We teamed with Angel Du$t for an exclusive vinyl variant of their new album, YAK: A Collection of Truck Songs, which sold out immediately. Head over to Revolver's store to see our other Angel Du$t offerings and browse the full selection of our limited-edition vinyl.
2021 has, without a doubt, been one of the most memorable years in modern music history. The invisible elephant in the room was obviously COVID-19, which triggered the unprecedented year-plus blackout on nearly all live shows. Thankfully this spring's widespread vaccination rollout proved effective enough for the restrictions to lift, and by summer bands were finally able to hit stages throughout the country.
While we're not quite in "post-COVID" times just yet, the sheer joy of experiencing the cranked sounds and singular live energy of gatherings big and small — from sweaty Turnstile club gigs and raucous Slipknot road shows to massive Metallica-led festivals — has been beyond rejuvenating.
Plus, there's also been a bunch of killer albums released this year to keep us entertained in between mosh pits. Old-school heavies Iron Maiden, Carcass and At the Gates brought the heat, scene leaders Mastodon and Gojira upped the ante, Converge and Chelsea Wolfe dropped a bomb collab and a clutch of up-and-coming trailblazers — Spiritbox, Jinjer, Turnstile, Scowl, Portrayal of Guilt and more — pushed heavy music into exciting new territories. (See Revolver's 25 favorite albums of 2021 here.)
As we close the books on 2021, we're catching up with some of our favorite artists to get their picks for the best of the best of the past year. Below, singer Justice Tripp — who fronts Trapped Under Ice and Angel Du$t — shares his favorite shit: from Turnstile's genre-redefining masterwork to the punk gig under an L.A. freeway that made him "question his safety."
Best Album: 'Glow On' by Turnstile
Glow On by Turnstile will show to be a timeless genre-bending and -redefining album that at least the next few generations will use as a reference point for heavy music.
Best Song: "The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows" by Daman Albarn
Damon Albarn's "The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows" is just a great song with pretty simple production. Not a lot of bells and whistles. Dude just lets you know what he's feeling on the track.
Best Movie: True Romance
My favorite movie is True Romance [1993]. All the coolest actors in a twisted but romantic film. Favorite quote is: "It ain't white boy day."
Best New Band: Niis
I was aware of Niis a little bit earlier, but I've definitely fallen in love with them as they've dropped more singles this year.
Best Musical Moment
Dead City, Alpha and Omega, and Section H8 under the freeway in L.A. There's video of it kicking around the internet everywhere. Questioned my safety the whole time and loved it.
What Are You Most Excited for in 2022?
Going to be touring on YAK quite a bit but also, I'm moving to Baltimore and have pretty cool plans that involve making a lot of music. Can't wait for you to hear it.
