In the parlance of our times, 2023 hit different. We had no more paradigm-wrecking pathogens nor primate-based NFTomfoolery –it seemed normal, almost mundane. Tours were announced and they happened. Albums were released on schedule. Skindred played Download for the 96th time.
But the year was like an ogre: it had layers, and even a cursory peel reveals the wildest 12 months. The inaugural Power Trip festival’s line-up read like a fake poster from a forum, solely featuring Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Tool and Metallica. The latter carved their own pavé elsewhere, doing two nights per city for their new 72 Seasons album and promising punters a ‘No Repeat Weekend’. This gave the Four Horsemen time and space to fine-tune touring into their 60s, and Kirk just one chance per venue to fudge Nothing Else Matters.
Maiden rolled out The Future Past tour, airing Senjutsu material alongside rarer Somewhere In Time tracks, including a debut for Alexander The Great. Unbeknownst to those watching