Wall of Sound Presents: “2021 YEAR IN REVIEW” – By Writer/Podcast Host Ebony Story

Posted on December 3, 2021 by Ebony Story

Goodness me! It’s been quite a year hasn’t it? To be honest, it’s been pretty busy and sometimes stressful, but I made it through the other side all in one piece. I’m not sure if anyone knows, but I started a podcast this year! I’ve been working on Educate Ebony since about last November and I finally put it out there at the end of June and then kept it going for an episode a week for 23 weeks! It’s been a really incredible experience and I can’t believe I managed to chat with so many cool people in the music industry about metal. Thank you to everyone who checked it out too, it was very surreal seeing so many tags in your Spotify Wrapped yesterday.

So overall, it’s been a challenging and exciting year!

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2021

10. Boston Manor – DESPERATE TIMES DESPERATE PLEASURES
9. Weightless – Turn The Page
8. Wage War – Manic
7. Deadlights – The Uncanny Valley
6. ERRA – ERRA

5. Slowly Slowly – Race Car Blues Chapter 2
4. Don Broco – Amazing Things
3. Spiritbox – Eternal Blue
2. Sly Withers – Gardens
1. Onslow – Onslow

TOP 10 SONGS OF 2021?

10. The Plot In You ‘Face Me’
9. Reliqa ‘The Bearer of Bad News’
8. Trophy Eyes ‘27 Club’
7. Spiritbox ‘Sun Killer’
6. Void Of Vision ‘VAMPYR’

5. Make Them Suffer ‘Contraband’ feat. Courtney LaPlante
4. AGAPANTHER ‘Last Legs’
3. Slowly Slowly ‘The Best Bits’
2. Onslow ‘Saving Face’
1. Don Broco ‘Anaheim’

BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF 2021

Jeez, have you seen Spiritbox’s ‘Circle With Me’ music video? So cinematic! So dramatic! I love Courtney LaPlante’s outfit and entire aesthetic. God, she’s cool.

FIRST GIG YOU HAVE LINED UP POST-COVID?

Knight and Day Festival! Keep your eyes peeled for some cool content 😉

WHAT BAND/S GOT YOU THROUGH THESE PAST TWO YEARS?

I mean, I always spin a lot of Slowly Slowly, but Onslow, Spiritbox, and Polaris definitely kept me going.

WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT YOU GOING INTO NEXT YEAR?

I feel like I’ve made a lot of connections this year and had the opportunity to learn a lot of things from many very cool people in the music industry. And through creating a podcast for the first time, I’ve developed more confidence in my interviewing skills, and also learned a lot about metal along the way! So, I think going into next year I’ll be feeling more confident in myself and ready to put this face of mine out there more.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ebony Story (@ebonyrose.s)

FAV NEW BAND/MUSICIAN DISCOVERED IN 2021

As you can probably tell, I’ve been absolutely sold on Onslow since their debut self-titled EP came out in July. They’ve been in my ‘On Repeat’ Spotify playlist ever since and I’m so excited to hear more from them.

NEXT BIG AUSSIE ACT TO WATCH IN 2022?

I really think Pridelands are going to have a monstrous 2022. They have their debut album, Light Bends, coming out in January and I reckon it’s going to set them up for some good things.