Wall of Sound presents: “2020 YEAR IN REVIEW” – by Wall of Sound Reader/Pest Ali J. Bean

The Wall of Sound Community is like one big family... and every family has a black sheep that may have good taste in music, but some shit views on other bands they don't like. That black sheep is RADelaide's loyal reader/pest Ali J. Bean.

He's kinda like that Uncle who likes the sound of his own voice at family gatherings. Every family has one and I guess he's ours. Anyway suss out what he was frothing this year and if you disagree, don't be afraid to let him know!

TOP 15 RELEASES OF 2020?

1. Motives - Death Throes
2. Vanguard - Rage of Deliverance
3. Fire In The Radio - Monuments
4. Hatebreed - Weight of the False Self
5. Enter Shikari - Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtOW9xkO7Cs

1. Rotting Out - Ronin
2. Field Day - Opposite Land/2.0
3. Change - Closer Still
4. End - Splinters From An Ever Changing Face
5. Be Well - The Weight and the Cost

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NG2Y7wyvyg

1. Gupi - None
2. Giver - Sculpture Of Violence
3. Higher Power - 27 Miles Underwater14. We Struck Gold - To Conquer A Fear // All Life Is Divine
4. Great American Ghost - Power Through Terror

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I-5OqeTZAw

BEST MUSIC VIDEOS OF 2020?

Halsey - 'You Should Be Sad' and MGK feat. Halsey - 'Forget Me Too'
Basically what I'm trying to say is I think Halsey is a babe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nBFqZppIF0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tn6nWYNK3Q

LAST GIG YOU SAW BEFORE COVID

There may have been others after this and before COVID but I hit up the three Seraphs Coal reunion shows in January.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHPXvV9htXk/

BIGGEST THING YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF IN 2020

I'm still pro as fuck at THPS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-eYJRR5lyE

NEXT BIG AUSSIE BAND TO WATCH IN 2021?

Bloom's record was super solid. Just missed out on my top records for the year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f84A-rEyKmY

FAV NEW BAND YOU DISCOVERED IN 2020?

They didn't release anything this year but I stumbled across a band called Wilderness Dream fronted by Ben Murray (Heartsounds, Light This City). They describe themselves as blackened thrash metal but they just sound like a hardcore band to me. Their song 'Firebreather' is a banger.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5fA_x68wZw

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2021?

I'm really looking forward to rescheduled shows. Hatebreed being a big one, as I desperately need to do some spin kicks. Also the Seraphs Coal, STR, Thinktank, Antiskeptic show, whenever that gets rescheduled.

And, of course, more arguments on Wall of Sound posts.

Thanks for having me again.

Words by Ali J. Bean Insta: @ohalistair

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLJrg_IteSo