During the last few years I've found myself making a new playlist in early January and then simply dropping in all new music I dig throughout the year, which makes it easy to find artists and songs for lists such as these. However, this doesn't make it any easier to choose, hence the 'in no particular order'. It has been an awesome year with plenty of sick releases. I've tried to make a wide spread here to fit as many different bands as possible. I wouldn't say that my musical palate is necessarily becoming more refined with age, but it is most definitely becoming more rounded and appreciative of different genres...within reason!!!
On a different note, I can't begin to count the bands I've shot or watched this year, but I've certainly had a ball getting elbowed, knee'd and head-butted in the pit whilst shielding my camera with my face. I've also managed to smash out my first album and gig reviews. That said, here's to 2017 - cheers!
TOP 5 ALBUMS OF 2017
(in no particular order)
Converge - The Dusk In Us
Lo! - Vestigial
JunkHead - Warmouth
All Pigs Must Die - Hostage Animal
Mastodon - Emperor of Sand
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcVWgR_Rp9E&w=640&h=360]
TOP 5 SONGS OF 2017
(in no particular order)
Aversions Crown - 'Erebus'
Dead Kelly - '3 Hands of Truth'
Body Count - 'No Lives Matter'
Quicksand - 'Cosmonauts'
Grave Pleasures - 'Falling For An Atom Bomb'
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIAhkO7RcEQ&w=640&h=360]
BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF 2017
Boris The Blade - 'Nihilist'
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jmy7k7Qu7Q&w=640&h=360]
BEST GIG YOU’VE SEEN 2017
Max & Iggor Cavalera playing Roots - 26th September @ Astor Theatre, Perth (Review & Gallery Here)
[gallery ids="https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Cavalera-ROOTS-22.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/seppo-poster.jpg|" type="rectangular"]
FAVOURITE MUSIC RELATED MOMENT IN 2017?
After 20+ years of photographing bands, I finally managed to write a gig review this year. It must have been a great one as the artist, Sebastian Bach, blocked WoS on Twitter & Instagram! Life goal...? The review was pretty positive, but I might have mentioned his fading looks and stamina. However, I didn't even mention how he ripped into Chester Bennington (and other artists), calling him weak for killing himself. I don't think I've ever seen an audience as stunned as that night.
BEST SHOW YOUR BAND HAS PLAYED THIS YEAR?
We supported The Dillinger Escape Plan on their farewell tour @ Capitol. It was bittersweet to see them play for the last time (in Perth) as this band has been such an inspiration to so many of us. The energy, musicianship and stage presence they bring is just simply insane. I might have been fanboyin' and shitting myself, but I think this was one of the best gigs we've ever had. (Photo Gallery Here) 📷: Emanuel Rudnicki
[gallery ids="https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/01-Forstora-001.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/dillinger.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/02-Dillinger-Escape-Plan-013.jpg|" type="rectangular"]
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2018?
Just more, More & MORE of all this awesome music that's being smashed out at the moment
By Den Rad - Förstöra frontman and kick arse Wall of Sound photographer.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuoCf0jMX5A&w=853&h=480]
