Best of 2021: Venom Prison's Larissa Stupar Picks Favorite Music, Film, TV of Year | Page 2 | Revolver

Best of 2021: Venom Prison's Larissa Stupar Picks Favorite Music, Film, TV of Year

From Mortiferum's "no-bullshit" death metal to "catchy-as-hell" Angèle/Dua Lipa collab
venom prison larissa stupar solo 2021 PRESS CROP, Andy Ford
photograph by Andy Ford

Revolver has teamed with Venom Prison for an exclusive vinyl variant of their new album, Erebos, on "emerald green" wax. Only 500 are available — order yours before they're gone! 

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 — was 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, Venom Prison's Larissa Stupar shares her favorite shit: from Mortiferum's "no-bullshit" death metal to a catchy-as-hell Angèle and Dua Lipa collab.

Best Album: 'Preserved in Torment' by Mortiferum 

This album is exactly what I expected of Mortiferum: No bullshit, straight-up heavy riffs, with great songwriting. This band gives you pure death metal without pretending to be something they're not.

Best Song: "Fever" by Angèle and Dua Lipa

Catchy as hell, and I absolutely adore Angèle and her music.

Best TV Shows: Squid Game, Mare of Easttown, Maid

Squid Game: no explanation needed. South Korea has a lot of talent and since Parasite the west is starting to recognize it. About damn time. Mare of Easttown: great story, great acting and full of surprises. Maid: very realistic and emotional.

Best Music Documentary: Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry

I love a great music documentary and this one definitely hits the spot.

Best Book: Tomie

Nothing that came out this year, but I read [2016's] Tomie by Junji Ito and it was fantastic, just like any of his books. Other than that, I've been reading a lot of parenting books, that would be too boring for most people. 

Best Musical Moment

Playing Bloodstock festival will have to be the one. Our first show in almost two years and it was the best possible outcome we could have hoped for. It was great!

What Are You Most Excited for in 2022?

Our new album Erebos comes out on February 4th, 2022, and we're all really excited about it. We have some cool shows and festivals planned and maybe a few special new things.