Get Beartooth vinyl — including an exclusive Revolver Summer Issue bundle featuring a limited-edition 7-inch single of "The Past Is Dead" and "Skin" (from 2021's Below) on purple wax — at Revolver's store.
2021 has been, without a doubt, 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, Beartooth guitarist Zach Huston shares his favorite shit: from post-metal with "tones as wide as a truck" to brutally profane video games and beyond.
Best Album: 'Migration' by Bossk
That album is a ride. Lots of textures. Tones are as wide as a truck.
Best Movie: The Matrix Resurrections
It does not come out until [December 22nd] ... but hopefully The Matrix Resurrections. It's all around us …
Best Video Game: Blasphemous
I put some hours into Blasphemous on my Switch this year. That game is brutal.
Best New Band: LLNN
A friend recommended LLNN and their latest record [2021's Unmaker] has been on heavy rotation lately. That band sounds like a wild animal.
Best Musical Moment
Definitely getting back in the groove and touring again. Missed rippin' with the boys.
What Are You Most Excited for in 2022?
Lots and lots of tour dates for Beartooth! Could not be more excited.
