press rewind, hit repeat: End of a year

a little later than I intented to but here are my top 10 releases and top 10 live gigs of 2009

records are in random order because they're all to close to each other to pick just one

Hopeless - Dear World

-This has been one of my favorite Australian releases of this year, really like how this turned out. Fan ,both music and lyricwise.

BLKOUT - Total Depravity

-About halfway through the year this record was definetly ranking number one. Haven't always been a fan of this style of hardcore, so I'm not gonna write anything down of I don't know what I'm talking about. Great artwork, great tunes, I moshed

Amenra - Afterlife EP

-Whole new angel from Amenra, an EP with 3 new accoustic songs (and those same 3 played backwards, not on the vinyl tho?). Next to their usual repertoire of heavy dark sludge, some of their best stuff to date.(Listening to this however won't totally get you down if you're already having a rough day like their usual stuff does to me)

Rise & Fall - Our Circle Is Vicious

-Howetown shredders, later more on this
not such a fan of the artwork.

Bon Iver - Blood Bank

-Probably the best thing I've encounterd since a long time, this band... hear it to understand it, big fan of Vernon's work

Volcano Choir - Unmap

-Impulsive buy on 12-31-09, I do this every year on the last day of the year, go out and buy a record. This time I found this with a sticker added "Featering Bon Iver's Justin Vernon". sneaked into my top 10 last last minute!

Dead Man's Bones - s/t

-Call me a wuss if you like, I watched The Notebook in 2009 and absolutely loved it, great book as well. The dude with the beard known as Noah Calhoun in the movie and in daily life Ryan Gosling has a band, this is it. If you're into Bon Iver, Nick Cave, then something something, this all mixed with a childrens choir, you're in for a treat!

Blacklisted - No One Deserve To Be Here More Than Me

-Without doubt one of the best hc albums of 2009, bands deciding to turn it all around and throw in something whole knew and do a good job are hard to find, in this case, look no further. Lyricwise, I don't think I know any better writer than George who can pull things off like this, touching to read and trying to comprehend all of it.

Mindset - Real Power 7"

-This band is gnarly. high fives
Going on tour soon with True Colors in the states!

ON - Control

-My foot starts tapping and my head starts shaking whenever I hear this band, rockin' out!

SHOWS

Have Heart - Cassiopeia Berlin

- Best show of my life, and that's pretty much all I can say

Trash Talk - Livingroom show Ghent

-Pure Fucking Evil

Bon Iver - Pukkelpop

-I got to know his band through Kimberly, Bon Iver was playing on pukkelpop so we went together, the shiver down my spine and the almost tear in my eye, probably best non hardcore gig

Betrayed - Pressurefest Essen

-This made the trip worth it, great hanging out again, thankful for this, after all talking to Aram got me to start thinking of going back to college. which I did in the end.

Amenra - Kortijk

-I think the picture says about enough

Bat For Lashes - Accienne Belgique Brussels

-SupriseSuprise, loved Jolien her face when I old her after a 2 month secrecy I was taking her to Bat For Lashes, awesome gig, catching up with some friends, Olivier has the best stories.

The Effort - Ieperfest

-These dudes are probably some of the nicest guys I got to know last year. They stayed over at my place in July, although I had heard of their band,I never took the time to check them out, until I heard them playing at Ieper, blew my mind, fierce band with strong morals and lovely people in it, best gig of Ieper.

Trash Talk - Ieperfest

-"We've got a surprise for you guys" they told us while we helped loading out. Trash Talk was about to setup on the floor instead of the stage, mayham all around, I punched some asshole in the face and I don't even regret it, this band turns people into evil creatures with supernatural powers. hard as nails

BLKOUT/Miles Away - Cassiopeia Berlin (+Ghent)

-The show in Ghent was probably the most insane night of 2009. I have no idea how to describe it, the show was a total dud, 20 attendees, of which 3 other Australians (wtf) and still it was a blast. what happened after the show was just pure madness, mix Australians, Swiss dudes with some (shitloads) alcohol and other drunk people who just finished their summer finals and you get to see some wild shit

They set the still standing record of amount of people sleeping in the house, which is around 20-23 people. we went out for bugers and fries for breakfast and I got to ride along to the next show, I had a great time and it was awesome getting to know some of these guys a little better