2018… The Year So Far – We Name Our Top 7 Albums

How the fuck can it be the middle of the year already? 2018 is flying by at speed and showing no signs of fatigue… yet. But the best part about the year going fast, is we finally get to hear the albums we’ve been eagerly anticipating and the bands we’ve wanted to see live on the touring circuit.

With 6 months down and 6 to go, we’ve rallied up the staff to give us their opinions on the best albums to be released so far and what they’re looking forward on the horizon. So, enjoy the Wall of Sound staff’s Year So Far: The Top 7 Albums 

 

James Birkin (aka @KeepnTabs73)
Writer (Perth)

1. The Wonder Years – Sister Cities
2. Post Malone – Beerbongs & Bentleys
3. Power Trip- Opening Fire 2008-2014
4. High Tension – Purge
5. Cancer Bats – The Spark That Moves
6. Burn The Priest – Legion: XX
7. Ghost – Prequelle

 

Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2018?

The debut album from Pagan and holding out for that Metallica Australian Tour announcement.

Recent Contributions
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening
LIVE – Gig Review
Foo Fighters – Gig Review

Paul Brown (aka Browny)
Owner/Editorial Manager/Podcast Host (Bris)

1. Parkway Drive – Reverence
2. The Fever 333 – Made An America EP
3. Shinedown – Attention Attention
4. Underoath – Erase Me
5. Andrew W.K. – You’re Not Alone
6. Tonight Alive – Underworld
7. High Tension – Purge

 

Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2018?

New Music/Albums from Violent Soho, Amy Shark, Architects, Beartooth, The Veronicas and thoroughly (and honestly) critiquing blink-182’s follow up album. That and Parkway Drive’s Reverence Tour is going to fucking rule!!!

Recent Contributions
Wall of Sound Presents: Fantasy Concerts Vol. 1: The Blinkwaves Racer 44 Tour
Wall of Sound: Up Against The Wall Episode #46 feat. Matt Tuck of Bullet For My Valentine
Parkway Drive Album Review

Carys Hurcom (aka CarysWoS)
Writer (Perth)

1. The Last Gang – Keep Them Counting
2. Panic! At The Disco – Pray For The Wicked
3. Mad Caddies – Punk Rocksteady
4. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – While we’re At It
5. Pennywise – Never Gonna Die
6. The Bombpops – Dear Beer
7. Strung Out – Black Out The Sky

 

Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2018?

So many awesome bands are currently in the studio, e.g Authority Zero, Refused, but really looking forward to Ice Nine Kills’ new album ‘The Silver Scream’ out in October, and allegedly Rammstein’s new album will be out by the end of the year.  

Recent Contributions
The Top 7 Rock Entries in Eurovision
The Killers – Gig Review
Pennywise Album Review

Ricky Aarons (aka @rickysaul90)
Writer (Perth)

1. blessthefall – Hard Feelings
2. Parkway Drive – Reverence
3. Machine Head – Catharsis
4. Post Malone – Beerbongs & Bentleys
5. Three Days Grace – Outsider
6. Breaking Benjamin – Ember
7. Dream On, Dreamer – It Comes And Goes

 

Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2018?

I am thoroughly looking forward to Deafheaven’s upcoming album, partly for the new music but mostly for the prospective Australian tour that would come complement it. Overall, quite disappointed with the quantity of metal released in the first half of 2018, though what has been released has been very enjoyable. If I had to pick a gig of the first half of the year, it’s an absolute whitewash for Thy Art is Murder featuring Emmure and Fit For an Autopsy; Happy Valentines Day!

Recent Contributions
Escape The Fate – Gig Review
Saliva – Gig Review
Phil Lewis/L.A. Guns – Interview

Den Rad (aka @denocide)
Photographer/Rule Breaker/Silver Fox Screamer in Förstöra/Memento Mori (Perth)

1. Bridge Burner – Null Apostle
2. High Tension – Purge
3. Instrumental (adj.) – Reductio Ad Absurdum
4. Marmozets – Knowing What You Know Now
5. Rivers of Nihil – Where Owls Know My Name
6. Rolo Tomassi – Time Will Die and Love Will Bury It
7. Statues – No Grave, No Burial
8. Unravel – Eras of Forfeit
9. Will Haven – Muerte
10. Xenobiotic – Prometheus

Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2018?

I’m hanging for new stuff from Âme Noir, Deafheaven, Hadal Maw, Junkhead, Modern Life Is War and Palm

Recent Contributions
Suicidal Tendencies – Photo Gallery
The Butterfly Effect – Photo Gallery
Cattle Decapitation – Photo Gallery

Tomasivich (aka @DRTomasivich)
Writer (Sydney)

1. Rolo Tomassi – Time Will Die and Love Will Bury It
2. The Body – I Have Fought Against It, But I Can’t Any Longer
3. Wayfarer – World’s Blood
4. Erdve – Vaitojimas
5. Slugdge – Esoteric Malacology
6. Møl – Jord
7.  The Armed – Only Love

 

Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2018?

I’m looking forward to nuclear winter. The occurrence, not the band.

Recent Contributions
Dark Mofo – Festival Review
Direct Underground – Festival Review
Helmuth – Belphegor Interview

Benji Alldridge (aka @norks)
Writer/Photographer (Tasmania)

1. DZ Deathrays – Bloody Lovely
2. Pennywise – Never Gonna Die
3. Janelle Monáe – Dirty Computer
4. Melvins – Pinkus Abortion Technician
5. Five Finger Death Punch – And Justice For None
6. Crooked White – Confessions
7. Parkway Drive – Reverence

 

Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2018?

I’m looking forward to the second half of 2018 delivering more interesting releases. The first half has been a bit lacking in absolute bangers for me, so hopefully the second half really comes through. I’ve not actually looked what’s coming up, so when it arrives, I figure it’ll all be a pleasant surprise. It’s a bold strategy, Cotton, let’s see if it pays off.

Recent Contributions
Sounds You Need In Your Ears: King Mungi
DZ Deathrays – Gig Review
A Day On The Green – Festival Review & Photo Gallery

Simon Valentine (aka @SimonValentine1)
Writer (Canberra)

1. Parkway Drive – Reverence
2. Andrew W.K. – You’re Not Alone
3. Courtney Barnett – Tell Me How You Really Feel
4. Machine Head – Catharsis
5. Burn The Priest – Legion: XX
6. Hockey Dad – Blend Inn
7. Pennywise – Never Gonna Die

Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2018?

What’s coming up later this year? The new Alice In Chains album should be killer, and in terms of gigs I’m hoping to make it to Andrew W.K’s Sydney show in August, along with Parkway Drive’s tour in October.

Recent Contributions
Cradle of Filth – Gig Review
Burn The Priest – Album Review

Gareth Williams (aka @notgareth)
Writer/Ranga (Perth)

1. Andrew W.K. – You’re Not Alone
2. Saxon – Thunderbolt
3. Judas Priest – Firepower
4. Zeal and Ardor – Stranger Fruit
5. A Perfect Circle – Eat The Elephant
6. Ghost – Prequelle
7. Parkway Drive – Reverence

 

Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2018?

One of my favourite bands Perth locals Ragdoll are currently in the studio recording the follow up to their amazing debut Back To Zero. So here’s fingers crossed the boys drop it before the end of the year.

Recent Contributions
Steel Panther – Gig Review
Europe – Debut Australian Gig Review
Andrew W.K. – Album Review

Jerika Faithfull (aka @faithfullphotography)
Photographer (Perth)

1. Tropical Fuck Storm – A Laughing Death in Meatspace
2. Parkway Drive – Reverence
3. DZ Deathrays – Bloody Lovely
4. Between The Buried and Me – Automata I
5. High Tension – Purge
6. Burn The Priest – Legion: XX
7. Nine Inch Nail – Bad Witch EP

 

Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2018?

Parkway Drive touring Reverence across Australia with their European Stage show.

Recent Contributions
The Smith Street Band – Photo Gallery
Hyperfest – Photo Gallery
Parkway Drive – Photo Gallery

Candace Krieger (aka @candacekrieger)
Photographer (Brisbane)

1. Endless Heights – Vicious Pleasure
2. Now, Now – Saved
3. Kanye West – ye
4. Phoebe Bridgers – Stranger in the Alps
5. Caged Existence – The Body Prison
6. Casey – Where I Go When I Am Sleeping
7. Panic! At The Disco – Pray for the Wicked

Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2018?

I can’t wait for people to hear the new music from Wreath (Sydney) and Elk Locker (Canberra). I am also very excited to see Casey (UK) after touring with them in April and to see them try to avoid spiders and the Australian wildlife in general on their July tour.

Recent Contributions
Fall Out Boy – Photo Gallery
The National – Photo Gallery
Endless Heights – Album Review

Andrew Slaidins (aka @shot_by_slaidins)
Writer/Photographer (Tasmania)

1. Little Caesar – 8
2. Palace of the King – Get Right With Your Maker
3. The Lazy’s – Can’t Kill The Truth
4. Mountains of Madness – Unleash The Beast
5. Foreigner – With The 21st Century Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
6. Dead City Ruins – Never Say Die
7. The Lockhearts – American Doom Fuzz

Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2018?

New Albums from Hardcore Superstar, Cheap Trick, Massive, Electric Mary, Baby Animals, Horsehead, Def Leppard and Night Flight Orchestra.

Recent Contributions
Theory of a Deadman – Interview
Phil Jamieson – Gig Review & Photo Gallery
Hardcore Superstar – Gig Review & Photo Gallery

Bec O’Reilly (aka @bec.belles)
Writer/Photographer (Gold Coast)

1. The Bennies – Natural Born Chillers
2. Nine Inch Nails – Bad Witch EP
3. Tonight Alive – Underworld
4. Stuckfish – Calling
5. Breaking Benjamin – Ember
6. Dear Seattle – Dear Seattle
7. Arctic Monkeys – Tranquillity Base Hotel & Casino

Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2018?

Looking forward to summer and the onslaught of wicked new music and live gigs! Oh and please Pearl Jam… more new stuff please!

Recent Contributions
Big Pineapple Festival – Gig Review & Photo Gallery
P.O.D. – Gig Review & Photo Gallery
Bluesfest – Photo Gallery

Kim Anderson (aka @shootthewickedwitch)
Photographer (Perth)

1. Mike Shinoda – Post Traumatic EP
2. Grant Larseny – Dirty Laundry
3. Cancer Bats – The Spark That Moves
4. Real Sickies – Get Well Soon
5. The Wombats – People Will Ruin Your Life
6. DMA’s – For Now
7.  Frank Turner – Be More Kind

 

Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2018?

The Nun coming out in October…oh wait did you mean music? Well Rick Astley has an album out the day before my birthday so that might be cool.

Recent Contributions
Good Riddance – Photo Gallery
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes – Photo Gallery
Foo Fighters – Photo Gallery

Michael Parente (aka @parenteswagking)
Writer (Brisbane)

1. TesseracT – Sonder
2. Alison Wonderland – Awake
3. Parkway Drive – Reverence
4. What So Not – Not All The Beautiful Things
5. Northlane – Analogue Future
6. Above And Beyond – Common Ground
7. The Plot In You – Dispose

Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2018?

RL Grime finally releasing Nova FINALLY

Recent Contributions
TesseracT – Album Review
The Top 7 Heavy bands Dominating Australia’s Upper Echelon

Emanuel Rudnicki (aka Carving A Giant)
Photography (Perth)

1. Ihsahn – Ámr
2. Kamelot – Shadow Theory
3. Judas Priest – Firepower
4. Watain – Trident Wolf Eclipse
5. Dimmu Borgir – Eonian
6. Angra – Omni
7. Royal Hunt – Cast in Stone

Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2018?

Looking forward to hearing the new Immortal album ‘Northern Chaos Gods’ when it gets released, as well as the Michael Romeo solo album. I’m also looking forward to the Manowar down-under tour that will never happen

Recent Contributions
High Tension – Photo Gallery
Cradle of Filth – Photo Gallery
Ihsahn – Gig Review & Photo Gallery

 

That’s our thoughts, what about you? What albums/EPs have caught your attention this year that NEED to be heard and what are you looking forward to in the second half of the year? Join the community and hit us up on the Wall of Sound Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages.