2009

In 2009 Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, and a swine flu pandemic became the main health worry. The global economy shrank for the first time since the Second World War, then began a slow recovery late in the year. Susan Boyle's turn on Britain's Got Talent went round the world, and her album became the year's biggest seller.

Rock spent much of the year looking backwards and doing it rather well. Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown led the vault's releases, with Rammstein's Liebe ist für alle da, Pearl Jam's Backspacer and Alice in Chains' Black Gives Way to Blue close behind. Thrash held its ground through Slayer's World Painted Blood and Megadeth's Endgame, and the two bands co-headlined the Canadian Carnage tour with Machine Head and Suicide Silence. Iron Maiden wrapped up their Somewhere Back in Time tour after 90 shows in 38 countries, issued Flight 666, and became the first heavy metal band to win a Brit Award, for Best Live Act. Metallica went into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 4 April, bringing Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted into the induction. Reunions included Faith No More and Accept.

The year had its darker side. Varg Vikernes left prison after 16 years, and a court ruled that Infernus was the rightful owner of the Gorgoroth name, leaving Gaahl and King ov Hell to form God Seed. Dave Mustaine had neck surgery, Ronnie James Dio was diagnosed with stomach cancer, and Aerosmith dropped Steven Tyler in November. The year closed with the death of The Rev, drummer of Avenged Sevenfold, on 28 December.