It has been another monumental year over at Wall Of Sound, tackling what has been my busiest year of in-person interviews, delving into sounds far out of my usual atmosphere, and even dabbling with some editorial duties of the site. 2025 has seen me become more ingrained in the WoS community as a whole, and I could not be prouder of what we are continuing to create!
This year has taught me the value of going to live shows and understanding the importance of supporting musicians through in-depth chats and features.
In 2026, get out there and be the backbone of your local music community- your ticket, CD purchase, or smiling face in the mosh could be someone’s lifeline!
TOP 10 RELEASES OF 2025
10. The Callous Daoboys - I Don’t Want To See You In Heaven
9. Playlunch - Sex Ed
8. Psycho-Frame - Salvation Laughs In The Face Of A Grieving Mother
7. 5 Seconds Of Summer - Everyone’s A Star
6. Katywentmissing - A Heartfelt Promise
5. La Dispute - No One Was Driving The Car
4. Grayscale - The Hart
3. Scowl - Are We All Angels
2. SPEED - All My Angels EP
1. Turnstile - Never Enough (Turnstile summer, baby)
TOP 10 SONGS OF 2025
10. Dayseeker - ‘Crawl Back To My Coffin’
9. 5 Seconds of Summer - ‘Evolve’
8. The Acacia Strain - ‘eucharist ii: BLOOD LOSS’
7. Grayscale - ‘Dance With Your Ghost’
6. Indigo Blaze - ‘Pump It’
5. La Dispute - ‘Landlord Calls The Sheriff In’
4. Hayley Williams - ‘Parachute’
3. iocaste - ‘ENVY’
2. SPEED - ‘PEACE’
1. Turnstile - ‘Light Design’
BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF 2025
Part of Turnstile’s full album length, Tribeca Film Festival-endorsed visual narrative, the segment for ‘Light Design’ is truly breath-taking. It hooked me when I saw it in theatres, and continues to compel me so much, I believe it is now the best song on the album!
TOP 3 GIGS OF THE YEAR
3. Ocean Grove @ The Oxford Arts Factory, SYD
I will forever proclaim that Ocean Grove is the best Australian live band, and this is one of those shows that truly solidified this sentiment. Back with the full lineup in one of the sweatiest venues in New South Wales, their set was wall-to-wall chaos, gluggy humidity, and a gratifying feeling of unity. Thank you to Ocean Grove for creating ‘RAINDROP’. The best live and the best recorded song ever made. Please continue to play it at every given opportunity, and perhaps come and play it in Georgia’s backyard. My life is a perpetual countdown for the next OG show!
2. Void of Vision @ The Forum, MELB
Earlier in the year, I hauled myself over to Melbourne to commemorate and celebrate the life of Void of Vision, a pivotal band to the diversification of sound within Australia’s metalcore scene. Stacked to the brim with special guests, the night was truly a reminder of the plethora of local talent we have, and it called me to reflect on just how truly special it is that we continue supplying some of the best sounds in the world. It was truly a bittersweet evening, seeing the crowd in tears as their final song rang out throughout the Forum. Long live Void Of Vision.
1. Neck Deep @ The Roundhouse NSW // SPEED @ Tattersall’s Penrith
Picking just one number one is impossible, so I simply am not. My number one gig of the year is tied between Neck Deep at the Roundhouse and SPEED in Penrith. Neck Deep is one of my long-enduring all-time favourite bands, and this tour saw them have a deeper connection to the Life’s Not Out To Get You album than ever before. With some deep cuts I have never seen live to the staples, I was at the barricade bawling my eyes out and creating a flood where they stood. This was a core memory for me. This gig finds itself alongside SPEED at Tatersalls! SPEED is another band I find myself inextricably tied to, and to see them at what is the closest venue to my home was nothing but remarkable. No stage, kicks to the jaw, and the big lights illuminating my way to the next mic grab, I wish SPEED would play there every month! This is what live music is all about- cherishing local venues and connecting with the community in the most sincere way possible.
FAV NEW BAND DISCOVERED IN 2025
2025 was truly the year for emerging Aussie talent, but none more so than Perth powerhouses, Indigo Blaze. Fusing together a nostalgic taste of the nu-metal agenda, mixed with a remarkably authentic homegrown flair, Indigo Blaze are quickly asserting themselves as Australia’s next pioneers of sound. Filled to the brim with infectious energy, all-consuming beats, and a loveable tongue-in-cheek flair, their 2025 EP UTB is absolutely intoxicating, and they are finally making their way along the East Coast in 2026. Get in early and get your ticket; you do not want to miss the rise of our next big thing!
NEXT BIG AUSSIE ACT TO WATCH IN 2026
The answer is none other than Western Sydney sweethearts, iocaste. The self-assuredness in their unique creative endeavours is something to behold in a very saturated metalcore scene, and from day one, made them stand out above the rest. These last few months have seen the band tie together their debut EP, RESIN. Upon it are 5 essential tracks for your playlist, filled with pure filth in the most beautiful of ways. Unexpected tonal shifts lie between guttural growls with sobering sentiments, and calls for the exorcist need to be made as the songs quickly convulse your head. This EP will be talked about, and I hypothesise that 2026 is the year this band will finally get their flowers. Already having taken over the live scene, iocaste will continue to dominate the stage- and they can bring me along as their number one cheerleader all tour. I will never stop singing iocaste’s praises. I am so proud of you!
FAVE ACHIEVEMENT AT WoS HQ
This year has been one stacked with absolute pinch-me moments! It would have to include my invitation to Sony HQ earlier in the year, getting treated like an absolute queen before being led into a room to interview the legend that is Johnny Franck of Bilmuri. He made for a lovely chat, and it was great to connect with another country-oriented metalhead.
Of course, I recently rounded up the year at Good Things Festival Brisbane with the Wall of Sound team! It is truly the most beautiful thing to have such a supportive work team (besides the snoring that kept me awake pre-interview day), who can have fun and be professional at the same time. Getting to see the biggest acts walk to our booth and see dear friends like Ricky get their dream interviews will always be the most memorable and heartwarming moments of my year. Getting to interview Vicki T from Cobra Starship was a powerful (even a slay) moment of womanhood in an Australian festival setting and is something I will cherish forever.
WHAT ARE YOUMOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2026?
In a twisted double-edged sword, my moment comes very early in the year. In January, I will be following multiple shows of Turnstile’s tour and truly cannot wait to celebrate the album that has been making me float beyond this realm for months now. It is also such an exciting opportunity to travel, get away, and connect with other scenes. If anyone would like to have me for any of their other shows, I would love to join you…
Despite this, there are still so many other acts I am eager to see next year, like Movements, Motionless In White, Electric Callboy, Ice Nine Kills and the band that started all of this, Good Charlotte. Next year is shaping up to be busy, and hopefully, that means many opportunities to interview and pick the brains of some of my favourite artists- a venture I can proudly say I am only getting better at!
In 2026, I would love to extend my reach in the music industry and would love to get hands-on experience with booking shows or artist management, so if anyone needs an intern who happens to have good music taste and an even better and useful degree, hit me up!
Written by Georgia Haskins @ghaskins2002
