While it’s no surprise to see Tool, Metallica, and Slayer land on our top ten stories of the year, there were a few surprises, including a fast-food restaurant chain. Here are Metal Insider’s Top Ten Stories of 2019. In case you missed our previous year-end and decade-end lists, check out our Top Ten Shocking Moments of 2019, Top Ten Cover Songs of 2019, Best Albums of the Decade, Stories of the Decade, Black Metal Albums of the Decade, Zenae’s best concerts of 2019, and Zach’s, Zenae’s, Bram’s, Matt’s, and Jeff’s top metal albums of 2019. 

 

10) Maynard James Keenan says Tool’s Fear Inoculum was “fantastic eight-years ago”

Shortly after Tool released Fear Inoculum, frontman Maynard James Keenan revealed the record was “fantastic eight years ago.” This shocking revelation is what made this piece land at #10.

 

 

 

 

09) Listen to Tool’s first new song in 13 years as album preorder goes live

For over a decade, we waited to hear new Tool music, and we finally did. Of course, their first song in thirteen years would be one of our biggest stories.

 

 

 

 

08) Slayer’s impact on New York’s music scene explained by members of Misfits, Anthrax, Agnostic Front, and more

Slayer’s impact on New York’s music scene and the metal community, in general, will always be remembered. 

 

 

 

07) James Hetfield explains why ‘Justice’ album has no bass

“We were burnt, we were frigging fried.” 

 

 

 

 

 

06) Metallica fans whipped into a frenzy after beat by bots for S&M2

We salute the Metallica fans who were able to purchase a ticket on the day bots beat many for night one of S&M 2.