The only way I can start this review is to mention the highlight of my year: 2023 was the year that the team at Wall of Sound allowed me to tell you all about some of my favourite bands in the scene. Upon my inclusion to the writers team, I wanted to ensure that artists that may not always be included in write-ups got mentioned. I am a huge believer in seeing new names in the scene, as well as ensuring that coverage is diverse and I’m so happy Wall of Sound allowed me to explore this passion of mine.On a more personal note, I spent 2023 focusing on the metalcore scenes of the Asia Pacific region, especially Japan. Currently, I am writing this intro in Tokyo, a few hours before I head off to see one of Australia’s favourite Japanese metalcore bands, Paledusk. So before I go, I am going to leave you with my favourite releases/moments in music in 2023 and possibly introduce you to some new names.
TOP 10 RELEASES OF 2023
10 - Terminal Sleep -Chapter 2: Elicit Fear9 - C-Gate -Fear8 - Dying Wish -Symptoms of Survival7 - SiM -Playdead6 - Deviloof -DAMNEDhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcs6O4H-Vl05 - KNOSIS- The Shattering4 - Polaris - Fatalism3 - The CardsI Play - Everything We Love2 - KNOSIS -The Eternal Doom1 - Pincer+ -Hunting God Tapes Volume 2: Romance.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqPIm37zwZw
TOP 10 SONGS OF 2023
10 - Vilify - ‘Take The Pill’9 - The Beautiful Monument - ‘Hellbound’8 - Captives (feat. Ryo Kinoshita) - ‘Shadow Cat’7 - Diamond Construct - ‘Jynx’6 - Pincer+ - ‘Closer to God’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-P8GIL-teU5 - Annalynn - ‘Disappear’4 - Polaris - ‘Inhumane’3 - The Cards I Play- ‘Fate’2 - Paledusk (feat. Masato from Coldrain) - ‘Rumble’1 - KNOSIS- ‘厄災 (Yakusai)’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJRHCQgfRc0
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS OF 2023
5 - The Cards I Play- ‘Black And Blue’’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNMS3n6mFuc4 - Future Static - ‘Roach Queen’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E98IOdcnB-Y3 - Polaris- ‘Inhumane’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ccRrs_NAJE2 - KNOSIS- ‘厄災 (Yakusai)’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJRHCQgfRc01 - Paledusk - ‘Rumble’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TChJ2n-3rz4
BEST GIG YOU CAUGHT THIS YEAR?
I feel like I may be publishing this a little prematurely as I have a few shows coming up still, but I will have to nominate three for different reasons:Best Overall Show: Dir en grey in Japan (Niigata November 17th 2023)Best Set: KNOSIS - Blood Axe FestivalBest Gig Saw in Australia: Hobart Unify: Off the RecordBut as I’m seeing Paledusk, KNOSIS, Crystal Lake and Dir en grey again before the end of the year, the first two may change!
MUSIC FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR?
Other than the Hobart leg of UNIFY: Off The Record, I did not attend any Australian music festivals BUT I caught Bloodaxe Festival in Japan’s Spring edition and that was insane. Sable Hills, KNOSIS, Counterparts, END - what a show!
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NEXT BIG AUSSIE ACT?
I have two bands that I am very sure will be blowing up sometime soon. The Gloom in the Corner is one of them. There is something special about this band and I’m glad to see them finishing off the year touring overseas. Another incredible band is the Naarm-based punk band Captives. Witnessing them play in Japan, I got to see the work they put in up close and it is really paying off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lBBUlIqQuE
FAVOURITE NEW BAND DISCOVERED IN 2023?
Technically KNOSIS should top this list, as the project came to light this year but I have been a fan of Ryo Kinoshita for a while now. For me, the best brand-new band I have discovered was the incredible ANNALYNN. I started listening to them at the start of the year and was incredibly stoked to see them when they came down under to open for Void of Vision.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2024?
Spending this year between the Japanese and Australian scenes, I can already see the overlap starting to really happen. With Paledusk and Crossfaith coming over for CVLTFEST, SiM’s tour being announced and murmurs of a few other acts looking to make their way here, it will be interesting to see what happens! Also, along with bands like Annalynn come here and bands like Alpha Wolf and Captives really putting in the work in Vietnam, Taiwan, China etc. I really am looking forward to seeing the collaboration between the Asia Pacific region and seeing us take on the world!Written by Kayla Hamilton @KaylaZomboidhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXKhza2IRxc
