3. Arch Enemy’s TWO massive lineup changes
It’s been a hell of a year for Arch Enemy. While we’d already known a new album was coming from the band, the metal community was definitely thrown for a loop when it was announced that longtime vocalist Angela Gossow, who’d been the face of the band for 13 years, announced she’d be stepping down. Interestingly enough, she’s still managing the band. More surprising still, was the fact that they’d already replaced her with former The Agonist vocalist Alissa White-Gluz. The band’s album, War Eternal, was surprisingly strong, with White-Gluz doing an admirable job on the album. Amott told us that even though it happened quickly, it had been in the works for a long time.
It turned out that wasn’t the last lineup change in the band, however. Perhaps even more surprising was that in the midst of their fall tour, they replaced Nick Cordle, former Arsis guitarist, with Nevermore’s Jeff Loomis. Very surprising, considering what a great job he did with the album, but getting an all-star guitarist in a band that’s already full of all-stars ensures us that the next album Arch Enemy writes is going to be one of the most anticipated albums of their career. – by BT
2. AC/DC loses Malcom Young to dementia, while Phil Rudd goes AWOL
2014 should’ve been a celebratory year for AC/DC, who were planning to end it with their first studio album of new material in six years. Yet before they could even officially announce Rock Or Bust’s release, fans of the rock legends were stunned with the news that Malcom Young was stepping down from the band. As it turns out, the guitarist’s battle with dementia has taken a turn for the worst and prevented him from even participating in the recording process for Rock Or Bust [with Malcom and Angus’ nephew Stevie Young taking his place]. How could things have gotten worse for AC/DC? Cue in drummer Phil Rudd, who shortly after Rock Or Bust’s release was announced found himself arrested for attempting to procure murder and drug possession. While the procure murder charge was later dropped, Rudd’s charges on possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis and threatening to kill remain intact, and he still doesn’t seem to be doing any favors for himself. Rudd seems confident that he’ll be going “back to work” with the band, but understandably the rest of AC/DC don’t seem as sure about that. – by ZS
