Top 10 Biggest Rock + Metal Stories of 2019

2019 has been a hell of a year.

Like every other year, there were band breakups and makeups, new music released from artists for the first time in an eternity and, unfortunately, some losses. Music is always full of ups and downs, but between Slipknot and Tool both debuting at the top of the Billboard 200 with their respective new albums, and Rage Against the Machine and My Chemical Romance announcing reunions, it's fair to say this year leaned more on the positive side.

As 2019 comes to a close, it's time to reflect on the last 12 months in heavy music. Here are the top 10 rock and metal stories of 2019, based on what everyone freaked out about the most.

10. Batushka vs. Batushka

Nothing like a little extreme metal drama to start off the year, huh? Things got a bit wacky here, so bare with us. Polish black metal outfit Batushka was formed in 2015 by Krzysztof Drabikowski and also consisted of vocalist Bartlomiej Krysiuk and drummer Jacek Lazarow They eventually signed to Metal Blade Records in 2017. Earlier this year, according to Metal Injection, Drabikowski announced he was parting ways with Krysiuk on his Instagram because of "inappropriate behavior" and disagreements over ownership of the band. The statement was eventually removed, and a few days later Krysiuk posted on the band's Facebook that Drabikowski was fired, but Batushka was planning to move forward and release new music without him. Lost yet? Basically, both members wanted to carry on separately, but with the band's name. But it didn't stop there. Drabikowski then posted a video on Batushka's YouTube channel, stating that he was the originator of all aspects of the band's name, music and image. Furthermore, he admitted he was taking legal action toward Krysiuk. Since then, both "versions" of Batushka have released an album — Krysiuk's Hospodi, still on Metal Blade, and Drabikowski's Панихида. As of the end of October, Metal Blade cancelled Krysiuk's Batushka's tour dates until the lawsuit is settled, which it still has not been. Yeah, we don't know what the fuck is going on either.

9. AC/DC Reportedly Reunite for New Album With Brian Johnson

Twisted Sister's Dee Snider and Behemoth's Nergal both confirmed on two separate occasions this year that AC/DC reunited with Brian Johnson and Paul Rudd with plans to release a new album. According to the two musicians, the new album will consist of outtakes from the Rock or Bust era, which feature the late Malcolm Young's pre-recorded guitar parts, and his nephew Stevie will take his place.

8. James Hetfield Enters Rehab

In late September, Metallica released a statement announcing that frontman James Hetfield had entered rehab, and their tour stint in Australia and New Zealand that Slipknot were set to open, would be postponed. Fortunately, the legendary thrash group were announced as the double-headliners for five Danny Wimmer rock festivals in 2020, which implied they had every intention of getting right back to the grind. Not only that, but the metal community showed an outpouring of support for Hetfield and the band.

7. Slipknot Bring 'Tortilla Man' Aboard

Aside from the August release of their sixth album We Are Not Your Kind, Slipknot had quite a busy year. In March, they released a statement announcing the firing of percussionist Chris Fehn after rumors began circulating that he was planning to sue the band. The Masked Nine remained at nine members, though, which they revealed in the video for the album's first single "Unsainted" in May. This new percussionist adopted the unofficial nickname "Tortilla Man" sometime during their 2019 Knotfest Roadshow, but the band wanted to keep his identity a mystery. Speculation eventually began that the new member was keyboardist Michael Pfaff, which the group have yet to confirm.

6. Slayer Play Final Show

The almighty Slayer played their very last live show on Nov. 30 at the Forum in Los Angeles, Calif. "I want to thank you for sharing your time with us," frontman Tom Araya said before the band broke into "Angel of Death" — the final song of the set. "Time is precious. So I thank you for sharing that time with us, thank you. I’m gonna miss you guys. But the most important thing I want to thank you for being a part of my life, thank you. Good night."

5. My Chemical Romance Announce Reunion

After six years inactive, My Chemical Romance announced their reunion on Halloween this year. Following the mysterious change of their social media profile images, they tweeted the news with the quote "Like phantoms forever..." At first, the announcement came with a one-off Dec. 20 show in Los Angeles, Calif., but a handful of 2020 dates were confirmed shortly after. Positive reactions from fans and fellow musicians alike flooded the internet, and it's safe to say, we are, in fact, okay now.

4. Motley Crue Return

Motley Crue made a successful return in 2019, starting with the release of their biopic The Dirt on Netflix on March 22. The soundtrack for the album, which included four new original songs recorded by the members, entered the Top 10 of the Billboard 200, making it the band's first high-charting release in over a decade. Additionally, the book version of the autobiography simultaneously returned to the New York Times Bestseller List. In the midst of the movie's explosive popularity, bassist Nikki Sixx said the only way the band would play live together again was if they were to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which he was told would never happen. However, Sixx's pledge against performing with his bandmates would later change. Due to the movie's success, a new generation of fans and a 350 percent increase in streams, Motley Crue destroyed their 2015 "cessation of touring agreement," officially returned in November and announced the 2020 Stadium Tour with Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett shortly after.

3. Ozzy Osbourne Falls Down, Gets Back Up

It all started in January with a broken blood vessel in his eye. Then it was the flu, which progressed into pneumonia. Several tour cancellations and hospitalizations later, he seemed to be on the mend, until he fell in April and aggravated old injuries that had required surgery. Now, all of Osbourne's 2019 tour dates were postponed, and the fate of the Prince of Darkness was uncertain. Later in the year, however, he endured an incredible comeback, beginning with providing guest vocals for Post Malone's "Take What You Want." Osbourne's tour dates were rescheduled for 2020, he announced his upcoming solo album Ordinary Man, due in January, released two songs and performed live at the American Music Awards. It's been a rollercoaster of a year for our Metal Prince, but he has once again proved that he can overcome anything.

2. Tool Release First New Album in 13 Years, World Goes Insane

Though they've been touring on and off throughout the years, 2019 was the year we got new music from Tool for the first time in over a decade. But first, they did what... pretty much every musician has already done since Spotify came into existence — they uploaded their discography onto digital and streaming services at the beginning of August. One by one, they started topping Billboard charts with albums that were over 20 years old. The long-awaited Fear Inoculum finally arrived at the end of the same month, debuting at No. 1 and knocking Taylor Swift's Lover straight off its throne. Most of Tool's obsessive-compulsive fanbase became instantly hooked, calling it absolutely worth the wait. To top it off, they announced a headlining tour for 2019 that would be extended into 2020. This was the year Tool dominated the music world.

1. Rage Against the Machine Reunite, Announce First Tour in Eight Years

Just in time for the political drama that was about to ensue in the U.S., the biggest musical protest band came back into existence. Rage Against the Machine confirmed reunion rumors Nov. 1, and the internet may as well have broken. Five shows were announced for 2020, including two performances at Coachella, which will be their first shows together since 2011. Way to start off the new decade. Rage is back, now testify!