Articles : Chris Reid’s Top Albums of 2016

2016 was another great year for new releases. Here are my picks for the very best of the year, a mixed bag for sure.

10. Megadeth – Dystopia

As a Megadeth fan there’s nothing not to like about this album; For me it is easily the best album that David Ellefson has played on since Youthanasia. The album is good to the point that I’m starting to forget just how atrocious the lyrics to Burn were or how that bloke from Disturbed was invited to do guest vocals on the last album. Incredibly the video to Supercollider seems like nothing more than a bad dream. Check out: The Threat Is Real

9. Fallujah – Dreamless

I’ll admit that I’m fairly late to the Fallujah party but as they say, better late than never. The relatively unique combination of tech death and progressive/melodic elements makes the album a highly rewarding listening experience. Fallujah’s major label debut is perhaps the most refreshing release in the tech death space that I can remember hearing for quite some time. Check out: The Void Alone

8. Opeth – Sorceress

Comfortably the most enjoyable album that Opeth have released since Watershed. Mikael actually sums Sorceress up the best when he said ‘It’s both fresh and old, both progressive and rehashed. Heavy and calm. Just the way we like it’. Just the way I like it too. Check out: Sorceress

7. Anthrax – For All Kings

Anthrax may be one of very few bands of their vintage who can rightfully claim that their latest release is up there with their finest work to date. I’m not saying I prefer Blood Eagle Wings to Caught In A Mosh or that For All Kings is better than Among The Living, but their latest release is every bit as good as their very best work. Check out: Blood Eagle Wings

6. Devin Townsend – Transcendence

I’ll admit that when Devin Townsend announced a new album I was interested, but not to the extent that I may have been a decade ago. If you’re feeling the same way then you absolutely owe it to yourself to get your hands on a copy of Transcendence because it is good enough to reinvigorate even the most Jaded fans. One of the best albums of his career, and easily his strongest under the DTP moniker. Check out: Failure

5. Dream Theater – The Astonishing

With nothing left to prove Dream Theater embarked on their most grandiose album to date – a double disk rock opera. In applying themselves to something more than a typical studio album they have been able to produce something quite spectacular, whilst also shaking them themselves out of the relatively safe ‘DT by numbers’ approach that they’ve been applying to the writing of albums since 2007’s Systematic Chaos. A Refreshing release from the legends of the genre. Check out: The Gift of Music

4. Zhrine – Unortheta

Incredible album from Iceland’s Zhrine. Anyone who thinks that extreme music is one dimensional needs to get their hands on this release. Innovative & Unique, dark & foreboding Zhrine draw on a wide range of influences from black, death, dissonant & progressive metal. At the heart of it Unortheta is just really well written and executed release and is essential listening if you’re the type of person who likes to listen from albums from start to finish for the overall experience. Check out: Empire

3. Chthe’ilist – Le Dernier Crepuscule

Atmospheric Death Metal from Montreal Quebec. Quite simply the best death metal album I’ve heard in 2016. A must listen if you haven’t stumbled across it this year. Check out: Le Dernier Crépuscule

2. Vektor – Terminal Redux

Who says there isn’t room for innovation in thrash metal. High velocity, shred-laden mayhem from start to finish, and another quality release from a band who I consider to be at the forefront of modern metal. Sci-fi or die! Check out: Charging The Void

1. Haken – Affinity

Affinity see’s Haken nail the balance between restrained song writing and the sort of out of this world musicianship synonymous with heavy progressive music. The album is incredibly strong and equality diverse, to the point that it is able to maintain a freshness on each subsequent listen. You simply can’t go wrong with this album; whether it’s the nostalgic epic 1985, or the somber spacey trip of Red Giant there is simply something for everyone. The 6 piece from the UK are quickly establishing themselves as the pre-eminent Progressive band of this decade, arguably taking the baton from the likes of Dream Theater and Rush before them. Check out: Initiate

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