2024… The Year So Far – We Name Our Top 7 Releases
We're at the halfway point of 2024 and already the sheer quality of heavy and alternative music is proving the scene (especially in Australia) is flourishing with each and every release. With a vast array of genres, at times it's hard to keep up, but the WoS Team stretch far and wide and has our fingers in many sub-genre pies in order to cover as much ground as possible.
So which bands have left a mark worthy enough of a spot in our Top 7 Releases So Far and what's on the horizon we're all hungrily anticipating? Read on as we check out The Year So Far with our Mid-Year Review!
Paul ‘Browny’ Brown (@brownypaul)CEO/Boss Man/Daddy Metalcore (Bris)
Top 7 Releases So Far
1. Sum 41 - Heaven :x: Hell2. The Plot In You - Vol 2. EP3. Reliqa - Secrets of the Future4. Bring Me The Horizon - POST HUMAN: NeX GEn5. The Ghost Inside - Searching For Solace6. Wage War - STIGMA7. Alpha Wolf - Half Living ThingsFav song on repeat at the moment?Currently swapping between The Plot In You 'All That I Can Give' and Falling In Reverse feat. Jelly Roll 'All My Life'.
Most looking forward to in the second half of 2024?
New Music: Amy Shark and Void of Vision's new albums + blink-182's ONE MORE TIME (Deluxe) is on the way! The Plot in You has me in a chokehold so I really want a full-length to hurt me harder. Many Eyes, Starve and thrown's debut albums should be great listens, as well as To The Grave and Windwaker's sophomore releases. A HUGE year for new music and it just keeps coming...
Gig wise: Parkway's 20th Anniversary with I Prevail, TGI and Void of Vision will be historical. thrown live in Australia for the first time with Alpha Wolf and TDWP should get me back in the mosh, as will having Ice Nine Kills back down under in November 👀 Also, finally seeing a full Falling in Reverse set should top the year off just right. Good Things Festival's lineup drops in the coming weeks and I'm keeping track of all the bands who could be on the list and the ones that are officially ruled out - suss the Rolling Coverage below for more!
Films: Deadpool & Wolverine, Alien: Romulus, Trap, Terrifier 3, Smile 2 and for Sony to drop the ball (as usual) with Kraven the Hunter.
Recent contributions
Good Things Festival - Rolling CoverageMetallica x Fortnite - FeatureSum 41 - Heaven :x: Hell - Album Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB9jFPUb7HARicky Aarons (@rickysaul90)Co-Editor/Deathcore Connoisseur (Melb)Top 7 Releases So Far1. Knocked Loose - You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To2. Boundaries - Death is Little More3. Darko (US) - Starfire4. Like Moths to Flames - The Cycles of Trying to Cope5. Synestia & Disembodied Tyrant - The Poetic Edda6. Ameonna - Goddess Wept7. Ameonna - Goddess ReignFav song on repeat at the moment?Void of Vision - 'GammaKnife'Most looking forward to in the second half of 2024?The influx of live shows ahead, seeing some bands for the very first time like Paleface Swiss, thrown, Boundaries, Vulvodynia...Recent contributionsRobert Trujillo - InterviewDarko US - Starfire - Album Reviewten56 - CVLTFEST Interviewhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EewQ1dKqudIAdam Rice (@riceyadam)Writer/Mosher/Deathcore Frother (Melb)Top 7 Releases So Far1. Ameonna - Goddess Wept2. Boundaries - Death Is Little More3. Darko (US) - Starfire4. Knocked Loose - You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To5. Ameonna - Goddess Reign6. Windwaker - 'Get Out'7. Vilify - Fever Dream EPFav song on repeat at the moment?Heavensgate - 'RatKing'Most looking forward to in the second half of 2024?New releases from thrown, Left To Suffer, In Hearts Wake, Gravemind and more are bound to momentarily satisfy my ongoing apetite for new music. The return of Invent Animate to Australian shores excites me so much that it keeps me up at night. Metalcore powerhouses Parkway Drive and The Amity Affliction have stadium tours lined and you can catch my aging ass viewing these shows from the seated sections.The hype surrounding the 2024 edition of Good Things Festival has already begun so as you could imagine, I'm already dreaming of festival season kicking off when summer rolls around.Recent contributionsWage War - Album ReviewIntroducing: Seven Hours After VioletAlex Koehler - Ameonna Interviewhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VboyNUfXQ0Georgia Haskins (@ghaskins2002)Writer/Interviewer/Pocket Rocket Pit Fiend (Syd)Top 7 Songs So Far1. ‘Kool-Aid’ by Bring Me The Horizon2. ‘Take Me Home’ by Knocked Loose3. ‘Sucks 2 Suck’ by Alpha Wolf and ICE-T4. ‘Lubricant Like Kerosene’ by SeeYouSpaceCowboy5. ‘THE FIRST TEST’ by SPEED6. ‘Next Semester’ by Twenty One Pilots7. ‘Neon’ by Diamond Construct Fav song on repeat at the moment?‘Orphan (The Devil)' by In Hearts WakeMost looking forward to in the second half of 2024?As a simple answer; witnessing the blossoming career of Windwaker.Just days ago, I sat down for a long and in-depth chat with the band about their upcoming album, tour, and the dynamic of the band at this point in time. Truly, they have never looked stronger. With the release of their sophomore album, Hyperviolence, just weeks away, Windwaker is doing something truly unique. From playing with sounds that don't frequently go together, to reshaping the album cycle and process as a whole, they are carrying themselves in a whole other league. Hopefully, all this hard work will soon hit Sydney shores and I can truly relish in the excellence of their craft.For now, I’ll be waiting on the sidelines with a foam finger!Recent contributionsMovements - InterviewThe Story So Far - Album ReviewSPEED - New Music Editorialhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkmzJWSi0u8KJ Draven (@kjdraven)Writer/Metalhead/Eurovision Tragic (Melb)1. Bring Me the Horizon - POST HUMAN: NeX GEn2. Knocked Loose - You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To 3. Alpha Wolf - Half Living Things 4. Bruce Dickinson - The Mandrake Project 5. Judas Priest - Invincible Shield 6. Caligula’s Horse - Charcoal Grace 7. Reliqa - Secrets of the FutureFav song on repeat at the moment?'Miasma' - Northlane ft Winston McCallMost looking forward to in the second half of 2024?Iron Maiden finally return! The possibility of more new music from BetterLovers and please can CodeOrange get down here.Recent contributionsEurovision 2024 - Wrap UpTesseracT - Gig ReviewBMTH - Eras Tour Feature Articlehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWRJtvlSfNQTyler Lubke (@huntsman421)Writer/Enthusiastic Gig Enthusiast (Wagga Wagga)Top 7 Releases So Far1. Bring Me The Horizon - POST HUMAN: NeX GEn2. Diamond Construct - Angel Killer Zero3. Make Them Suffer - 'Epitaph'4. Gravemind - 'Terminal'5. Knocked Loose - You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To6. Windwaker - 'Break The Rules'7. Alpha Wolf - Half Living ThingsFav song on repeat at the moment?Bring Me The Horizon - 'n/A'Most looking forward to in the second half of 2024?Got a couple of awesome albums on the way, such as Windwaker's and Gravemind's sophomore albums Hyperviolence and Introsphere. One of my favorite bands Paleface Swiss is joining the In Hearts Wake run, and that MakeThemSuffer tour looks insane!Recent contributionsWindwaker - Gig Review & GalleryBMTH - Album ReviewDiamond Construct - Gig Review & Galleryhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGHlZglJKuEKaylaHamilton (@kaylazomboid)Writer/Interviewer/J-Metal Sensory Scientist (Adel)Top 7 Releases So Far1. ANNALYNN - Failure Will Find Me2. Crossfaith - ARK3. Bloom - Maybe In Another Life4. Sad Melody - 'District 105 feat. PK (PROMPTS)'5. Indication - Ataraxia of The Phoenix6. Alpha Wolf - Half Living Things7. Knocked Loose - You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed ToFav song on repeat at the moment?There are two tracks I am flicking between at the moment. For the feels: ‘Bathed In Sin’ by Annalynn. For the party vibes: ‘God Speed’ by Crossfaith (feat. Wargasm).Most looking forward to in the second half of 2024?I am very much looking forward to SableHills dropping their album Odyssey. I also have on good authority that KNOSIS will be dropping new music throughout the second half of the year so I am VERY much looking forward to that.Recent contributionsBLOOM - InterviewCrossfaith - Gig ReviewKIN - New Music Editorialhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHYs4dO0E-0Andrew Kapper (@andrew_kapper)Writer/Guitar Geek/Br00tal Metal Fan (Bris)1. Gatecreeper - Dark Superstition2. Vitriol - Suffer & Become3. Resin Tomb - Cerebral Purgatory4. Job For A Cowboy - Moon Healer5. 200 Stab Wounds - Manual Manic Procedures6. Tzompantli - Beating The Drums of Ancestral Force7. Spectral Voice - SparagmosFav song on repeat at the moment?The Black Dahlia Murder - ‘Aftermath’Most looking forward to in the second half of 2024?New albums from The Black Dahlia Murder, Nile and Nails, and whatever great fresh music 2024 has in store for us!Recent Contributions
The Weigh-Up: EVH SA-126 - Gear ReviewJob For a Cowboy - Album ReviewDarkthrone - Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCFivg0a_coKatie Torrance (@idpreferyoudead)Film Reviewer/Horror-Fanatic (Perth)Top 7 Movies So Far1. Boy Kills World2. Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person3. Immaculate 4. Late Night With The Devil 5. Tarot6. The Idea Of You7. Clickbait: UnfollowedFav song on repeat at the moment?Wallows – 'Calling After Me'Most looking forward to in the second half of 2024?Not too much this year has my interest. I am so worn out by unnecessary remakes and sequels nobody asked for over the past 30 years, but I am pretty keen to see how gross Terrifier 3 is going to be this October.Recent Contributions Stephen Tramontana - Indie Horror Director InterviewToys of Terror - Feature Article Imaginary - Film Reviewhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3l2KFTj7yYWill Oakeshott (@teenwolfwill)Writer/Interviewer/Willidiot (Adel)1. Hot Water Music – VOWS2. Chelsea Wolfe – She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She3. Darkestrah – Nomad4. Alcest - Les Chants de l'Aurore5. IDLES – Tangk6. Eivør – ENN7. Dustin Kensrue - Desert DreamingFav song on repeat at the moment?Totally Unicorn ‘Parrot’, Eihwar ‘Völva’s Chant’, Zeal and Ardor ‘to my ilk’, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds ‘Wild God’, Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster ‘Thrush’, SwordfishTrombone ‘E(nd)TERNAL’ (sneaky self-plug), Better Lovers ‘The Flowering’, The Black Dahlia Murder ‘Aftermath’, Lakeview feat. Gideon ‘Money Where Your Mouth Is’ and Four Year Strong ‘aftermath/afterthought’Most looking forward to in the second half of 2024?New Albums/Music from Four Year Strong, Better Lovers (PLEASE!), The Black Dahlia Murder, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Zeal & Ardor, Eihwar, GAEREA, House Of Protection, Totally Unicorn, Greg Puciato (The Black Queen possibly?), Wardruna, Vestige, Deftones (hopefully), Life Pilot, Converge (this is OVERDUE) – this is already too much and I am sure I have missed a lot.The following shows: Heilung, Froth & Fury Fest, Triumph Of Death, Cradle Of Filth, Trophy Eyes, HEALTH, Bleeding Through, Parkway Drive, Good Things Festival (or more-so for this South Australian, the possible sideshows) and then SwordfishTrombone releasing more music and playing more shows!Recent contributionsJason Black - Hot Water Music InterviewEihwar - New Music EditorialBotch - Gig Reviewhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htFXPrtAXo4Gareth Williams (@notgareth)Senior Writer/Ranga (Perth)Top 7 Releases So Far1. Bruce Dickinson – The Mandrake Project2. Judas Priest – Invincible Shield3. Caligula’s Horse – Charcoal Grace4. Sleepmakeswaves – It’s Here, But I Have No Names For It5. Saxon – Hell, Fire and Damnation6. Amaranthe – The Catalyst7. Kerry King – From Hell I RiseFav song on repeat at the moment?Bruce Dickinson - 'Rain on the Graves'. Not only does it have a killer Hammer Horror inspired music video, its an absolute belter of a tune. A lucky few have heard me rolling with the windows down singing along at full voice.Most looking forward to in the second half of 2024?This year like so many others for me is all about NWOBHM, with the legendary Iron Maiden once again gracing our shores. The tour kicks off in Perth and with the band spending 2 weeks rehearsing in the west you better believe Wall of Sound will be there to cover it all.Recent contributionsBruce Dickinson - InterviewIan Hill (Judas Priest) - InterviewPaul Di'Anno - Gig Reviewhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE4xNUB2Q5ENicholas Simonsen (@blackechomusic)Writer/Interviewer/Post-hardcore Crooner (Melb)Top 7 Releases So Far1. The Hope Conspiracy - Tools Of Oppression/Rule By Deception2. Greyhaven - Stereo Grief 1. 3. Hot Water Music - Vows4. Job For A Cowboy - Moon Healer5. Knocked Loose - You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To6. Ulcerate - Cutting The Throat Of God7. Claemus - MercurialFav song on repeat at the moment?Vower - 'Shroud'Most looking forward to in the second half of 2024?Seeing MiserySignals one more time before they call it a dayRecent contributionsThe Weigh Up: Tom DeLonge Starcaster (Gear Review)Matt Flood - Caskets InterviewThe Weigh-Up: Jackson American Series Soloist SL2MG HT (Gear Review)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUyv5IpYwZ0Alex Burgess (@alexburgessmusic)Fresh Meat Writer/Extreme Underground Metal Fan (Melb)Top 7 Releases So Far1. Thou – Umbilical2. Ulcerate – Cutting the Throat of God3. Gatecreeper – Dark Superstition4. Rotting Christ – Pro Xristou5. Necrophobic – In the Twilight Grey6. Necrot – Lifeless Birth7. Charley Crockett – $10 CowboyFav song on repeat at the moment?‘Blank’ by EYEHATEGODMost looking forward to in the second half of 2024?Album releases from Nick Cave & The Bad SeedsWild God and WintersunTime IIRecent contributionsIntroducing: BlightExtortionist - Devoid of Love Album ReviewInfant Island - Album Reviewhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqSKTUJvFIERod Whitfield (@rod_whitfield)Writer/Progressive Deathcore Tinkerer (Melb)Top 7 Releases So Far1. Caligula’s Horse – Charcoal Grace2. Reliqa – Secrets of the Future3. Darko (US) - Starfire4. Disembodied Tyrant & Synestia – The Poetic Edda5. Alpha Wolf – Half Living Things 6. sleepmakeswaves – It’s Here, But I Have No Names For It7. Diamond Construct – Angel Killer ZeroFav song on repeat at the moment?Reliqa – 'Keep Yourself Awake'Most looking forward to in the second half of 2024?Devin Townsend’s new band Powernerd.Recent contributionsCaligula's Horse - InterviewReliqa - Album ReviewMammal - Album Reviewhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsxjjp2djYoGloria Brancatisano (@gloriabrancat)Fresh Meat Writer/Alternative Angel (Melb)Top 7 Releases So Far1. Bring Me The Horizon - POST HUMAN: NeX GEn2. Bloom - Maybe In Another Life3. The Ghost Inside - Searching For Solace4. Casey - How To Disappear5. The Mysterines - Afraid Of Tomorrows6. Neck Deep – Neck Deep7. Between You And Me - Sh!t Yeah EPFav song on repeat at the moment?Spotify says the only 2024 tracks I’ve had on repeat lately (besides ChappellRoan) are 'All This Time' by The Story So Far and 'It Won’t Be Like This Forever' by NeckDeepMost looking forward to in the second half of 2024?For everyone to hear how good the next chapter of Slowly Slowly music is and for Good Things to finally drop their lineup!Recent contributionsBukowski - New Music EditorialAlienist - EP ReviewI Prevail & Halestorm - New Music Editorialhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7BDOb2fHXASimon Valentine (@SimonValentineAU)Writer/Punk/Gamer (Central Coast)Top 7 Releases So Far1. BABYMETAL X Electric Callboy - 'RATATATA'2. Hanabie. - 'Girl's Talk'3. Pearl Jam - Dark Matter4. Flaming Wrekage – Witch Hunt5. Jebediah - 'Motivation'6. Grinspoon - 'Unknown Pretenders'7. Less Than Jake – 'Broken Words'Fav song on repeat at the moment?BABYMETAL x ElectricCallboy – 'RATATATA'Most looking forward to in the second half of 2024?A few favourites coming down later for a tour later in the year, particularly Hanabie. and Less Than Jake, but also looking forward to seeing what Good Things unveil. A few decent releases in the gaming world coming up as well, including a new Legend Of Zelda game.Recent ContributionsFake News - Ep ReviewHanabie - New Music EditorialGood Things Festival Reviewhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDnIEWyVIlEBec O'Reilly (@bec.belles)Photographer/Writer/Hippie (Gold Coast)Top 7 Releases So FarViperSnatch – WitchCraft, Baby Highly Suspect – The Blue Eyed Devil Wildheart – Death is All That’s Left Huntsman – Big Smoke Party Dozen – The Big Man Upstairs The Last Martyr - Antidote Pearl Jam – Dark MatterFav song on repeat at the moment?Gudgeon – 'Despair' and 7ft Sooks – 'Roundabout'Most looking forward to in the second half of 2024?Pearl Jam touring in November! Twice now over the years I’ve had tickets and couldn’t go – here is hoping third time Lucky! It's recording time for a lot of bands! New albums from a few of the bands I work with. Gudgeon, Skirmisher and UsedGoods about to hit the studio to make some new music. HighlySuspect are about to drop their new album As Above, So Below on July 19 so hopefully that means another Australian tour! I've got a couple of music videos in the making, an interview or two, a few gig trips to check out the local scene and some of the incredibly talented local bands tucked away in regional areas like Rocky, Bundy and Newcastle. (who doesn’t love a road trip!).Gold Coast Music Awards in August is always a second half of the year highlight for me - fancy dress, red carpet, top music and a great crowd of people. Big Pineapple Festival returns in October this year – super excited to see what lineup they drop – its always a top day!Recent ContributionsWildheart - Gig Review & GalleryHighly Suspect - Gig Review & GalleryHighly Suspect - Interviewhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY8lz5e_yZkEd Atlas (@yourfavouritemerchguy)Fresh Meat Writer/Interviewer/Merch Slinger (Bris)Top 7 Releases So Far1. Northlane - Mirrors Edge EP2. Bring Me The Horizon - POST HUMAN: NeX GEn3. Falling In Reverse - 'Ronald'4. Any Given Day - Limitless5. While She Sleeps - SELF HELL6. Knocked Loose - You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To7. Imminence - The BlackFav song on repeat at the moment?'Inhumane' by Polaris Most looking forward to in the second half of 2024? Parkway Drive Australia Tour 2024Recent ContributionsRick Schneider - Polaris InterviewNorthlane - Mirror's Edge EP ReviewA Day To Remember - 'Feedback' New Music Editorialhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ccRrs_NAJEDen Rad (@denocide)Photographer/Screamer (Perth)1. Ulcerate – Cutting The Throat of God2. Knocked Loose - You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To3. Vitriol – Suffer and Become4. The Hope Conspiracy – Tools of Oppression/Rule By Deception5. Umbra Vitae – Light of Death6. CANDY – It’s Inside You7. Benighted - EkbomFav song on repeat at the moment?Totally Unicorn 'Parrot', COILGUNS 'We Missed The Parade', Vitriol 'Shame and its Afterbirth', SOFT PLAY 'Everything and Nothing', Punkband 'PERFECT COUNTRY', Many Eyes 'Future Proof', Boundaries 'A Pale Light Lingers' and Enterprise Earth 'King of Ruination'Most looking forward to in the second half of 2024?New music from The Black Dahlia Murder, Nile, Allt, Iniquitous Monolith and Karnivoolhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk4MoWFp2dc
