I know we say this every year, but 2023 has been gigantic for not only releases but tours - so many tours, so little time - and we are all involved with as much as possible here at WoS HQ.
Whether it be the heaviest of heavy breakdowns, the melancholy melodic moods music puts us in, or just the br00tal gutturals from our fav acts, we're keen to ride the wave and make up for lost time with a look at the Wall of Sound Staff of 2023's list of our Fav Releases so far, and a snapshot of what we're anticipating to be well worth your time and attention as the year progresses on from the halfway mark...
Paul ‘Browny’ Brown (@brownypaul)CEO/Boss Man/Stage Invader (Bris)
Top 7 Releases So Far
1. Trophy Eyes - Suicide and Sunshine
2. The Amity Affliction - Not Without My Ghosts
3. Story Of The Year - Tear Me to Pieces
4. Harroway - I Don't Want To Be Here Anymore EP
5. Wildheart – 'Solid Rock // Sacred Ground'
6. Chaos Awaits - Destination: Sanchez
7. Ghost - PHANTOMIME
Fav song on repeat at the moment?
Trophy Eyes - 'Sean'
Most looking forward to in the second half of 2023?
Editing these UK//EU Festival AfterFilms for you. The trip was fucking surreal and I can't wait to show you what happened. BEARTOOOOOOTH live at the end of the month and catching AVATAR again, who blew all expectations when I caught them at Graspop!
The new album from Polaris (Ryan Siew Forever) is going to hit much harder following recent events, and I hope the boys know how loved and supported they are in the lead-up xoxo
Also, putting out Wall Of Sound's first official zine (feat. more than just music) is going to be a goal never thought possible without your support. Massive things are happening at WoS HQ, and we're only halfway through the year.
Recent contributions
Wall Of Sound’s Whirlwind UK/Euro Fest Circuit Teaser
Knotfest Australia AfterFilm
Wall Of Sound TV - Season 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0LJo2iunpo
Ricky Aarons (@rickysaul90)
Co-Editor/Deathcore Connoisseur (Melb)
Top 7 Releases So Far
1. Currents - The Death We Seek
2. Chelsea Grin - Suffer in Heaven
3. ten56. - Downer Pt. 2
4. Left To Suffer - Feral
5. Cattle Decapitation - Terrasite
6. To The Grave - Directors Cuts
7. Metallica - 72 Seasons
Fav song on repeat at the moment?
Signs of the Swarm - 'Malady'. It's heavy, original and completely different to the two singles preceding it.
Most looking forward to in the second half of 2023?
With Currents' new record making solid ground for AOTY, I'm very looking forward to seeing them live in Australia, and crossing all my fingers and toes that they do a headliner outside of the arena shows booked (where they're opening), as I missed their headline show last year and reckon their live production would be nothing short of magnificent. Oh and, more Darko (US) music #neverstops.
Recent contributions
Drummer Josh ‘Baby J’ Miller Leaves SPITE to Focus on Darko (US)
Introducing: No Life - NZ Nu-Metalcore
Knotfest Australia AfterFilm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Br2zmu-sEI
Ebony Story (@ebony.rose.s)
Host/Project Manager/Trend Starter
Top 7 Releases So Far
1. Trophy Eyes - Suicide and Sunshine
2. alt. - ABEYANCE
3. Currents - The Death We Seek
4. Foo Fighters - But Here We Are
5. Harroway – I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore
6. Enter Shikari – A Kiss For The Whole World
7. Gideon – MORE POWER. MORE PAIN.
Fav song on repeat at the moment?
'My Inheritance' by Trophy Eyes from their new album Suicide and Sunshine. It's addictive and my favourite track on the album.
Most looking forward to in the second half of 2023?
I'm really interested to hear Polaris' new album! I'm also looking forward to creating more WoS TV episodes with Browny and our incredible videographer Mitch Chamberlain (@chamberlainmedia), we have so much fun which I hope translates on camera for you all as well.
Recent contributions
John Floreani - Trophy Eyes Interview
Knotfest Australia AfterFilm
Wall Of Sound TV - Season 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLmpf3GkOho
Gareth Williams (Gareth Williams Music)
Writer/Ranga (Perth)
Top 7 Releases So Far
1. Metal Church – Congregation Annihilation
2. Sweet & Lynch – Heart & Sacrifice
3. Metallica – 72 Seasons
4. Avatar – Dance Devil Dance
5. Sicksense – Fools Tomorrow EP
6. IGNEA – Dreams Of Lands Unseen
7. Black Stone Brewers – Conduit EP
Fav song on repeat at the moment?
Voyager - 'Promise'
Most looking forward to in the second half of 2023?
With NWOBHM legends Iron Maiden not only heading off on a new world tour but also releasing a set list full of deep cuts and songs they rarely play live, I have everything crossed the band includes Australia sometime this year. It’s been an eternity since their Book of Souls Tour and now we have that pesky pandemic out of the way there’s no excuse right? … Right?
Recent contributions
The Iron Maidens @ Amplifier, Perth (Gig Review)
Who The F*ck Are Avatar?
11 Heavy Bands From Ukraine You Should Be Listening To
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agG7ShZGfJM
Alex Sievers
Writer/Daddy (Melb)
Top 7 Releases So Far
1. The HIRS Collective – We’re Still Here
2. fromjoy – Fromjoy
3. The Ongoing Concept – Again
4. Incendiary – Change The Way You Think About Pain
5. Sleepsculptor – Divine Recalibration
6. Pupil Slicer – Blossom
7. The St. Pierre Snake Invasion – Galore
Fav song on repeat at the moment?
Johnny Booth - 'Collapse In The Key Of Fireworks'
Most looking forward to in the second half of 2023?
Music? Big expectations for the aforementioned Johnny Booth record! I have hopes Hail The Sun’s upcoming record will grab me, as the singles actually haven’t so far, despite how much I like those guys. Home Is Where’s The Whaler, arrives June 16th (which might be out by the time this gets published) and that could very well be one of 2023’s best emo-indie records based on its two singles thus far. Loma Prieta’s new LP, Last, drops June 30th and so far is looking to be quite excellent and emotionally draining. Dope! I also just can’t wait to uncover all the hidden gems of 2023 over the next six months through informative places of musical discovery like The Pitch Of Discontent (Mr. Owen Morawitz), Everything Is Noise’s dense monthly wrap-ups (a site yours truly wrote for briefly after leaving KYS behind), and the well-knowing folks over at Mathcore Index.
Gaming wise? Final Fantasy XVI drops this month! Alan Wake 2 (fucking finally!) is in October, Spider-Man 2 this September (potentially), there’s that remake of Silent Hill 2 that might possibly come out this year, and also on the survival-horror front, there’s a new Alone In The Dark reboot with David Harbour, which could go either way. Ghostrunner 2 looks sick, very keen for more high-speed cyber ninja chaos. And Armored Core VI hits us in August. We just don’t get new mech games like this anymore, and if it turns out well, mimicking FromSoftware’s success with Elden Ring but for the AC series’ own metrics, I bet there’ll be a resurgence of mech titles in the following years.
Movies? Dune Part Two has gotta be my most hyped film of 2023. I like Nia DaCosta as a director – her 2021 Candyman reboot-sequel with Jordan Peele was great and more people should’ve seen it – and she’s also doing The Marvels. So fingers crossed phase five doesn’t drop off a cliff going forward from how refreshingly solid Guardians Vol.3 was for the MCU of late. There’s also Gareth Edwards’ next film, The Creator. Given how utterly awesome Godzilla (2014) and Rogue One were, I’m keen to see what he’s cooked up here. Original, big budget sci-fi films are a rare treat these days, and I’ll be there opening week to see if he’s gone three-for-three.
Recent contributions
Enter Shikari – A Kiss To The Whole World (Album Review)
50 of the Best Heavy/Alternative Album Openers (Article)
He Is Legend @ Stay Gold, Melbourne (Gig Review)
KJ Draven (Twitter and Instagram)
Writer/Eurovision Tragic/Playlist curator (Melb)
Top 7 Releases So Far
1. Voyager - 'Promise'
2. In Flames - Foregone
3. BabyMetal - The Other One
4. To The Grave - Director’s Cuts
5. Cattle Decapitation - Terrasite
6. Currents - The Death We Seek
7. Honest Crooks - The Sounds of Hell
Fav song on repeat at the moment?
Jack Black - 'Peaches'
Most looking forward to in the second half of 2023?
New Code Orange. New Polaris. New Sylosis. New Voyager. New Thy Art is Murder. New Evile. New Soen. New Spiritbox? Good Things returning? Taking my kids to see Ghost.
Recent contributions
Foo Fighters - But Here We Are (Album Review)
EuroVision Song Contest Recap (Article)
Ghost - Phantomime (EP Review)
Adam Rice (aka @riceyadam)
Writer/Interviewer (Melb via Vancouver)
Top 7 Releases So Far
1. To The Grave – Director’s Cuts
2. Invent Animate – Heavener
3. Melancolia – HissThroughRottenTeeth
4. Currents – The Death We Seek
5. The Amity Affliction – Not Without My Ghosts
6. HEAVENSGATE – And All I Loved, I loved Alone
7. Harroway – I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore
Fav song on repeat at the moment?
The Amity Affliction – 'When It Rains It Pours'
Most looking forward to in the second half of 2023?
I’m excited to embrace Wall of Sound’s worldwide expansion by covering live music events internationally wherever possible as we become the world’s number one alternative music publication. Artists such as Polaris, Tapestry, Signs of The Swarm, Movements Thy Art Is Murder, and Trophy Eyes are just a handful of the artists that will be feeding my everlasting appetite for new albums.
Recent contributions
The Amity Affliction – Not Without My Ghosts (Album Review)
Harroway – I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore (Album Review)
Jake Taylor – In Hearts Wake (Interview)
Andrew Kapper (@andrew_kapper)
Writer/Gear Reviewer (Bris)
Top 7 Releases So Far
1. The Acacia Strain - Failure Will Follow
2. Frozen Soul - Glacial Domination
3. The Acacia Strain - Step Into The Light
4. Mental Cruelty - Zwielicht
5. Jesus Piece - …So Unknown
6. Sanguisugabogg - Homicidal Ecstacy
7. Cattle Decapitation - Terrasite
Fav songs on repeat at the moment?
Creeping Death - ‘The Common Breed’
Most looking forward to in the second half of 2023?
New albums from Outer Heaven, Signs of the Swarm, Crown Magnetar, Humanity’s Last Breath, The ZenithPassage, Sylosis, Suffocation and more! Upcoming tours from The Acacia Strain, Cattle Decapitation, Archspire/Ingested and Napalm Death.
Recent contributions
END @ The Brightside, Brisbane (Gig Review)
Deafheaven @ The Triffid, Brisbane (Gig Review)
Jackson X Series Signature Scott Ian King V “Baldini” (Gear Review)
Katie Torrance (@idpreferyoudead)
Film Reviewer/Horror Officinato (Camp Crystal Lake)
Top 7 Movies So Far
1. Beau Is Afraid
2. Missing
3. Women Talking
4. Cocaine Bear
5. We Have A Ghost
6. The Pope’s Exorcist
7. The Boogeyman
Fav song on repeat at the moment?
Bring Me The Horizon - 'LosT'
Most Looking Forward To In The Second Half Of 2023?
There are so many reboots and sequels out this year that there’s not much I’m really excited about in the horror department. I am pretty keen to see the Barbie movie and Strays though, they look like being a real laugh. I also can’t wait to watch grown men all over the internet cry when The Marvels comes out in November.
Recent Contributions
Renfield - Fim Review
Women Talking - Film Review
Bride of the Killer Pinata - Film Review
Will Oakeshott (aka @teenwolfwill)
Writer/Interviewer/SwordfishTrombone Screamclimber (Adel)
Top 7 Releases So Far (no particular order)
Lo! – The Gleaners
Myrkur – Ragnarok
Sigur Rós– ÁTTA
Foo Fighters – But Here We Are
Lana Del Rey – Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd
Frenzal Rhomb – The Cup Of Pestilence
Johnny The Boy – You
Fav songs on repeat at the moment?
Better Lovers – ’30 Under 13’
Side note, plug my own band shameful plug SwordfishTrombone ‘HurriCarter’
Most looking forward to in the second half of 2023?
Far too much to put here: Clearly the Better Lovers album, the new Kvelertak record, Thrice coming to Australia (and the new LP please?), something from The Cure, Myrkur has a proper new full-length coming, Geoff Rickly’s Novel, Foo Fighters in Adelaide, more shows and studio time with SwordfishTrombone (very excited to be supporting King Parrot soon!), La Dispute Wildlife tour (and new music please?). There is a lot more to add but I am all Willidiot at the moment after the delight of Dark Mofo!
Recent contributions
Deafheaven - Dark Mofo Gig Review
IHSAHN - Interview
UNIFY - Off The Record Adelaide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU-nwWuyKXc
Renae Egan (@renaeegan)
Photographer/Harry Styles Stan (Syd)
Top 7 Releases So Far
1. Fall Out Boy - So Much (For) Stardust
2. McFly - Power to Play
3. Between You & Me - ‘Nevermind’
4. Bring Me The Horizon - ‘LoST’
5. Paramore - This Is Why
6. You Me At Six - Truth Decay
7. All Time Low - Tell Me I’m Alive
Fav song on repeat at the moment?
It’s a tie between ‘What A Time To Be Alive’ by Fall Out Boy and ‘I’m Fine’ by McFly
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2023?
So many things but I think seeing Paramore and shooting more shows are equally at the top of the list!
Recent Contributions
Andrew McMahon - Photo Gallery
State Champs - Photo Gallery
Hevenshe - Debut Show Review & Gallery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYv0PkWwh8k
Rod Whitfield (@rod_whitfield)
Writer/Interviewer (Melb)
Top 7 Releases So Far
1. Sleep Token – Take Me Back to Eden
2. Distant – Heritage
3. To the Grave – Directors Cuts
4. Klone – Meanwhile
5. Jakub Zytecki – Remind Me
6. Periphery – Periphery V: Djent is Not a Genre
7. Veil of Maya – [m]other
Fav song on repeat at the moment?
Lune Asea - 'Outlier'
Most looking forward to in the second half of 2023?
There’s two movies I’m busting out of my skin with excitement about: Dune Part II and the Hunger Games prequel. Musically, there’s new albums from: Voyager, Signs of the Swarm, Mental Cruelty.
Recent contributions
Voyager – Gig Review – 10th June @ Stay Gold, Melbourne Vic
Mushroom Giant – In a Forest (Album Review)
Leigh Davies – Lune Asea ‘Origins of these Musical Outliers’
Lili Jean Berry (aka @lilijeanberry)
Interviewer/Writer (Melb)
Top 7 Releases So Far:
1. Bad Juju – ‘The Other Side’
2. Redhook – ‘Postcard Xo’
3. Paramore – ‘C’est Comme Ça’
4. Spiritbox – ‘The Void’
5. Alt – ‘A.D.D’
6. Patient 67 – ‘Lake Valley’
7. To Octavia – ‘Kiss Kiss Kiss’
Fav song on repeat at the moment?
Make Them Suffer – Ghost Of Me
Most looking forward to in the second half of 2023?
For all of the projects I am currently working on to FINALLY be released to the public!
Recent contributions
I interviewed the front men of two of my favourite bands this year & TRULY I am still pinching myself. Sam Carter from Architects ahead of their AUS tour & Ville Valo (previously HIM) on his debut album as a solo artist, Neon Noir.
As if that wasn’t enough, I got to review a Bad Omens show on their first visit to Australia & if you refer to my 2022 Year In Review you will know that Death Of Peace Of Mind was my top album last year & to be honest, it still is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAp3BPUfj2o
Duane James (@duanejamestattoo)
Writer/Heavy Metal Bogan/Tattooist (Syd)
Top 7 Releases So Far (In no particular order)
Astrodeath - Volume II
Lo! - The Gleaners
Cattle Decapitation - Terrasite
Sick Fizz - We Fucked This City On Rock & Roll
Steel Panther - On The Prowl
Ne Obliviscarus - Exul
Metallica - 72 Seasons
Fav song on repeat at the moment?
Leviathan Rising by ASTRODEATH
Most looking forward to in the second half of 2023?
Cattle Decapitation and Archspire Tour, Cannibal Corpse's new album and cake on my birthday
Recent contributions
Lo! - Gig Review
Scott Ian - Baldini Guitar Interview
Knotfest Australia - AfterFilm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Law5fTSrM
Bec O’Reilly (@bec.belles)
Photographer/Reviewer (Gold Coast)
Top 7 Releases So Far (In no particular order)
1. The Square Tugs - ‘Screaming at the Wall’
2. Fake News - ‘Nothing Town’
3. The Beautiful Chaos Corporation - 'Dust'
4. The Answer - ‘Blood Brother’
5. The Last Martyr - ‘Comedy/Tragedy’
6. Hilltop Hoods - ‘Laced up’
7. The Silencio - ‘Taciturn> Talkative’
Fav song on repeat at the moment?
The Square Tugs - ‘Apple of my Eye’
Most looking forward to in the second half of 2023?
A bumper summer gig/festival season kicking off with Grinspoon, Highly Suspect and of course everyone is excited for the Foo Fighters tour!
Some of the bands I work with have new releases and videos coming out later this year – it’s always exciting to work with bands through the various stages of their musical creations.
Gold Coast Music Awards in August – last year Wildheart were a feature. Looking forward to seeing who the finalists are this year on the heavier scale of things.
Recent contributions
Fake News - Interview
Everclear - Gig Review & Photo Gallery
Mudhoney - Gig Review & Photo Gallery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy98abP_vJM
Nicholas Simonsen (@blackechomusic)
Writer/Interviewer (Melb)
Top 7 Releases So Far
Thrice – The Artist In The Ambulance Revisited
City & Colour – The Love Still Held Me Near
Queens Of The Stone Age – In Times New Roman
The Ocean – Holocene
Sleep Token – Take Me Back To Eden
Clint Lowery – Ghostwriter
Blindfolded And Led To The Woods – Rejecting Obliteration
Fav song on repeat at the moment?
Sevendust – 'Everything'
Most looking forward to in the second half of 2023?
Excited for new records from a few of my favourite bands. Crazy excited to see Thrice play ‘The Artist In The Ambulance’ in full and most importantly, I’m excited for Caution:Thieves to release their first new music in four years very soon.
Recent contributions
Johnny Christ - Avenged Sevenfold Interview
Slowly Slowly - Gig Review
Robin Staps - The Ocean Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9-1bb_KCfA
Simon Valentine (@SimonValentineAU)
Writer/Interviewer (Sydney/Newcastle/Central Coast)
Top 7 Releases So Far
1. Foo Fighters – But Here We Are
2. Mudhoney – Plastic Eternity
3. Frenzal Rhomb – The Cup Of Pestilence
4. BabyMetal – The Other One
5. Nemophila - RISE
6. Hanabie – Osaki Ni Shitsurei Shimasu (Pardon Me I Have To Go Now)
7. SCANDAL – Line Of Sight
Fav song on repeat at the moment?
Hanabie – 'TOUSOU (Run Away)'
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2023?
The recent BABYMETAL Australian tour in June was a massive success, so fingers crossed Destroy All Lines take the appetite for J-Metal/J-Rock on board and bring some other long-awaited Japanese acts to this year’s Good Things lineup (it’s well overdue for BAND-MAID to make the journey down.) Also looking forward to ticking The Descendants off the bucket list later this year, and hopefully getting to the Foo Fighters in Sydney.
In terms of new music, it’s been a while since we’ve heard from Dragonforce, so would love to see something new from them, and I’ve heard that Pearl Jam have been working on something that’s a little heavier than their last album.
Recent Contributions
Guy Maddison - Mudhoney Interview
Mudhoney – Plastic Eternity (Album Review)
All Time Low – Tell Me I’m Alive (Album Review)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9cC2_V7JwE
Tyler Lubke (@huntsman421)
Fresh Meat Writer (NSW)
Top 7 Releases So Far
1. Mélancolia - HissThroughRottenTeeth
2. To The Grave - Directors Cuts
3. Bring Me The Horizon - 'Lost'
4. Knocked Loose - Upon Loss Singles
5. Make Them Suffer - 'Ghost of Me'
6. The Beautiful Monument - 'Misery'
7. Artifact - Insurrection
Fav song on repeat at the moment?
This has changed throughout the year, but lately, it's gotta be To The Grave's latest single 'Shock Tactics (1000v)'.
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2023?
Polaris' Fatalism, Bring Me The Horizon's Post Human: Nex Gen, Signs of the Swarm's Among The Low and Empty, are all enticing releases for me this year.
The shows I'm most keen to see later this year are Polaris on their Fatalism Tour, Electric Callboy on their Tekkno Tour, and To The Grave on their East Coast Tour to name a few. Hopefully an awesome Good Things Festival 2023 lineup keeps things going until the end of the year too!
Recent Contributions
UNIFY - Off The Record Wollongong Review
Left To Suffer - Feral (Album Review)
Melancolia - HissThroughRottenTeen (Album Review)
