Wall of Sound presents: “2017 YEAR IN REVIEW” – by Wall of Sound Writer/Ranga Gareth Williams

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Gareth Williams

BOOM! Another year at Wall Of Sound. It’s been a fun year, lots of highs and the odd low. This year I managed to catch up with a few of the Perth crew at different gigs and I even had a couple of beers with legend in chief Paul ‘Browny’ Brown. Looking back I found I’m working with some amazing and creative people, it’s actually a little humbling when I read the quality of reviews produced here. We also have some of the best photogs I’ve ever worked with, don’t believe me? Have a look through any of the galleries, there’s more than one creative genius armed with a DSLR.

As another year bites the dust, it’s always fun to have a look back at the highlights. With the sheer volume of fantastic releases, we saw in 2016 I didn’t think this year would be able to deliver. As usual I was wrong.

Sadly, we lost some amazing talented people along the way with Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington tragically leaving us way too soon. Aussie (immigrant) music legends and brothers George and Malcolm Young left a hell of a legacy behind. There are many many more I realise, but this is a year in review not obituaries in review.

So did 2017 deliver? Shit yeah! Read on for my musical highlights with my Wall of Sound 2017 Year In Review

Top 20 Albums of 2017

1. FOZZY – Judas
2. TABERAH – Sinners Lament
3. SLEEPMAKESWAVES – Made Of Breath
4. CALIGULA’S HORSE – In Contact
5. BODY COUNT – Bloodlust

6. ALICE COOPER – Paranormal
7. REX BROWN – Smoke On This
8. TRIGGER – Cryogenesis
9. MASON – Impervious
10. SOEN – Lykaia

JOHN CARPENTER – Anthology (Movie Themes 1974-1998)

11. SILENT KNIGHT – The Angel Reborn (EP)
12. JOHN CARPENTER – Anthology (Movie Themes 1974-1998)
13. IN THIS MOMENT – Ritual
14. OVER-REACTOR – Cocaine Headdress
15. FIGURES – Cronos (EP)

16. KREATOR – Gods Of Violence
17. OVERKILL – The Grinding Wheel
18. DESTRUCTION – Thrash Anthems II
19. BLOOD – Then Comes Silence
20. CONTRIVE – Slow Dissolve

Top 10 Songs of 2017

1. Fozzy – ‘Three Days In Jail’
2. Taberah – ‘Child Of Storm‘
3. Body Count – ‘No Lives Matter‘
4. Rex Brown – ‘Buried Alive‘
5. Alice Cooper – ‘Genuine American Girl‘

6. Mason – ‘Impervious‘
7. Caligula’s Horse – ‘Will’s Song (Let the Colours Run)‘
8. Trigger – ‘Tethered To The Tide‘
9. sleepmakeswaves – ‘The Edge Of Everything‘
10. Over-Reactor– ‘ Judgement Day‘

Top 5 Gigs of 2017

1. ALICE COOPER/ACE FREHLEY – October 17th @ Perth Arena (Review & Gallery Here) 📷: Kim Anderson

2. DEVIN TOWNSEND – May 26^th @ Amplifier, Perth (Review & Gallery Here) 📷: Emanuel Rudnicki

3. SLEEPMAKESWAVES/CALIGULA’S HORSE – April 7^th @ Badlands, Perth (Review & Gallery Here) 📷: Josh Ludlow

4. GUNS ‘N ROSES – February 22^nd @ Domain Stadium, Perth

5. SILENT KNIGHT/TABERAH/MASON – July 14^th @ Amplifier, Perth (Review & Gallery Here) 📷: Vin Trik

What Are You Most Looking Forward To In 2018?

There’s been a slew of tours already announced, but for me it has to be Swedish industrial outfit Pain hitting Australian shores in May with Witchgrinder