Its always at this point of the year where we sit back an go... "Is it really July already?" For some, the year has gone fast and for others, this year has already produced some of the best albums we've had the opportunity to listen to. Seriously, how good has this year been for new music within the heavy scene!?
Our Wall of Sound staff have taken a look back at the past six months and collated what we think are some of the best that deserve your attention (if you haven't heard them yet) and we also give our thoughts for what you should be looking out for in the second half of the year... Behold our 2019... The Year So Far aka the Mid-Year Review!!!
Paul 'Browny' Brown (aka @brownypaul)
Owner/Editorial Manager/Podcast Host (Bris)
1. The Damned Things - High Crimes
2. Fever 333 - Strength In Numb333rs
3. Bring Me The Horizon - amo
4. Dealer - Soul Burn EP
5. The Beautiful Monument - I'm The Reaper
6. While She Sleeps - SO WHAT?
7. Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes – End Of Suffering
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2019?
Angels & Airwaves to tour Australia (hopefully) on the back of their new album (also hopefully). New music from The Veronicas, Slipknot, KoRn, blink-182, Sum 41 and Violent Soho, those Beartooth and Architects' Tours, oh yeah and Metallica + Slipknot too I guess.
Recent Contributions
Caleb Shomo/Beartooth Podcast
The Damned Things - High Crimes (Album Review)
End The Shooey - Opinion Piece
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKdULf6iCng&w=853&h=480]
Ebony Story (aka @ebonyrose.s)
Writer (Bris)
1. Sleep Talk – Everything In Colour
2. Dance Gavin Dance – Artificial Selection (Instrumental)
3. I Prevail - Trauma
4. Windwaker – Empire EP
5. Alpha Wolf – Fault EP
6. Awaken I Am – The Beauty In Tragedy EP
7. The Last Martyr – Creatrix EP
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2019?
BEARTOOTH’S AUSTRALIAN TOUR. That and more new music from Alien Weaponry, Slowly Slowly, Redhook and Young Lions.
Recent Contributions
SKYND - Interview
West Thebarton - Gig Review
John Floreani - sin (Album Review)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDy7-GuYwpQ&w=853&h=480]
James Birkin (aka @KeepnTabs73)
Writer (Perth)
in no particular order
Clowns - Nature/Nurture
Fever 333 - Strength In Numb333rs
Judiciary - Surface Noise
Gary Clark Jnr - This Land
Incite - Built to Destroy
Rammstein - Rammstein
Rage - Rage
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2019?
Fingers crossed for another IDLES album. I stupidly only recently discovered them and I'm an idiot for it. The most exciting band I've heard in many many years.
Recent Contributions
Clowns - Nature/Nurture (Album Review)
Tobias Forge/Ghost/Cardinal Copia - Interview
Download Festival Ashes Spreading Mishap
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8MkivW5eu8&w=853&h=480]
Kim Anderson (aka @shootthewickedwitch)
Photographer (Perth)
1. Rammstein - Rammstein
2. Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes – End Of Suffering
3. The Donald Trumpets – Waterboarding at Guantanamo Bay
4. Rat Boy – Internationally Unknown
5. Clowns – Nature/Nurture
6. Miley Cyrus – She Is Coming
7. OOMPH - Wunschkind
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2019?
Look if I’m going to be honest here I’m probably going to spend a solid 3 months just listening to “I’d unfuck you if I could…” (from Waterparks' new song) to pay attention to anything else happening in the world. I’m also really looking forward to Rammstein not touring Australia…still. I mean I've only been waiting 2 years since seeing the t-shirt. What's another year?
Recent Contributions
Frank Carter Fan Fav Songs
Keith Flint Tribute Contribution
Millencolin - Photo Gallery
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0NfI2NeDHI&w=853&h=480]
Tamara May (aka @citylightsTAM )
Writer/Photographer (Darwin)
1. I Prevail - Trauma
2. Woes - Awful Truth
3. While She Sleeps - SO WHAT?
4. Youth Fountain - Letters to Our Former Selves
5. The Bottom Line - No Vacation
6. Fever 333 - Strength in Numb333rs
7. Windwaker - Empire
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2019?
BEARTOOOOTH by a mile, pulling all the stops to attend Snowtunes (though I could go without it for one year, but apparently snowboarding gives me more FOMO than Warped Tour!) and an I Prevail Trauma Australian tour announcement. Oh yeah, and writing more awesome reviews for Wall of Sound obviously! :)
Recent Contributions
BassInTheGrass - Festival Review & Gallery
Caitlin Henry/Eat Your Heart Out - Interview
I Prevail (Album Review)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhMt7kvgzRM&w=853&h=480]
Adam Rice (aka @adamrice1994 )
Writer (Melb)
1. Dealer - Soul Burn
2. Cursed Earth - The Deathbed Sessions
3. Windwaker - Empire
4. Alpha Wolf - Fault
5. Diamond Construct - Diamond Construct
6. Mirrors - Cold Sanctuary
7. Motionless In White - Disguise
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2019?
Heaps of exciting things are yet to happen in 2019. I am really keen to get my hands on new music from the likes of Thy Art Is Murder, Saviour, Ocean Sleeper, Northlane, Gravemind and Slipknot just to name a few. I'm also aware that Violent Soho have started recording their next release so hopefully we get to hear something from them before the end of the year.
Upcoming tours from the likes of Thy Art Is Murder, Born Of Osiris and Chelsea Grin, Cursed Earth, Architects, Sienna Skies, The Amity Affliction, August Burns Red and Northlane are all bound to be a good time! I always look forward to the announcements of the line ups to UNIFY, Download and Good Things Festivals as well, which should be coming up in the not too distant future.
Recent Contributions
The Gloom In The Corner - EP Review
Alpha Wolf - Interview
Motionless In White - Album Review
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0DmJ71jSvk&w=853&h=480]
Dylonov Tomasivich (aka @DRTomasivich)
Writer (Syd)
1. Батюшка - Панихида
2. Full of Hell - Weeping Choir
3. Foals - Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 1
4. Numenorean - Adore
5. Totally Unicorn - Sorry
6. La Dispute - Panorama
7. Ithaca - Language of Injury
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2019?
The impending ball of fire that will be the Earth in the next few years. I bet black metal is going to be fucking pissed climate change burned all the forests and melted the ice caps.
Recent Contributions
Dragged Into Sunlight - Interview
La Dispute - Album Review
Converge - Gig Review
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odUuR9BDhTU&w=853&h=480]
Gareth Williams (aka @notgareth)
Writer/Ranga (Perth)
1. Devin Townsend - Empath
2. Amon Amarth - Berserker
3. Rammstein - Rammstein
4. Death Angel - Humanicide
5. Possessed – Revelations of Oblivion
6. Cosmic Rayz – Beyond the Black Hole (an underground tribute to Gamma Ray)
7. Overkill – The Wings Of War
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2019?
Looking back over the years my “most looking forward to” features Devin Townsend quite regularly, this year is no exception. This time I’m looking forward to seeing the great man stripped back in his best intimate acoustic glory. In a year of great gigs, I just get the feeling this one will be hard to top
Recent Contributions
Rob Halford - Video Interview
Korpiklaani - Gig Review
Alien Weaponry - Video Interview
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n7uvokARQ4&w=853&h=480]
Trudy Johnson (aka Brutal Trudes Reviews)
Writer (Syd)
1. Death Angel - Humanicide
2. Overkill - The Wings of War
3. Texas Hippie Coalition - High in the Saddle
4. From Love to Violence - Moth (EP)
5. Rammstein - Rammstein
6. The Damned Things - High Crimes
7. At The Sun - Leave Before the Light
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2019?
So many things have me excited this year. Volbeat's Rewind, Rebound, Replay due 2nd August. Sydney thrashers Hazmat's new album. Keeping my fingers crossed for late this year. New album from Exodus, rumoured to be done late this year or early next year. It promises to be "very violent and very heavy", Bring that shit on! Vader's EP was pretty tasty, looking forward to a full length album from them asap. Philip H. Anselmo's side project En Minor, are releasing their 7 inch On the Floor, on August 2nd. I'm very curious to hear this. Slipknot's We Are Not Your Kind. Something new from Havok would be bloody great.
In closing, I'm looking forward to and hopeful for a full and speedy recovery for Dave Mustaine. #fuckyoucancer
Recent Contributions
Thrash Blast Grind Tour - Gig Review
Slayer - Gig Review
Overkill - Album Review
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVDEMDxNNrQ&w=853&h=480]
Emanuel Rudnicki (aka @emanuelrudnicki)
Photographer/Writer (Perth)
1. Advent Sorrow - Kali Yuga Crown
2. Deathspell Omega - The Furnaces of Palingenesia
3. Beast in Black - From Hell With Love
4. Misþyrming - Algleymi
5. Gaahls Wyrd - GastiR - Ghosts Invited
6. Avantasia - Moonglow
7. Evergrey - The Atlantic
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2019?
Blind Guardian - Legacy of the Dark Lands
Recent Contributions
Bolzer - Photo Gallery
Korpiklaani - Photo Gallery
Zeal & Ardor - Photo Gallery
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55fNC1g5FE8&w=853&h=480]
Carys Hurcom (aka CarysWoS)
Writer (Perth)
1. Rammstein – Rammstein
2. Zebrahead- Brain Invaders
3. Bad Religion – Age of Unreason
4. Millencolin – S.O.S
5. Set It Off – Midnight
6. Motionless In White – Disguise
7. Clowns – Nature/Nurture
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2019?
Much The Same, Good Riddance and Strung Out all have albums out in the next couple of months, which is pretty cool. Otherwise, I’m just waiting around until Ice Nine Kills finally get to Australia, and Rammstein make a return to our fair shores.
Recent Contributions
Rammstein - Album Review
Millencolin - Interview
Top 10 Rammstein Music Videos
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeQM1c-XCDc&w=853&h=480]
Simon Valentine (aka @SimonValentine1)
Writer (Central Coast)
1. Devin Townsend – Empath
2. Millencolin – SOS
3. Bad Religion – Age of Unreason
4. Rammstein – Rammstein
5. Zebrahead – Brain Invaders
6. Diamond Construct – Diamond Construct
7. The Decline – Verge Collection (EP)
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2019?
We’re getting a new Tool album (allegedly) so that will be a treat, along with some new Northlane. A new Less Than Jake album would make my year, but I haven’t heard any news about it yet. As for touring, I’m waiting for the Good Things Festival to get another run this year, but apart from that, I’m looking forward to getting out to see some more local live music. I can’t afford to go to Metallica/Slipknot, so I’m pretending that’s not happening. If MxPx made it down, however, that would be awesome.
Recent Contributions
Stick To Your Guns - Gig Review
Five Frothworthy NSW Punk Bands
Soilwork - Album Review
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdHJurX0yVA&w=853&h=480]
Bec O’Reilly (aka @bec.belles)
Writer/Photographer (Gold Coast)
(in no particular order)
From Crisis To Collapse – The Seventh Tree
Superheist - Sidewinder
The Brave - Aura
Hilltop Hoods – The Great Expanse
Collective Soul - Blood
Rammstein - Rammstein
Elba Lane - Destinations
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2019?
Hanging for new Tool and Slipknot! Excited to get back up on my feet again in time for Summer Festival Season 2019! Keen to check out some of our local home grown bands in our local venues on the Gold Coast. There is so much awesome new music out there – too much to list!
Recent Contributions
Keith Flint Tribute
Surfers Paradise LIVE - Review & Gallery
Best Night Ever - Gallery
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joNYRvNM1-4&w=853&h=480]
Ricky Aarons (aka @rickysaul90)
Writer (Melb)
(in no particular order)
The Saboteurs - Help Us Stranger
I Prevail - Trauma
Dealer - Soul Burn
Whitechapel - The Valley
Fever 333 - Strength in Numb333rs
Make Them Suffer - 'Hollowed Heart'
Northlane - 'Talking Heads'
My name’s Ricky, I work at a bank and I live for deathcore - interesting combination, right? I’ve been contributing to Wall of Sound since the early days, and what I’ve noticed is that we have such varied opinions, writers and photographers which means that our diversity leaves YOU to decide what’s good and what’s not so good. If you’re enjoying what you’re reading at WoS, make sure to keep liking our posts so we know what you like! The other thing I’d suggest is joining our Wall of Sound Community page, because after all, that’s what we are - a community.
Anyway, the boss asked me to put my top seven albums of the year so far into a list for you - it was a hard task. I haven't enjoyed a whole lot of full-length albums yet this year, so I’ve decided to throw in a few singles too, which may be a sign to come of how I’ll do this list in December. They're above!
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2019?
I’m anticipating a few monster albums to come out from bands like Thy Art is Murder and Slipknot, but I think the single thing I’m most looking forward to is the Metallica/Slipknot show, in particular looking at James Hetfield’s overnight ageing in-person. Bring all of ze metal. Keep headbanging team.
Recent Contributions
Born of Osiris & Chelsea Grin - Gig Review
Make Them Suffer - Gig Review
Deafheaven - Audio Interview
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDtIABGdc18&w=853&h=480]
Andrew Slaidins (aka @shot_by_slaidins)
Writer/Photographer (Tasmania)
1. Electric Mary – Mother
2. Bad Moon Born – The War Is One
3. Echo Del Tusker – Words To Live By
4. Ezekiel Ox - Cheering Bombs From Deckchairs
5. Backyard Babies – Silver and Gold
6. Catfish and The Bottlemen – The Balance
7. Rammstein - Rammstein
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2019?
Tours mainly, it’s going to be one hell of a year’s finish. Buckcherry/Hardcore Superstar, Backyard Babies, Metallica/Slipknot, KISS, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Electric Mary, The Struts, Greta Van Fleet
Recent Contributions
Candlemass - Gig Review & Photo Gallery
28 Days & Bodyjar - Gig Review & Photo Gallery
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Photo Gallery
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJcFCOZerVM&w=853&h=480]
Rory McDonald (aka Rory McDonald)
Writer (Perth)
Top 7 Albums//EPs/Singles
1. Hot Water Music – Shake Up the Shadows
2. Clowns – Nature/Nurture
3. Dinosaur Pileup – Celebrity Mansions
4. WAAX – 'FU'
5. Nankasi – 'Seablind'
6. These New South Whales – 'Nerve 2 Reverse'
7. Down For Tomorrow – 'Thanks to You'
Most Looking Forward to in the Second Half of 2019?
Keen to hear WAAX’s new album ‘Big Grief’ on August 23rd, and catching them live again in Perth. Not sure if I can expect material this year, but I’m chomping at the bit to hear what Violent Soho and Deftones have been up to in the studio.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=153aMp7dYXU&w=853&h=480]
