Recently, I revealed Testament’s Brotherhood of the Snake to be my 2016 Album of the Year, and today I’m going to dive a bit deeper and report my top ten albums of the year. While heavy metal has been, and continues to be my favorite type of music, there were some fantastic albums released in a wide variety of genres.
Top 10:
1. Brotherhood of the Snake – Testament
• For my full review, click here – https://tannerkenney.com/?p=709
2. Hardwired… to Self-Destruct – Metallica
• This album is massive – 12 tracks plus a bonus disc of live music and covers… Hardwired has a little to offer for everyone… and a TON of heavy metal \m/\m/
3. Dystopia – Megadeth
• Following the departure and replacement of the band’s drummer and lead guitarist, Dave Mustaine has proved (once again) that he is the mastermind behind Megadeth, and they’re as heavy as ever. While not nearly as crunchy as Countdown to Distinction, the lyrics, musicianship, and production of the album are fantastic.
4. XI – Metal Church
• Metal Church is back… with Mike Howe in tow! With its latest release, XI, Metal Church is teaching the current crop of musicians how it’s done.
5. For All Kings – Anthrax
• This album took a while to grow on me, but it did just that. Joey Belladonna sounds better than ever, and that’s a good thing. A great effort from a great band – the production is certainly better than any of the band’s previous releases.
6. Breakin’ Outta Hell – Airbourne
• The fourth studio release from Airbourne is very similar to their previous efforts – and that’s a good thing. This album’s a ton of fun, loud, and funny. Crank it up for maximum enjoyment \m/
7. Livin’ on a High Note – Mavis Staples
• I’ve not only had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Staples perform live, but I got to do so in the home of the late, great Levon Helm during one of his legendary Rambles. She was incredible. And so is this album!
8. Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons (Debut – EP)
• I was nervous that Phil & Co. were going to try to go down the familiar Motörhead path, but this album is a healthy step away from the best rock ‘n’ roll band ever… and they’ve released a fantastic debut record.
9. Resonate – Glenn Hughes
• Glenn Hughes is back in the rock ‘n’ roll game with a tremendous album – he sounds better than ever! Powerful, thoughtful, diverse… Hughes proves once again he can perform with the best of any genre.
10. Modern Primitive – Steve Vai
• There’s not much to say about Steve Vai… he’s incredible.
Honorable Mentions & Notable Releases:
• 4½ – Steven Wilson
• The Astonishing – Dream Theater
o While I agree that this album is far too long, it’s also filled with some of Dream Theater’s best instrumentals to-date. Mike Mangini is a worthy replacement for stickman Mike Portnoy.
• Blackstar – David Bowie
o Whilst some would be inclined to say that the initial sales figures for Black Star were motivated by David Bowie’s death just two days after the release of the album, it becomes apparent that this is just not the case. This is a great album. It’s extremely dark and emotional, yet caring and somewhat hopeful. Certainly some anxiety but not a trace of regret.
• Blue & Lonesome – The Rolling Stones
• Braver than We Are – Meat Loaf
• Broken Lines – Giraffe Tongue Orchestra
• Built to Last – HammerFall
o The veteran power metallers have reunited to release another record – and it’s 100% classic HammerFall \m/\m/
• Chapter and Verse – Bruce Springsteen
o I must admit that I am not the biggest Bruce fan in the world, but I do enjoy his music and love his band. I spent a lot of time with The Rising, and this record is just as solid.
• Clean Your Clock – Mötorhead (Live)
o By no means is this the best Mötorhead live album – not even close. However, given Lemmy’s poor health, it’s astonishing it was able to be recorded, at all. Lemmy died less than a month after his final concert at the Max Shmelling Halle in Berlin and a mere two days after his 70th birthday. While wasn’t inclined to include any live releases, the album features a great solo from the tremendous Phil Campbell and one of the only performances of “When the Sky Comes Looking for You” from 2015’s Bad Magic. Moreover, “Whorehouse Blues” was reworked to include a double kick drum via “the best drummer in the world” Mikkey Dee and features some relatively impressive harmonica from the coolest man to ever live.
• Cold World – Of Mice & Men
o It’s a shame I’ll never get to see this band live as the lead singer was forced to retire because of complications due Marfan’s Syndrome – the genre isn’t my favorite, but by all accounts they put on a tremendous show.
• Coolaid – Snoop Dogg
o Everything this guy touches is gold… or purple.
• Dead to the World – Helmet
• For the Good Times: A Tribute to Ray Price – Willie Nelson
• The Holographic Principle – Epica
• Integrity Blues – Jimmy Eat World
• In the Now – Barry Gibb
• Jomsviking – Amon Amarth
o Originally written for the screen, the story behind Jomsviking is as captivating as the musicianship.
• The Last Hero – Alter Bridge
o While not my favorite band, I agree with Eddie Trunk’s assessment that they could become a major arena in the U.S., as they are in Europe, with a shed tour in support of a great record.
• The Last Stand – Sabaton
• Let Me Get By – Tedeschi Trucks Band
o Another classic release from a blues staple.
• Lighthouse – David Crosby
• The Ninth Hour – Sonata Arctica
o Another solid performance from an underrated power metal band.
• Not the Actual Events – Nine Inch Nails (EP)
o This EP, like Breakin’ Outta Hell, is exactly what you would expect from the band – classic NiN sounds in a great package.
• Ouroboros – Ray LaMontagne
• Peace Trail – Neil Young
• Sex Love & Pain II – Tank
• Sorceress – Opeth
• Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin – Willie Nelson
• This House is Not for Sale – Bon Jovi
o I gave this album a few listens… it’s not my cup of tea. Slippery When Wet fans may not be very pleased with this release – there’s not an ounce of hair metal to be found.
• Three – Phantogram
o Not my favorite album from the band, but I’ve seen the band perform live and they have a tremendously fun, positive show that should be seen by fans of any genre.
• Victorious – Wolfmother
• Wonderful Crazy Night – Elton John
• X (No Absolutes) – Prong
• You Want it Darker – Leonard Cohen
