2002

The world in 2002 was still living in the shadow of September 2001, with the war on terror setting the political agenda. The euro arrived in people's pockets in January, Timor-Leste became a new country, and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers did the biggest business at the cinema while Eminem ruled the album charts.

Rock spent the year looking over its shoulder as much as ahead. Linkin Park were everywhere, with the remix set Reanimation in July and the early-material collection Underground V2.0 in November, while Korn answered with Untouchables in June. Foo Fighters returned with One by One in October, Pearl Jam with Riot Act in November, and Oasis with Heathen Chemistry in July. Weezer delivered Maladroit, Green Day offered the odds-and-ends Shenanigans, and Nine Inch Nails put out Still alongside And All That Could Have Been. Older hands were busy too: Iron Maiden's Rock in Rio, Ozzy Osbourne's Live at Budokan, Def Leppard's X and Motörhead's Hammered. Nirvana's self-titled compilation kept grunge in circulation for anyone who wanted a reminder.

It was a grim year for the people involved. Layne Staley of Alice in Chains died in April, and the band were counted among those who disbanded. Dave Mustaine's arm injury ended Megadeth for the time being. Fear Factory fell apart in March after Burton C. Bell fell out with Dino Cazares. Paul Baloff of Exodus, Randy Castillo, Robbin Crosby, John Entwistle and Drowning Pool's Dave Williams all died. Clive Burr was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. On the brighter side, Dave Lombardo rejoined Slayer, and Whitesnake and Trouble both reformed.