‘Chinese Democracy’ was a long time coming. It was never going to live up to the fifteen year saga which led to its release, but truth told, it was a much better album than most ever thought it could be. No, it wasn’t “classic” Guns N’ Roses (for the want of a phrase), but it contained some great, rockin’ tunes. The presence of the mighty Buckethead on some tracks was always likely to give things a sense of urgency if nothing else.

Over the following couple of years, Axl Rose and his revolving pick up band played various live shows – sometimes absolutely killing it, sometimes not, sometimes turning up late, sometimes upsetting South American fans. Wherever they go, there’s often a small amount of rock star drama.

Just before Christmas 2011, the band played a mammoth three hour set at The Forum, Inglewood, which was simultanously broadcast on ye olde internet. Despite some vocal problems, the setlist was solid enough: a selection of ‘Chinese Democracy’ tracks, a bunch of classic numbers, a world of lengthy solo spots and jams. There’s even time for one of ex-Replacements man Tommy Stinson‘s solo numbers!

For those with more spare time than they know what to do with, the entire performance can be seen below. While it’s great that G N’R have spent a huge chunk of 2011’s second half on the road, it’s a shame it came at the expense of Soul Asylum’s planned trip to the UK (their first for sixteen years…)

After touring their 1997 release, the optimistically titled ‘Album of the Year’, Faith No More disbanded. Following the break-up, frontman Mike Patton went into recording overdrive, releasing various avant-garde records, not only under his own name but with metal band Fantomas, funk/alternative oddballs Mr Bungle and a whole bunch more besides.

As great as some of these projects were – always interesting, if not always entirely enjoyable – fans still held his work with Faith No More in very high regard.

In 2009, Faith No More reformed and played some festival shows. Over the following two years, the momentum grew and the band made even more appearances, though after two years of sporadic touring, appearances in the UK were somewhat under-represented.

In November 2011, Faith No More played four shows in South America, culminating in two festival headline slots. The first, at Maquinara in Chile proved to be a wholly unique experience as the band played the whole of ‘King For a Day…Fool For a Lifetime’. The following night, their slot at the SWU Festival, Brazil was professionally filmed and can be enjoyed below. The set-list may be more varied than Maquinara, but still contains it’s share of classic moments.

Perhaps most importantly, it still included what most fans are calling “mystery song” which appeared at the start of the encore. Could there be long-awaited new material on the way?

2011 was a big year for Primus. Following their 2001 hiatus to persue other projects, there have been sporadic reunions, but nothing long-term. In September 2011, they released ‘Green Naugahyde’, their first full studio album in a decade. Not only that, but the band also visited the UK and various other European territories for the first time since the ‘Antipop’ tour.

Every show in Europe was sold out. At the two UK shows (London and Manchester), Les Claypool, Ler Lalonde and original Primus drummer Jay Lane were given a heroes welcome. Unsurprisingly, UK shows for the first quarter of 2012 were announced almost immediately.

At the end of 2011, Primus appeared at the Brazilian SWU Festival. The set was filmed by a professional crew for a TV broadcast. If you weren’t lucky enough to catch any of the ‘Green Naugahyde’ shows, hopefully this will provide a small consolation.

Throughout the second half of 2011, the build-up to the release of Korn’s tenth studio album was loaded with tension. The band’s previous three albums ‘See You On The Other Side’, ‘Untitled’ and ‘Korn III: Remember Who You Are’ had not equalled the sales figures of Korn’s earlier works.  Each of those albums, too, had experienced a decline in sales figures compared to its immediate predecessor.

For that tenth album, entitled ‘The Path of Totality’, the nu-metal heroes looked to other influences and collaborators, teaming up with a bunch of dubstep producers to lend the Korn sound a much-needed new slant.  Fans were sceptical, the press intrigued. As far as collaborations are concerned, it’s certainly more accessible than the Lou Reed & Metallica animal. Even long-time metal haters NME conceded ‘The Path To Totality’ was an artistic success.

‘The Path To Totality’ was released in the UK on Monday December 5th and one day later in the US.  Below, you can enjoy the full 90 minute show from the Hollywood Palladium, celebrating the launch of the album.

After the release of their self-titled album in 1995 Alice In Chains effectively retired from live performance. After choosing not to tour the album, rumours circulated that all was not well within the band. Alice In Chains made only one more live appearance with original frontman Layne Staley, for MTV’s Unplugged show.

The first phase of the band’s career ground to a halt. Chief songwriter/guitarist Jerry Cantrell and vocalist Layne Staley drifted apart. In April 2002, Layne Staley was found dead. Only a couple of weeks before, in an interview, Cantrell had said he hadn’t ruled out working with Staley again… It was a bittersweet time: Cantrell’s second album ‘Degradation Trip’ was completed, ready for a June release. It sounded more like Alice In Chains than his first, with the spirit of the recently deceased Staley cutting through various tracks, especially ‘Bargain Basement Howard Hughes’.

In 2005, the almost unthinkable happened. Jerry Cantrell teamed up with his old Alice In Chains bandmates, bassist Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney and resurrected the Alice In Chains name. After a benefit show with guest vocalists, they drafted in Cantrell’s buddy William DuVall and played sporadic live shows, to enthusiastic audiences.

…And in 2009, the band released ‘Black Gives Way To Blue’, a new studio album featuring DuVall as a permanent band member. Some fans were skeptical, claiming Layne was vital to Alice In Chains. These fans missed something almost as vital: Layne Staley’s input to 2005’s ‘Alice In Chains’ album was bordering on minimal. Not only had Cantrell taken on the mantle of being the band’s principal song writer, he also stepped up his vocal contributions, having a hefty presence on huge chunks of the release. If Alice In Chains were anything at all by the time of their hiatus, it was Jerry Cantrell’s show. If he wanted to write new songs and keep the spirit of AIC alive, then there shouldn’t be any reason why not. …Especially when, as with ‘Bargain Basement Howard Hughes’ some of the new songs almost sounded as if Layne was still present.

In November 2011, they performed a set at the Maquinaria Festival in Chile featuring a host of classic tracks from their back catalogue alongside a couple of numbers from the still recent ‘Black Gives Way To Blue’. Despite the band having returned to the recording studio in the summer, the set contained no new material. The complete show was filmed professionally and can be enjoyed below.