Top 5 of 2016

As promised, my top 5 favorite albums of 2016! 

5. Avenged Sevenfold - The Stage

Another great release by one of my favorite "modern era" metal bands. I hope to see them live again soon so I can catch some of the new tracks live. Amazing guitar work with that classic harmonic sound. Great music for lifting weights. 

4. Enuff Z'Nuff - Clowns Lounge

This album is mostly comprised of previously unreleased recording sessions from the late 80s. That is, the golden age of glam. This choice is a nod toward my past.

3. Bon Jovi - This House Is Not For Sale

Not the best Bon Jovi album ever, but man the production is slick. The budget is big, so the band keeps churning out videos even if no one is watching them much anymore. I always applaud classic bands releasing new music and not just sitting on their laurels, happy to live off past fame. This album is a good effort and I'm down for that, plus you can listen to this one with your mom. 

2. Asking Alexandria - The Black 

This is the band's first (and only) album to feature singer Denis Shaforostov. The band just reunited with Danny Worsnop and that's a good thing, but The Black has some killer moments, including the title track and "Let It Sleep." This album is also great for the gym. 

1. I See Stars - Treehouse 

I See Stars is electronicore. There is no band I listen to more on a regular basis than this one, mainly because I throw them on each time I run. In all the miles I've run, I've never come across a better band that matches beats with my pace. "Mobbin Out" was the first single from Treehouse and it easily became one of my favorite songs, period. Devin Oliver's voice gets impossibly high on this track. There's something European about this band and yet they are from Michigan. Their song structures are inventive and I've yet to come across another electronicore band that I enjoy quite this much. Quite frankly, there's just no match. Now all that said, I've never seen this band live. I would have liked to check them out at the Warped Tour last summer, but I figured I'd be the oldest person there, so I just passed. 

Other tracks from Treehouse I love? "Running With Scissors" and "Calm Snow."

Now here's Christian's Top 5 of 2016:

5. Avenged Sevenfold - The Stage

4. In Flames- Battles

3. Amon Amarth - Jomsviking 

2. Sabaton - The Last Stand

1. Testament - Brotherhood of the Snake

Now, we only have one cross-over in Avenged Sevenfold, but Christian did agree with me that the new Asking Alexandria is an incredible album and it would be in his top 10.

So what are your favorites of 2016? 

Comments

[Jakki Steal]

I've only gotten 3 newly released metal related CD's this year:

#1: Guns N Roses - First Bet In Vegas ( Live April 8, 2016) [Bootleg of course, but still killer quality]!

#2: Van Halen - Rock N Roll Hoochie Koo [Rare 1975 radio broadcast w/several unreleased songs]!

#3: Pretty Reckless - Who You Selling For [One & only real new release of 2016 that I love]!

[Him]

I love lists like this. Like philosophical treatises, they boil down to personal preferences. Which is a good thing. We don't all have to like the same stuff. This site often reminds me of that fact.

Listen, I can't really stand Bellend Centerfold. To me, they sound like Chicken Finger Monkey Punch. It all runs together (I also don't listen to electronicore). And that is on me for not getting it. But if you get it (and, clearly, some of you do), and you love it, great. No disrespect . . . even with my corny name changes.

So I can totally take a dose of sarcastic dismissal when I list my favorite of the year: Ghost's song, "Square Hammer," off of the _Popestar_ EP. It is as close as they have come to distilling all that is great about them into a tight, infectious, song. The video, with all of its cheesy recycled motifs, ain't bad either.

I'd also start a tired 'Tallica vs. Deth battle if not for the fact that it leads nowhere. Though I will say this: (1) I think Megadeth's return to form was far more successful, even if it was just as calculated; and (2) the lyrical content is far more topical and thought-provoking (even if the thoughts it provokes don't trend with your particular political POV . . . that pesky topic I tend to avoid on this site).

Hey, it is good to celebrate what we loved about 2016. Let's hope for more good things to come. And I hope you all see the new year in in fine fashion. And I mean that: all . . . of . . . you. Even when some of us come to flaccid typewritten blows, it is a good thing. It keeps me sharp. And I look forward to more of it in the year to come. If there was an emoticon for "blowing kisses to bkallday" I would use it right now!

Again, Happy NY everyone. Have fun. Be safe. I will see you here next year. Figuratively, of course!

[Kevon]

My Mom bought the new Bon Jovi cd to play while doing her laundry. I gave it a shot. I think its a large turd 💩. Mom really enjoys it though. She is 85 and a bit senile, but there is a lid for every pot.

[JAT]

Interesting to me that, on a Glam website, between Christian and Allyson, we only have 1 real Glam LP listed and they are throwouts from the 80's. But I am not a Glam only guy either I guess, I like many forms of metal (and some outside the metal genre) as well.

HIM, I love Ghost's "Square Hammer" as well. Great song indeed. Some of my favorites in no particular order:

Bulletrain "What You Fear Most"

ScreamMaker "Back Against The World"

Skarlet "Skarlet" (Great band, probably my fav new band of 2016. Think a more glam Guns & Roses)

NiteRain "Vendetta"

Maverick "Big Red"

Hammerschmitt "Still On Fire"

Last In Line "Heavy Crown"

[Allyson]

JAT,

For more, there just weren't that many strong true GLAM releases this year. I had Def Lep on my list and then released it came out at the end of 2015 (meaning it was on my list from last year!)

I don't know Skarlet - but I will surely look them up now! - Allyson

[Brian C.]

1. BulletBoys - Elefante

Nothing else comes close in 2016. This is an amazing and solid album.

[Bkallday]

Wow, here's my opinion. The op list is embarrassing for me to even read. I like A7x but their new album is terrible imo. Nothing like the last one which would actually pass as solid metal. Bon Jovi & Asking Alexandria??? Lol, there's nothing more embarrassing than trying to say 2016 Bon Jovi makes a top of the yr list. & Asking Alexandria?!?! Typical crap scream-o. I'm not gonna try to be hip, like some of you, and list a bunch of junk that no one has ever heard, but here's my top 5 for the yr. Feel free to bash away!

5. Suicidal Angels "Division of Blood"
4. Jackyl "ROWYCO"
3. Anthrax "For all Kings"
2. Metallica "Hardwired..."
1. Testament "Brotherhood of the Snake"

[Bob]

I'll do my list later, but JAT, nicely done with maverick. those guys kick ass, and are a party waiting to happen. BK, nicely done on jackyl's new record. The best they've done in years.

[TheCheapSeats]

I do a list that includes many different genres, but here are some the rock/hard rock albums that made it, in no particular order. And I will try to be hip and list a bunch of junk that no one has ever heard of, because that's the kind of crap I've been listening to.

Dorothy - ROCKISDEAD
Love her voice and the bluesy, swampy sound of the band.

The Struts - Everybody Wants
Glam in the old-school British version of glam kind of way.

The Temperance Movement - White Bear
Southern psychedelic grunge rock from the UK.

Whiskey Myers - Mud
Carrying on the tradition of Southern rock the right way.

Monster Truck - Sittin' Heavy
Good straight up hard rock from Canada.

The Dead Deads - For Your Obliteration...
Think angry Go-Gos on acid.

[fletch]

Meat Loaf; Braver Than We Are. (BTW), the song, "Going all the way" features both the vocal stylings of Ellen Foley *and* Karla DeVito for you history buffs out there. Very cool move, I admit.

Lady Gaga: Joanne

Bon Jovi: This house is not for sale

Jackyl; ROWYCO

Steel Panther: Live from Lexi's mom's garage

[Gary]

@fletch I gotta check out that Meatloaf song (and I won't even sleep on it) Slick move on Mr. Aday's part 😎

[Snoot]

5. Death Angel - The Evil Divide

4. Cheap Trick - Bang Zoom Crazy...Hello

3. Testament - Brotherhood of the Snake

2. The Peep Tempel - Joy

1. Shovels & Rope - Little Seeds

[Dj]

1.Hatebreed-The Concrete Confessional
This is the one I listened to the most, great lyrics and straight to the point, they're getting me into more heavier bands that are relatively newer and even some old hardcore.
2.Testament-Brotherhood Of The Snake
I'm not even a huge Testament fan but this blew me away, guys are in their 50's and still playing like it's 1986...
3.Metallica-Hardwired To Self Destruct
Just got this recently and wasn't hyped up over the singles, but the more you listen the more it grows on you.
4.Anthrax-For All Kings
Great followup to Worshipping Music, tons of great songs, I saw them live and they had so much energy with the old and new songs.
5.Motley Crue-The End
It's a CD DVD of the final show/shows, in all honesty I threw this in there because there really wasn't a ton of great glam that came out this year that I heard anyway. But seriously, this is a great performance, especially Home Sweet Home and Primal Scream, there's a few mistakes they didn't cut out which kind of makes it cool.

Korn and Gojira had pretty good albums too but they haven't grown on me as much as my top 5 did, but those are definately worth checking out. Next year for sure we have Papa Roach, Halestorm, Stone Sour, Motionless In White, and Bullet For My Valentine. Keeping my fingers crossed for GNR....

[fletch]

tre' cool, marvin lee

[GNR]

Cheapseats ?!?!

Love me some Monster Truck !!! That album rocks.
and Temperance Movement (saw them twice last year opening for Blackberry Smoke)
and Whiskey Myers ?!?! are we long lost blood brothers. Love that too !

I'll have to check out your other selections because it sounds like we have similar tastes.

[Metalboy!]

Whoa! I know I'm a little late to the party. I was actually kidnapped by some hipster carolers when I started thinking about my list and then...

I found so many great suggestions under this post, as usual, I had to bump a quarter of mine to replace with some of yours, JAT, as you will see... I hope you don't mind. Also, I got so many from Allyson's posts over the last couple of years, as well as those of her staff (Kim, where'd did you go? You met Nikki Sixx and then you disappeared!), then following those bands, leading me to their current 2016 releases! Also, sad but true, as Allyson mentioned, this year PALED when compared to 2015! Let's hope all those great bands who made it last year will be back in 2017!

Trolls ready? Here we go!... BTW, as usual, the following lists go to 11!...

BEST ALBUMS OF 2016:

1) Striker, "Stand In The Fire" Non-stop flawless 80's style Power Metal from beginning to end!

2) Inglorious, "Inglorious"

3) Scream Maker, "Back Against the World" -- Thanks, JAT!

4) Bulletrain, "What You Fear the Most" -- Thanks, JAT!

5) Reckless Love, "InVader" -- Thanks, Allyson!

6) Skarlet, "Skarlet" -- Thanks, JAT!

7) Nightrain, "Vendetta" -- Thanks, JAT!

8) The Treatment, "Generation Me" -- Thanks, Kim!

9) The Defiants, "The Defiants" -- 3 former Danger Danger members (Paul Laine, Bruno Ravel and Rob Marcello

10) Shiraz Lane, "For Crying Out Loud" -- Actually, already had this one, swear JAT!

11) Tailgun, "Raise Some Hell"

Honorable Mentions:

The Tip, "Sailor's Grave" -- Thanks, Allyson!
Jackyl, "Rowyco" -- I hated these guys... Until I heard this album! Better late than never!
Glam Skanks, "Glitter City" -- Hilarious 70's style All Chick Glam Rock! The Shangri-La's meets The Ramones meets The Runaways. In fact, these chicks are Cherrie Currie's backing band.
Burning Point, "The Blaze"
Herman Frank, "The Devil Rides Out"
The Struts, "Everybody Wants"
Rik Emmett & RESolution 9, "Res9"
Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons, "Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons"
Devils Balls, "Ride the Tiger"
Danger Zone, "Closer to Heaven"
Rusted Guns, "Rusted Guns" - EP
Ghost, "Popestar" - EP
The Confounded, "Three Years Later" - EP
Dirty Glory, "Mind The Gap"
Kissin' Dynamite, "Generation Goodbye"
Eden's Curse, "Cardinal"
Scattered Hamlet, "Swamp Rebel Machine"
Resurrection Kings, "Resurrection Kings"
Eclipse, "Armageddonize"
Jaded Heart, "Guilty by Design"
Wanted, "God's Best Sinners"
Heavy Star, "Electric Overdrive"
The Last Vegas, "Eat Me"
Tigertailz, "Blast"
AOR, "L.A. Darkness"
Scorpions, "Return to Forever"
Texas Hippie Coalition, "Dark Side of Black"
Jorn, "Heavy Rock Radio"
Sister, "Stand Up, Forward, March!"
Airbourne, "Breakin' Outta Hell"
Hollywood Monsters, "Big Trouble"
Crossbones, "Rock the Cradle"
White Widdow, "Silhouette"
Heavy Tiger, "Glitter" Awesome All Chick 70's style Glam Rock/Hard Rock from Sweden, natch
Dreamtale, "Seventhian... Memories of Time"
Metallica, "Hardwired... To Self Destruct"

BEST SONGS OF 2016:

1) "United", Striker

2) "Metal Queen", Burning Point -- Are these guys kidding? Amazing, regardless!

3) "Ballhog Zone", Herman Frank

4) "Bullettime", Reckless Love

5) "Come Out", NiteRain

6) "Runaway", The Defiants

7) "Backseat Heartbeat", The Treatment (I know, I'm such a sucker for the mushy stuff!)

8) "Human Race" (feat. Alex Lifeson) - Phenomenal! Great Robin Zander impression with Alex Lifeson on Guitar! SO much better than that other band he wasted his entire life with! The song Cheap Trick wish they could still write! In fact, they should just cover it!

9) "Big Mouth", Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons

10) "Everyone's a Winner", Jackyl -- Killer Jackylized Hot Chocolate cover!

11) "Breakaway", Inglorious

Honorable Mentions:

"Ain't Fakin' It", The Tip
"Skarlet", Skarlet
"House of Cards", Shiraz Lane
"Raise Some Hell", Tailgun
"F*ck Off", Glam Skanks
"Memory Lane", Bulletrain
"Gotta Carry On", Devils Balls
"Hard Rock Paradise", Danger Zone
"She's on Fire", Rusted Guns - Nice homage to Dokken with burnin' solos
"Squarehammer", Ghost
"Could Have Been Me", The Struts
"Can You See The Fire", Scream Maker
"Riot", The Confounded
"The Great Pretender", Eden's Curse - Single
"Battle Hymn", Scattered Hamlet
"Livin' out Loud", Resurrection Kings
"Raise Some Hell", Tailgun
"Seven Gates of Hell", Jaded Heart
"Joanna", Wanted
"Electric Overdrive", Heavy Star
"Here We Go Again", The Last Vegas
"Breakaway", Inglorious
"Crime Against Rock n' Roll", Tigertailz
"The Smartest Girl In L.A." AOR
"Rock 'n' Roll Band", Scorpions
"Hit It Again", Texas Hippie Coalition
"Running Up That Hill", Jorn -- Metalized cover of Kate Bush
"Carved In Stone", Sister
"It's All for Rock n' Roll", Airbourne
"Heroes", Hollywood Monsters -- Nice pumped up version of the David Bowie classic
"Rock the Cradle", Crossbones
"Surrender My Heart", White Widow
"Let the Sunshine In", Heavy Tiger -- Sweet cover of the song from "HAIR", the 60's Broadway Musical given the Rock'n'Roll treatment by these Swedish chicks.
"October Is Mine", Dreamtale
"Hardwired", Metallica

And now for a little perspective...

BEST ALBUMS OF 1986:

1) Cinderella, "Night Moves"

2) POISON, "Look What The Cat Dragged In"

3) RATT, "Undercover"

4) Vinnie Vincent Invasion, "Vinnie Vincent Invasion"

5) Ozzy Osbourne, "The Ultimate Sin"

6) Judas Priest, "Turbo"

7) Lizzy Borden, "Menace To Society"

8) White Tiger, "White Tiger"

9) Bonfire, "Don't Touch The Light"

10) Europe, "The Final Countdown"

11) Bon Jovi, "Slippery When Wet"

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Metallica, "Master Of Puppets"
Stryper, "To Hell With The Devil"
Waysted, "Say Your Prayers"
David Lee Roth, "Eat 'Em And Smile"
Van Halen, "5150"
Loudness, "Lightning Strikes"
AC/DC, "Who Made Who"
Great White, "Shot In The Dark"

[JAT]

Great list as always Metalboy! I would never see it as poaching...this is a Glam site and great music is great music.

[Metalboy!]

JAT!!!

YOU have excellent taste in music, my friend! I was blown away by your selections! Please tell me anything I may have missed that might have filled your Top 11 or more I should check out or if any of the bands or songs I listed are ones you like, also.

Also, keep your eyes peeled on heavyharmonies.com for those characters' Best of Lists they should be posting within the next month or so. Those guys really know their sh*t!

[fletch]

mb: if you wanna keep it real...it's night songs. bringing down the night depends on whom you hire.

[Metalboy!]

ADDENDUM: How could I forget Steven Pearcy's track "Want Too Much", off his forthcoming album, "SMASH", in my "Best Songs of 2016"? Though the album is coming out this year, the song was released in 2016, making it fair game (in my book) to be eligible for inclusion. I would slot it in between NightTrain's "Come Out" and The Defiants' (Danger Danger alums) "Runaway", bumping "Breakaway" by Inglorious into "Honorable Mentions".

I also forgot to list my favorite tracks of 1986, so here they are... Just for the helluvit, I also note where I have the 45 or 12" single vinyl.

BEST SONGS of 1986:

1) "Cry Tough", POISON (Look What The Cat Dragged In) - Picture Sleeve 45

2) "Somebody Save Me", CINDERELLA (Night Songs)

3) "Body Talk", RATT (Undercover) - Picture Sleeve 45

4) "Boyz Are Gonna Rock", Vinnie Vincent Invasion (S/T) Promo Single - Orange Vinyl 45

5) "Shot In The Dark", Ozzy Osbourne (The Ultimate Sin) - UK Picture Sleeve 45

6) "Wild Nights, Hot & Crazy Days", Judas Priest (Turbo)

7) "Ultra-Violence", Lizzy Borden (Menace To Society)

8) "Bad Time Coming", White Tiger (S/T)

9) "Hot To Rock", Bonfire (Don't Touch The Light)

10) "Rock The Night", Europe (The Final Countdown) - UK 12"

11) "Livin' On A Prayer", Bon Jovi (Slippery When Wet) - Picture Sleeve 45, 12"