULL STEAM AHEAD
COLDPLAY'S new album A Head Full Of Dreams is an exuberant and enthusiastic record from a band who sound like they are actually starting to really enjoy their role as one of the world's biggest musical draws.
It's as if their reserved and humble resolve has finally been broken and they have gatecrashed their own party. The current single, Adventure of A Lifetime, is a happy-go-lucky big and bouncy affair and a great deal of the album follows suit.
The title track is a runaway train of swirling guitars and uplifting lyrics and sounds like a smiley version of U2's Where The Streets Have No Name. Birds is another pacey fun track that will be a live favourite but even when Chris and co drop the tempo the mood remains positive and optimistic – illustrated perfectly by songs such as Army of Love and a Tove Lo collaboration, simply titled Fun.
One other very notable song on board is Coldplay's duet with long time friend Beyonce, called Hymn For The Weekend.
KATY CHRISTMAS
KATY Perry is in line to top the UK chart and grab the coveted Christmas Number One spot. The star will be in contention with new song Every Day Is A Holiday which she has recorded along with Duke Dumont, meaning at least it's an original upbeat track and not a usual pointless rehash of a 'classic' so often trotted out by current pop stars.
Kylie may of course argue with that, considering she has just released an entire festive album of her renditions of tracks that are probably best left in peace. There is of course a very commercial twist with Katy's yuletide offering – it is also the song that accompanies her commercial for H&M's Winter advertising campaign.
Another solo effort at nabbing the festive credit is Carly Rae Jepsen who has released her version of Wham's Last Christmas and then there is Justin Bieber's Under The Mistletoe from 2013 which is of course re clocking up a multitude of downloads.
However, in my humble opinion the only festive record you'll ever need is The Phil Spector Christmas album – titled A Gift To You From Phil Spector. It is every bit a Christmassy as It's Wonderful Life, mince pies and fist fights over the remote control.
