Metal Hall Of Fame @
Grand Theater, Anaheim, California, USA,
Wednesday 22nd January, 2025
And it's that time of year again, year, the night before NAMM takes place and of course, this always starts with this prestigious awards ceremony – yep the one that the high-end corporates always ignore or forget ever existed in the first place – Metal – a genre that splits into many forms which millions around the globe love and endure gladly.
Now in it's ninth year, the Metal Hall Of Fame is back again with another handful of awards celebrating pioneers and industry legends both on-stage off-stage, that's put together by Pat Gesualdo and hosted by the never running out of words, Eddie Trunk & the beautiful blonde Goddess of a personality, Cathy Rankin throughout the spectacle.
What was rather different about this year though was it's switch of venues, well at least for me anyway as the last time I was present, it was held at The Grove (six years ago with the laden out tables for the stars of the show and the media) – a grander affair if I am allowed to say. Not that I am knocking this one but it didn't have as much magical vibe like it had done previously for me.
Gripe aside, we got plenty of award giving, speeches and live performances from a nice variety of acts. Without going on and on about who said what etc. etc. which after a while becomes like a ticking off shopping list and drags too much in words which can only be truly appreciated if you are actually present on the night itself, I will bring up a few things that stand in my mind.
It was brilliant to witness Frontman/Lyricist, Burton C Bell receive his award from a life-long fan and now part of the industry herself, since he gave really deep speech to us of what it meant to have Metal in his life and the people that have supported him over the years. I remember seeing him back in 1995 at the City Hall, Sheffield when Fear Factory were pretty much unknowns, support Ozzy Osbourne – it just shows you how far he has come from then – pretty astounding to say the least.
Likewise, it was fabulous to at last see a fave band of mine up there who go by the name of Dangerous Toys, who I've loved for years, but still not had the chance to see live since they never come across to the UK. I truly wish they could have performed a couple of numbers a the awards ceremony – maybe one day they may hit Great Britain at some point.
Good to see the whole team of KNAC Radio up there on stage with each of them getting to introduce themselves to us all – without this Radio Station, much of the USA would have missed out on many a Heavy Metal Band or tune all those many years ago. That frequency has gone a long, long way since then and carries on now on a larger scale.
Life Of Agony, well three of them were there in video form thanking everyone for the their award but regrettably, Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein (of The Misfits) & Rikki Rockett (Poison) were no-shows who I was very much looking forward to seeing – Oh well!
It was kinda quirky in a way that Doyle's other half, Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy) received the award on his behalf and joked that she hoped had cooked her some good pasta for her on her return, who was then presented an award herself – a lady who shows it's possibly to make it in an industry that massively overshadowed by men. “If you aren't heard the first time, scream louder” she joked – probably true tho – hahaha! It would been to have seen Alissa perform a song or two, even with a backing track minus the band.
The 20th Anniversary of Life Celebration/Induction went this time to someone who was tragically taken away from the Heavy Metal World, the late Pantera Guitarist, Dimebag Darrell who deserved the award, wholeheartedly, even if it was posthumous in this case.
Jeff Young (Megadeth/Kings of Thrash), was actually the first to grab an award who also treated us to some instrumental numbers as well as Chris Poland (also former Megadeth) who performed later in the proceedings. Kill Devil Hill's Dewey Bragg and the guys in Kill Devil Hill also received an award and tore a hole in the ceiling with some stoking material old and new – not to mention the main man fronting the All-Star Jam that closed the night with some notable Metal Classics such as a sprinkling of Black Sabbath.
Close to heart highlights overall apart from notable segments of the event was meeting for the 1st time, Tony MacAlpine. He had been working alongside the guys in Soul Sign – Rob Math and my Brother from another Mother, Bjorn Englen! (Also present that night). Overall, it was a memorable night and I look forward to it next year!
By Glenn Milligan
Photo Gallery to follow....