As a Victorian, 2021 was another year going in and out of lockdowns. I gave up counting them. My average 60 gig a year gig life is still dead. Endlessly feeling lost in a blackhole. The silver (scream) lining, another killer year for music releases, and the resurrection of Short Stack. The Stack is back!
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2021
#10 Bullet For My Valentine – Bullet For My Valentine
#9 You Me At Six – Suckerpunch
#8 While She Sleeps – Sleeps Society
#7 The Plot In You – Swan Song
#6 Wage War – Manic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEhek9yusks
#5 Don Broco – Amazing Things
#4 Beartooth – Below
#3 Twenty One Pilots – Scaled and Icy
#2 Holding Absence – The Greatest Mistake of My Life
#1 Ice Nine Kills – Welcome to Horrorwood: The Silver Scream 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XP0Mu1dETo&t=298s
TOP 10 SONGS OF 2021
#10 In Hearts Wake (Feat. Lochie Keogh of Alpha Wolf) – 'Dogma'
#9 Short Stack – 'Burn You Down'
#8 Eskimo Callboy – 'Pump It'
#7 The Amity Affliction – 'Like Love'
#6 Raiders (UK) - 'Animal'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riIlDgrQlCM
#5 Northlane – 'Echo Chamber'
#4 Ocean Grove – 'Cali Sun'
#3 Lowist – 'Gasoline' (Halsey cover)
#2 We Came As Romans – 'Darkbloom'
#1 The Word Alive - 'Wonderland'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1MBdRFf0mI
BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF 2021
Don Broco - 'Endorphins'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJabdNMcyFs
FIRST GIG YOU’VE GOT LINED UP?
Knight and Day Festival at Kryal Castle, Ballarat on Dec 30 & 31 ... Excitement is heavily building to finally say good riddance to the horror show of the past 2 years. No better way, or anything more Australian, than to bring in a new year with Parkway Drive.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE APPROACHING NEW YEAR?
After a rather depressing 2 years without live music, approaching the new year is feeling like the opening to heavens gates (or hells gates, for my fellow horror tragics). I’m itching to get back into the gig life. To once again see my favourite local and, fingers crossed, international bands with my gig buddies is bringing life back into this live music loving soul.
NEXT BIG AUSSIE BAND TO WATCH IN 2022?
Windwaker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7gufh6sUC8
FAV NEW BAND YOU DISCOVERED IN 2021?
Taking guilty pleasure to another level, I stumbled upon the fact that actor Ben Barnes of Chronicles of Narnia/Shadow and Bones fame was set to release his debut EP titled ‘Songs For You’. The EP features 5 original piano-based tracks, and man, does he have an extraordinarily soulful voice. 20 years of having the dream to release his own songs, I for one am glad this EP is out in the world. It’s quite left of centre going by my standard music taste but I highly recommend this EP with standout track, 11:11.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91X1q8o6siA
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2022?
Live music, and travelling interstate for gigs. I’ve got roughly 30 gigs lined up for 2022 already, including seeing In Hearts Wake live for a milestone 30th time, that’s felt like the longest 3 year wait ever, and I’m sure there are many, many more incredible tours yet to be announced. Bring on 2022!
Written By Justine Baddeley @_just_bad
