Top Albums of 2016

2016 was a crap year for celebrity deaths and politics.  It was a weird year for rock, but overall I think a pretty good one.  My album purchases included a lot of new releases as well as building up my catalogue of classic artists such as Meat Loaf and Jimmy Hendrix.  There were comebacks by Blink-182, Dope, Disturbed, Good Charlotte, Lacey Sturm, Metallica, Sum-41, and many others.  Some were definitely more successful than others.  Some bands like Babymetal, Crobot, and Monster Truck proved that they are more than just a one-off.  And still others like Megadeth and Rob Zombie added to their already rich catalogues.  With so many albums of 2016 to pick from, a top 10 list was difficult to put together, but here are my picks.

Top Albums of 2016
Mark Tremonti is a guitar god and singer Myles Kennedy is a beast!  With bands like Shinedown and 3 Doors Down getting softer as singers age and members change, I think Alter Bridge is the best American hard rock band going right now.  The lead track "Show Me A Leader" is up for rock song of the year in Loudwire's fan poll and that is only the beginning of this amazing album.  See my full track-by-track review here.

Babymetal was written off by many as too pop, too eccentric, too young, or just "not metal enough."  However, their fan base has only grown with live performances in the United States lighting up the stage and now their second album which is even heavier, and maybe deeper, than the first.  It still combines J-pop Japanese vocals with Dragonforce-style riffing, but the beefy bass lines and ecclectic mix of genres is dynamic and exciting.  "Karate" is up for Loudwire poll's metal song of the year and it is rivaled by numerous other songs on the album (i.e. Amore or Awadama Fever) as more metal or most favorite.

I have been a fan of Nonpoint since I first heard them from the car speakers of a fellow Metrostars tailgater in Giants stadium parking lot in 2000.  This album is probably their most complete of a masterpiece since their debut Statement.  Lead single Generation Idiot is a spectacular commentary on the technology zombies of today's youth.  Bottled Up Killer Bees delivers a refreshing dose of guitar riffs from BC Kochmit. El Diablo brings Nonpoint's classic Spanish influences in a hell of a song.  Album closer My Last Dying Breath has become a fan favorite already with a cult following.
Cryptic Rock reviews this album about as good as I could here

I have been singing the praises of this band for a while.  Their sophomore album Memento Mori follows their debut, Lux, perfectly.  There are some heavier songs, some emotional songs, and some real deep themes on this record.  I love the unique rasp of singer Aaron Nordstrom's voice and the band sounds amazing behind him through home speakers or live on stage.  Memento Mori means "Remember We Die" and the single by that name is a face-ripper with a positive message about living for the moment.
Here I review their stage show and album in more detail.

Dave Mustaine has had his doubters who have said his best days are behind him, but I disagree.  On "Look Who's Talking" Dave addresses some of the critics and shit-talkers.  The title track is also driven.  I was skeptical of this album before I bought it, but I was pleasantly surprised.  Dystopia really delivers some good songs and some amazing guitar work.  There are chugging riffs and ripping solos.  It is mixed and mastered perfectly.  Honestly, I like it more every time I listen to it and I haven't found a Megadeth album yet that I don't like.  Sorry, Metallica, this is what real metal sounds like.

Throw the Fight - Transmissions almost didn't make this list simply because I had never heard of them before they started touring with the likes of Bullet for My Valentine and Nonpoint.  Formed in the early 2000's out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Throw the Fight is a mix of alternative and heavy that is right up my alley.  There is also a mix of singing and screaming.  They have a few slow songs and then some headbangers.  Transmissions is going to get a lot of play on my devices in 2017.

Another band I learned about from opening for Nonpoint, Kyng keeps cranking out the stoner rock riffs and melodic grooves with their latest Breathe in the Water.  They at times sound like Soundgarden, Toadies, and/or Clutch.  This is the kind of album you can have on in the background or that you can hang on every note and it is an enjoyable listen both ways.  If you don't know this band do yourself a favor and check them out.

While not my favorite album of Weezer's, the white album is a good mix of their old and new styles.  It has some of the deepest lyrical themes since Pinkerton and some of the catchiest hooks since the green album.  The album is sort of like a continuous story as indicated by the beach noises that begin and close the album.  Sometimes I think Weezer try too hard to appeal to the younger audiences and revert to cheesy-pop styles.  When I want to cherry pick the best, my go-to songs off of this album are are "King of the World" and "Summer Elaine and Drunk Dori."

See my 8-10 album reviews of Weezer, Issues, and Tremonti in a previous post here.

Other 2016 albums worth a listen:

Anthrax - For All Kings
Beach Slang - A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings
Beartooth - Aggressive
Blink 182 - California
Chevelle - The North Corridor
Crobot - Welcome to Fat City
David Bowie - Blackstar
Deftones - Gore

Devildriver - Trust No One
Disturbed - Immortalized
Dope - Blood Money
Filter - Crazy Eyes
Gojira - Magma
(Hed)P.E. - Forever!
I Prevail - Lifelines
Kings of Leon - Walls
Lacey Sturm - Life Screams
Metallica - Hardwired...to Self Destruct

Monster Truck - Sittin' Heavy
Moose Blood - Blush
Red Sun Rising - Polyester Zeal
Rival Sons - Hollow Bones
Rob Zombie - The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser
Sick Puppies - Fury
Skillet - Unleashed
Slothrust - Everyone Else
Sum 41 - 13 Voices
Testament - Brotherhood of the Snake
Trivium - Ab Initio

Volbeat - Seal the Deal and Let's Boogie
Wolfmother - Victorious
Wovenwar - Honor is Dead

Most disappointing albums of 2016:

Good Charlotte - Youth Authority

Green Day - Revolution Radio

Highly Suspect - The Boy Who Died Wolf