Maybe I’m still coming down from Unify The Gathering or slowly getting amped for Soundwave, or it may be more likely the Dutch optimism that came with my 2nd six pack of Melbourne Tinnies, but it feels like the Hottest 100 actually got kinda heavy for a bit there.
Now, let’s not go poppin champagne just yet, It doesn’t look like we’re going to hear anything from Against Me’s brilliant Transgender Dysmorphia Blues or The Ghost Inside’s excellent Dear Youth and I’ve already given up on hearing anything from the fine return to form via Slipknot’s The Grey Chapter, and a sad part of me knew we wouldn’t be getting any entrants from In Hearts Wake’s fucking masterful Earthwalker. Honestly, if nothing could chart from Northlane’s really fucking epic Singularity in 2013 then Aus based music stood little chance.
HOWEVER, now that quick gripe is past, let’s look at some really fucking excellent heavy-ish music that made the list; and why it definitely deserved to do better but we’ll take what we’ve got thank you very much.
#88. DZ Deathrays – Gina Works At Hearts
This was one of the best hard rock singles (guys, where the fuck is Royal Blood?) in a year when the combined force of Dave Grohl and Nickelback further attempted to dilute rock music. This record stood up as the resounding finger in the face of a LOT of mediocre guitar music that thankfully didn’t make the chart. Well, almost.
#84. Foo Fighters – Something From Nothing
Joke LOL. Whoever voted for this, high five your face with a ceramic plate. Look Dave, you took the opening section of The Pretender, matched it with the guitar line from QOTSA’s Everybody Knows You’re Insane and then just straight up nicked DIO’s Holy Diver.
No video. Only the below picture as a reminder this guy is with the rock gods above and THEY FUCKING KNOW WHAT YOU DID.
#80. Rise Against – I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore
Look, it’s not Prayer Of The Refugee but I’ve come to terms with the fact the mid 2000’s are over and I’m never going to see that Thrice, Thursday and Rise Against tour I’ve dreamt of since puberty. However, I couldn’t be happier that Rise Against are still kicking and making relevant rock music (cc’d D.Grohl@fuckfighters.com) after 15 odd years.
Oh lord I miss Thursday.
We’re going to listen to Thursday in remembrance for those who have fallen this year. Also to those who deserved to fall. Fuck this guy and DEFINITELY this guy.
#79. Jack White – Lazaretto
Ok, so this one just slips in here, as we are talking heavy-ish guitar music. But to be exceptionally frank, this wasn’t Jack’s best song on the record. It’s the one where he doesn’t use his mouth cause his mouth only does crazy talk these days the instrumental, Highball Stepper, which kinda just proves that Jack may be an insane person, but, by fuck can he play guitar.
#71. The Amity Affliction – The Weigh Down
I’ll actually rant a little more on TAA down the line. However I totally appreciate this vid and the chuckles this band’s mgmt. must have had reading the video treatment, especially the part that read “set band on fire”
#69. The Smith Street Band – Surrender
One day I will tell my future children about that time I saw Will Wagner play solo in an off Brunswick street bar in front of 12 people and I bought him a beer and then they will lose their shit in like I did when my dad said he high fived Bon Scott once. But serious talk, this is a punk band, an Australian punk band with political backbone and praise for this band is SO FUCKING OVERDUE. Interestingly this is their Hottest 100 debut, which is only interesting because they also wrote this song, this song oh and also this fucking masterpiece and only just made the Hot 100? Shame on you ‘straya.
#68. Bring Me The Horizon – Drown
Like it or not, BMTH are the consistent herald of the ever evolving heavy music landscape. Whilst Olly & Co aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, it can’t be denied that they are the reigning forbearers for the next round of heavy albums and tracks to come. Don’t believe me? Well, check it out for yourself.
#64. The Amity Affliction – Don’t Lean On Me
Man! More Amity and it’s not even their last appearance? Hell fuck yeah.
#22. Amity Affliction – Pittsburgh
I think this deserves a throwback to Unify The Gathering, or potentially further back to the Australian tour of TAA, Architects, Stray From The Path, Issues and Hand Of Mercy. A run of sold out shows which saw anywhere between 3 and 5 thousand kids collectively lose their shit (fast forward to 4:26 to see aforementioned shit being collectively lost) in the wake of the staggering success of Let The Ocean Take Me. You combine that with an ARIA #1 and a platinum selling record and damn, just fucking chill TAA. Take a breather yeah?
-Matty W
