Wall of Sound Presents: “2020 YEAR IN REVIEW” – By Wall of Sound Merch Maiden Jerika Makela

In 2020, it wasn't uncommon to hear stories of people making decisions that were beneficial to their futures (health, career, sanity etc) and someone who made a leap of faith was our very own merch maiden Jerika Makela, who jumped into something she's been contemplating for years now, designing a range of Wall of Sound Merch for you all to wear with pride.
But it hasn't been smooth sailing, with some ups, downs and delays-a-plenty, she finally crossed off her goal of dropping a merch range and is already working on something else as we speak... During the year, Jerika also thrashed a few bands to help pass the time and her list is here for you to enjoy with her Year In Review...
TOP 10 RELEASES OF 2020?
10 - Trivium - What The Dead Men Say
9 - Bring Me The Horizon - Post Human - Survival Horror
8 - Polaris - The Death of Me
7 - Lamb Of God - Lamb Of God
6 - Violent Soho - Everything is A-Okay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VqQPBrhmaY
5 - Make Them Suffer - How To Survive A Funeral
4 - Puscifer - Existential Reckoning
3 - Deftones - Ohms
2 - Enter Shikari - Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible
1 - Code Orange - Underneath
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybBzQsMfFvs
TOP 10 SONGS OF 2020
#10 – Ocean Grove – ‘NEO’
#9 – Clutch – ‘Passive Restraints’
8 - Deftones – ‘Genesis’
7 - Polaris – ‘Landmine’
6 - Enter Shikari – ‘T.I.N.A’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2QZNZ6XmOg
5 - Polaris – ‘Black Fingernails, Red Wine’
4 - Make Them Suffer – ‘Bones’
3 - Puscifer – ‘Apocalyptical’
2 - Enter Shikari – ‘Waltzing off the Face of the Earth (I. Crescendo)’
1 - Code Orange – ‘Swallowing the Rabbit Whole’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctn14oYz0qA
BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF 2020?
Violent Soho - ‘Pick It Up Again’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZTQnjeA8ow
LAST GIG YOU CAUGHT BEFORE COVID
The only gig I got to this year was Tool's second show in Auckland. I will never forget how eerie the airport was when we left for home the next morning.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEEsDuJp8dB/
HOW DID COVID/LOCKDOWNS AFFECT YOU IN 2020?
Oh boy it’s been a time. I think like for many it put everything into perspective – what is truly important to me and what I actually want out of life. There’s been some tough decisions made which I think have just helped further solidify where I stand and where I want to go from here.
The lockdown also allowed me to spend a lot of time with my husband and work on my own creative project’s that I’m super passionate about. Not things that would’ve been possible to same extent pre lockdown.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCKFM0ThHXf/
BIGGEST THING YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF THIS YEAR?
To always trust my gut and that I’m fucking miserable when I’m not creating.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA43KxOJKP_/
FAV NEW BAND/MUSICIAN DISCOVERED IN 2020
So I know I’m reaaaally late on this one – but how bloody good is Childish Gambino!?!??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYOjWnS4cMY
NEXT BIG AUSSIE ACT TO WATCH IN 2021?
dave the band. Seriously, you don’t want to miss these guys.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKrzkmmLJnE
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2021?
I’m so ready to shoot live shows again! Oh and Browny, Tamara and I have been working on a little something something... it’s super exciting and I can’t wait to share it with y’all 😉
Words by Jerika Makela. Insta: @jerikamakela