05) Saint Vitus Bar closes:
Long-standing New York metal venue Saint Vitus Bar shut its doors this year after 13 years in business. Opened in 2011, it had been shut down in the middle of a show in February by city officials and was never able to overcome its legal issues. The venue had become a haven for upcoming and established hard rock and metal acts. Check out Metal Insider’s Headbanger’s Brawl regarding the venue’s legacy.
04) All of As I Lay Dying’s members quit:
With an album release on the horizon, As I Lay Dying fell apart. In October, all of the band’s current members, outside of frontman Tim Lambesis, quit. Guitarist Phil Sgrosso, one of the band’s longest-standing members, said of his departure that the band “no longer offers a healthy or safe environment for anyone involved.” Lambesis said in a statement of his own that he would like to continue on with a “new team” and a better atmosphere.
03) Dave Grohl’s unexpected kid:
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl showed his fallibility this year when in September he made the surprising announcement that he had a baby with a woman outside of his marriage. From news reports, it seems like he and his wife are trying to work it out.
02) Linkin Park reunited:
After singer Chester Bennington passed away in 2017, it seemed iffy as to whether they would ever get back together. But in late summer, a countdown clock appeared on the band’s website leading to the grand announcement that they would be reuniting for an online concert and debuting a new singer, Dead Sara’s Emily Armstrong. That led to a well-received new album and tour dates into the new year.
