Favourite Rock and Metal Albums of 2016 Vol. 2

We are now five months into 2017, where I have had the chance to listen to more albums released last year. And so I have come to realise that my list of favourite 2016 rock/metal albums was woefully incomplete. 

Thankfully, there is no hard and fast rule that forbids a very belated follow-up post. Not for me, anyway. If there is anything I’ve learnt from Marvel’s raging success, it is that a Volume 2 fixes everything. What better way to kick it off than some new noise? 

Starting with:

10. Dorothy – ROCKISDEAD

The title ROCKISDEAD is a pure fib. Not that we mind at all. From the stompin’ proclamation of Raise Hell, to the southern echoes in Gun in My Hand, Dorothy‘s debut album impresses like few others can, leaving us ravenous for more.

Goodbye naysayers. Long live rock n’ roll, thanks to this hell-raising headbanger and self-confessed snack devourer. Newcomer Dorothy Martin has reignited the rock n’ roll scene in a big way, with her fervent powerhouse vocals tailor-made for modern blues.

9. The Record Company – Give It Back to You

Here’s another for the old souls (with young hearts). Making their stunning debut with Give It Back to You, The Record Company flaunts their speciality in manufacturing consecutively masterful blues jams. Less is more. Three is all it takes to deliver consecutive killer tracks, with folksy harmonica, slide guitar, bass lines, and rockin’ raw vocals.

Could this rising trio soon take on the title as the new princes of blues? Perhaps. Then again, they might have a hard time fighting off Rival Sons (I just love them a whole lot, all right).

8. Fates Warning – Theories of Flight

Onto the veterans. Progressive legends Fates Warning is back with their twelfth studio effort. Over the years, their music has evolved significantly, such that A Pleasant Shade of Gray may very well be from a different band altogether. But not once have they faltered for me.

Brooding notes launch into heavy riffs and passion-driven solos, making a dent right from the start in From the Rooftops. Showcasing their knack for melodic hooks and Ray Alder’s incredible range, Theories of Flight marks one of their most consistent and outstanding works to date. 

7. Dark Lunacy – The Rain After The Snow

One of the most underrated and talented bands in the scene, Dark Lunacy have excelled in both classical and metal music for almost twenty years. Their heavy orchestral music has shown no sign of rust after all this time.

The Rain After the Snow yet again showcases their effortless fusion of the disparate genres, though it never quite measures up to their six-year-old record Devoid. To be fair, a flawless record is hard to beat.

6. Fleshgod Apocalypse – King

It seems that Italian metallers can do no wrong when armed with a string quartet. Displaying their ambitions of grandiose and operatic inclinations, Fleshgod Apocalypse is perhaps one of the best bands I have seen live. Dressed in full period costumes, they prove themselves born performers meant for the big stage.

Four full-length albums later, the musicians have launched one of their finest works yet. King is as heavy as it is graceful, as the opening sees an anthemic march segue into symphonious arias fit for well, kings. There is nothing quite like it.

More on Page 2.

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