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[FEATURE] Twenty Bands That Need To Reunite

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You win some; you lose some. And that’s a common trait in the music world; bands come and go. Luckily, we’ve seen the return of massive outfits such as Faith No More, Refused, At The Drive-In, Emperor and most recently, Guns N Roses (minus Steven Adler and Izzy Stradlin). And,  we have some groups that have been on hiatus for some years and others that will never return, like Pantera and The Ramones. Not to mention, we’ve been having some them closing the lid for good in 2016 such as Black Sabbath, Motion City Soundtrack, The Butterfly Effect and The Dillinger Escape Plan.

We’re taking a look at some of the ones that need to make a comeback for at least a one more worldwide reunion tour.

Written by Callum Doig

 

Acid Bath

It has already been nineteen years since Acid Bath ever took action in the scene with their influential sludge/grindcore crossover sound.

Having a fair collection of demos and two full-length records, their time together was an ephemeral six years. But, considering the length it’s been since they ever did a show, we can’t guarantee that the members would ever consider a reunion tour.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC5PU9YNlGM]

 

Alchemist

Some of our international readers may or may not have been aware of one of Australia’s greatest bands – Alchemist. Fronted and founded by Adam Agius, this prog prodigy of Agius was seen as one of the most recognised groups from the country alongside Destroyer 666, Hobbs Angel of Death and a lot more. There hasn’t been anything going on with Alchemist since 2010, so it’s safe to say that if they were to return to the stage again, Australia’s underground metal community sure as hell would make their return feel extremely welcomed.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tawhVKHeBIo]

 

Audioslave

Sure, we may have had Rage Against the Machine revive a few years before the 2010’s began to pop up. But around that same time, Audioslave announced their breakup. While frontman Chris Cornell has been having his focus on Soundgarden and his solo shows, he’s expressed interest in rejuvenating Audioslave in the future. Fingers crossed for that one, kids!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDMvN45sjo4]

 

Botch

Before it was The Dillinger Escape Plan’s turn to face-fuck everyone with that heavy frenzy of mathcore, and when Converge were hitting up the scene at the time, Botch forced their way through like a stampede of rhinos. They injected a massive dose of unique sound that influenced bands such as Every Time I Die, Between the Buried and Me, The Used and Norma Jean

While most of the members have their eyes set on their other projects such as Russian CirclesMinus the Bear and four other groups, they haven’t discussed the chances of Botch coming back anytime soon. However, should that move be taken, goddamn, will everyone lose their minds or what?

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6Q87LFycXI]

 

The Chariot

Breaking up near the end of 2013, The Chariot did their last round of shows at the Soundwave Festival, with their latest and the last record “One Wing” involved on tour. Another band that Botch inspired, there’s no doubt that plenty of math bands have had plenty of inspiration being driven into their sound thanks to The Chariot. Considering their breakup was three years ago, we can’t expect a surprise reunion shortly. But, with vocalist Josh Scoogin fronting ’68 along with Brandon and Stevis involved with Written In Red, at least it goes to show that they still have the driving passion for making more music.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K05weZYExPU]

 

Edge of Sanity

Dan Swanö may are known for having a résumé with details of him being a member of Bloodbath, Infestdead, Nightingale and even contributing to bands such as Katatonia and Millencolin, but Edge of Sanity was a decade-long project of his that the rest will most likely remember him for. Going from melodic death to progressive metal, Edge of Sanity had a heavily influential vibe on bands all throughout Scandinavia and Europe in the 90’s and 2000’s. While Swanö seems pretty occupied with everything else he’s involved with, resurrecting Edge of Sanity would be an awesome move for him to make.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv-XCicKSd0]

 

Fair to Midland

Some may not have been extremely familiar with this name. However, being praised by tour buddies Dead Letter Circus and System of a Down’s Serj Tankian, Fair to Midland established an intimate worldwide fan base through their children storybook inspired fables in the style of aggressive and diverse alternative prog rock.

Fair to Midland were also known for their live shows involving vocalist Darroh Sudderth’s crazy onstage antics, along with his idiosyncratic vocal performances from throat singing to falsetto crooning. Having made their only Australian appearance, supporting Dead Letter Circus and Twelve Foot Ninja in 2012, it’s fair to say that the Texan quintet should give it another crack.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjW-j2PAv-I]

 

Isis

It’s going to be DIFFICULT to make this happen, especially with the controversy and terrorism surrounding the Islamic State, who have been calling themselves ISIS. The post-metal quartet that helped shape the genre alongside Neurosis became a quick favourite of other bands and musicians from Mike Patton to Tool. The only Isis we ever need in this world right now are these guys.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWTAkBRe6aI]

 

Kyuss

Let’s face it; I don’t think Josh Homme will want to hang out with John Garcia and co. anytime soon… based on rumours. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t keep our fingers crossed for a possible reunion. While John Garcia, Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri did come back with Kyuss Lives in 2010 (later changing the name to Vista Chino due to a lawsuit between them and Homme), to see the full, original lineup would be a dream come true for every dedicated stoner metal fan.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-MSfd2S7lo]

 

Led Zeppelin

Obviously, we will never see another Zeppelin album in the future, which is fair enough. And while one of rock n roll’s most legendary acts of all time has done a handful of reunion shows in ’85, ’88, ’95 and ’07, it’d be great to see them do one final global tour before Plant, Page and Jones give it up completely. They are at the age where they “should be taking it easy”, and that’s completely understandable. But, should Led Zeppelin do it one last time with John Bonham’s son Jason, it would be one hell of an incredible and teary send-off for them.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlNhD0oS5pk]

 

The Mars Volta

Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodríguez-Lopez are lifelong BFFs, having been in some projects together in their time. And despite the successful reunion on At The Drive-In (along with new music on the way), we can’t deny the fact that we greatly miss The Mars Volta for being another big name to twenty-first-century rock music.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JphZtpafdKY]

 

Murderdolls

Wednesday 13 and Joey Jordison were once known to be the ultimate horror punk duo up until 2011. Ever since Jordison left Slipknot, all sorts of things have been going on with him that a lot of us are having trouble trying to keep up with, while Wednesday 13 is having the time of his life with his solo band going on. While their span has gone from 2002-2004 to 2010-2011, there may be the chance that a second reunion isn’t completely ruled out.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7d44j9xXKo]

 

Mr. Bungle

While we did get Faith No More’s reunion, we’ve still been waiting for several years on Mr Bungle’s return. Though mastermind vocalist Mike Patton has been releasing a lot of projects in his career, Mr Bungle is one that is overwhelmingly overdue for a comeback. While we’re not picky about them making more music, having done some of the wackiest and most authentic tunes of the nineties, it’d be super slick and sweet to see music’s most profound and audibly hallucinogenic group hit the global stage one last time.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0Rw-BqqBTw]

 

Necrophagist

If you think waiting for Tool’s new album has been ridiculous, you should ask how all the Necrophagist fans have been going because it now marks twelve years since their sophomore Epitaph was released. The German tech death metal band have also not done a show since late 2010, which is another factor. Should any type of hint of Necrophagist may take another shot at the live gigs, you can bet your ass we would all be keen for this one.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA4oq7DBU8E]

 

Porcupine Tree

Steven Wilson has been identified as the John Lennon of 90’s/00’s prog rock. While Porcupine Tree fans were primarily focused on him, he still creates his immaculate audible scenarios through his solo career. However, without Gavin HarrisonColin Edwin and Richard Barbieri and the lack of Porcupine Tree songs in Wilson‘s setlist, it’s just not the same.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mENmbZ5Ikto]

 

Rage Against the Machine (again)

Of course, we did get a reunion tour before the 00s were on the verge of finishing up. However, with Prophets of Rage happening, and while it’s great to see Chuck D (Public Enemy) and B-Real (Cypress Hill) in the supergroup, it’s seriously not the same without Zack De La Rocha. Being the most politically aware band of the 90s, Rage’s influence on metal bands has been critically overwhelming worldwide. Whether another reunion is happening or not, one can imagine the members putting their most iconic verse to use and say “Fuck you; I won’t do what you tell me” to those demanding it. But who knows?

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0kJLW2EwMg]

 

The Screaming Trees

Although we’ve had plenty of incredible grunge groups, start anew in this decade, and the last ten years, the Mark Lanegan fronted piece known as The Screaming Trees earned themselves a high amount of accolades back in the day when Washington’s alternative scene became recognised as a historical milestone in music.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE5f561Y1x4]

 

Sepultura (Max Cavalera era)

Sure, Sepultura may still be active, but all the diehard Cavalera fans have had to have their attention driven towards Soulfly and Cavalera Conspiracy, which we’re all incredibly grateful for. However, Sepultura revolutionised thrash metal in the late 80s/early 90s, creating and leading the Brazilian metal scene since then.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_WHGV5bejk]

 

Strapping Young Lad

Devin Townsend, Byron Stroud, Gene Hoglan and Jed Simon were the ones to thank for the angry, fuel-injecting, fist to the face aggression.

While Strapping had been a dark time for Townsend, suffering from a history of drugs and alcohol, it’s understandable why a reunion isn’t possible. However, he still feels a lot of love for the fact that he had this band together, as it made him become recognised as Frank Zappa’s metalised reincarnation. Not to mention the fact that in 2012, we did get to see Townsend and Simon perform Love? and Detox at his Retinal Circus shows in England.

So, there just may be the possibility.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f20L0msLsM]

 

The White Stripes

Being the most iconic rock duo of the 2000’s, there’s no denying that The White Stripes had the effect of encouraging artists to try starting two-piece groups. But, that’s not even one of the strongest reasons why their revival should commence. Although, they never seemed to be the type of band to make it that far into the industry, despite their garage-blues rock take in the scene. While Jack White has had himself going far as a solo artist, nothing has been mentioned of Meg White in quite a while. While Jack made mention of keeping The White Stripes going at one point, Meg didn’t feel equipped for it. Maybe one day, she’ll change her mind.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW8UlrtcEac]

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