Music / Previews
Bristol’s Month in Metal and Prog: December 2025
“It’s KERRRR-ISSSTMAS!” as a wise man (Mr. Nodward Holder) once said, but before we retreat to the (shudder!) bosoms of our families there’s still some rockin’ to be done. December brings such delights as the Katatonia/Evergrey double-bill, Clutch graduating to the Beacon and – sniff – the farewell tour by Orange Goblin.
Jared James Nichols/Afrodiziac
Thekla, Dec 1
“Too tall and too thin” was the late Bernie Marsden’s jokey verdict on Wiconsin blues-rocker Jared James Nichols, who fronts his own hard-rockin’ trio in the style of Mountain and Cream. He’s also an official ambassador for Gibson Guitars. Support on this tour comes from a chap named Afrodiziac, who recently supported The Darkness, and, it says here, “has a penchant for provocative grooves and heavy guitars”
Sr. George’s, Dec 2
So who’s in Steeleye Span from the classic line-up these days? The answer, it seems, is only Maddy Prior. Still, they’ve got a new album, their first in five years, titled Conflict. Will they play All Around My Hat? Of course they bloody well will. And Gaudete? Well, it is almost Christmas. . .
O2 Academy, Dec 6
Three-times Grammy-nominated Texan metallers whose fourth, self-titled, album proved to be their breakthrough release ten years ago. They are now up to their seventh studio album, Carnal, which received mixed reviews.
Electric Bristol, Dec 8
Last seen having a fine old time at the Marble Factory in 2023, Katatonia, Stockholm’s kings of melancholic metal, benefit from a great vocalist in Jonas Renkse. Alas, they’ve lost founding guitarist Anders Nystrom since then, due to “creative preferences and scheduling issues.” But they do have a new album, Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State, out now on Napalm. Support tonight comes from veteran Gothenburg prog-metallers Everygrey, who’ve been rather overtaken by their own previous support acts, such as Avatar, but should keep the headliners on their toes.
Electric Bristol, Dec 14
Sadly, Brit stoner kings Orange Goblin have decided to call it a day. But at least they’re giving us one final tour before doing so. And they’re going out on a high with Science, Not Fiction (” . . .a formidable show of strength from one of the greatest bands ever to do it,” reckoned Metal Hammer, who cited it as one of the albums of the year). Always a great live band, they’re bringing along two equally excellent acts on this farewell tour: Sweden’s great Grand Magus and rising London metallers Urne (whom everyone refers to as Urine, for some reason).
Bristol Beacon, Dec 15
Last seen at the Academy three years ago, pigeonhole-defying Maryland quartet Clutch now play their biggest local show to date. Anyone out there recall seeing them supporting Motörhead at this very venue in its former incarnation as the Colton Hall back in 2006? Clutch don’t appear to have a new album to promote, their latest release being 2022’s Sunrise on Slaughter Beach, so we can presumably expect a greatest hits show. Except that Clutch have never had any hits.
Thekla, Dec 17
Veteran Grammy-nominated Finnish doom-metallers whose ninth album, Shining, was recently released by Century Media.
Exchange, Dec 18
Last time we saw this lot, we categorised them as “Proper British Heavy Metal Played by Hairy Gents (and Ladies) with Thunderous Drums and Squealing Guitar Solos.” Expect to hear much from their new album, Interceptor, tonight.
Thekla, Dec 19
Return of the Brit comedy metallers with those amusing Blue Peter props. New album Silicon Tea is out now and heavy metal comedian Andrew O’Neill is joining them on this tour, which includes what’s billed as an “intimate acoustic show” at the Gryphon the night before they hit the Thekla.
Main pic of Clutch at the O2 Academy in 2022 by Mike Evans
COMING SOON
Here’s our essential diary of upcoming gigs that should be of interest to anyone of a rockin’ disposition.
Cryptopsy/200 Stab Wounds/Inferi/Corpse Pile, Fleece, Jan 19
Epica/Amaranthe/Charlotte Wessels, Bristol Beacon, Jan 20
Anna Von Hausswolff, Thekla, Jan 25
Pentagram, Thekla, Feb 2
Sanguisugabogg, Fleece, Feb 16
Avatar/Alien Weapnry, O2 Academy, Feb 18
Smith/Kotzen, O2 Academy, Feb 20
Hayseed Dixie, Fleece, March 3
10cc, Bristol Beacon, March 24
Infected Rain/Butcher Babies/Black Spikes, Fleece, March 29
Full Ov Hell, Fleece, April 7
Nordic Giants, Fleece, April 8
Blackbraid, Fleece, April 9
Yes, Bristol Beacon, April 30
Love with Johnny Echols, Fleece, April 30
Jethro Tull, Bristol Beacon, May 10
Voyage 35, O2 Academy, Sept 15
Marillion, Bristol Beacon, Sept 18
Big Big Train, Komedia Bath, Sept 27
Steve Hackett, Bristol Beacon, Oct 7
The Sheepdogs, Trinity, Nov 16
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