I mean, just look at what's happened in our world over the past twelve months. Massive, scene-shaking albums? Check. Slipknot, Rammstein, Babymetal and, finally, after thirteen long, hard years, Tool all released blockbuster records. Gigantic tours? You betcha. If Rammstein setting half the world on fire wasn’t big enough, we also had the small matter of Metallica taking Ghost around some of Europe’s biggest stadiums. And that’s not all. From veterans to young blood, from the underground to arenas, metal is in amazingly rude health, and as always, we were on the frontlines across the year to bring you the stories that mattered. Here are some of our favourites. Enjoy!