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2016 has left our heads spinning from all of the killer releases that were dropped this year. In addition to our Top 20 Albums of 2016 list, we've also compiled a list of the 30 Best Songs of 2016 to spotlight some of the crushing singles that came out as well. We will be releasing our list in six installments over the next few days, so check out numbers 20-16 and stay tuned for more!
Check out the rest fof our picks:
No. 30 - 26
No. 25 - 21
Let us know which songs are your favorite!
20. Opeth – "Sorceress"
The title track from Opeth's 12th studio album embodies the crushing progressive metal sound that the band has been known for. Upon the release of the single, frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt said in a statement: "We're happy with the tune. It's heavy, a bit 'meat and potato,' but what the hell…we love it! Hope you do too!"
19. Dream Theater ft. Lzzy Hale – "Our New World"
Dream Theater's 'The Astonishing' is the latest concept album from the band, which is about a dystopian future. As a follow up to the album release, the band reissued a secondary version of the track "Our New World," which featured guest vocals from Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale. Speaking with 'Revolver' about the album, guitarist John Petrucci explained: "Everything about this album was deliberate. It was planned about two and a half years ago. Every detail and layer of it was proposed and planned—from having it based on an original story to having it be a concept album in two acts and being its own stand-alone Dream Theater show that we'll present in seated venues across the world. We had it very mapped out from the beginning."
18. Every Time I Die ft. Brendon Urie – "It Remembers"
Every Time I Die's 'Low Teens' was a heavy, emotional body of work, which came about during the turmoil that frontman Keith Buckley endured when he almost lost his wife and child due to a life-threatening pregnancy complication. While the mainman's ordeal had a happy ending as both his wife and daughter pulled through, the trauma of that night impacted him, which is reflected by his lyrical contributions to the album. The song "It Remembers" features guest vocals from Panic! At the Disco singer Brendon Urie, who provides a melodic counterpoint to the crushing, hardcore album.
17. Zakk Wylde ft. Corey Taylor – "Sleeping Dogs"
Slipknot/Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor makes an appearance on the bonus version of "Sleeping Dogs," which appears on Zakk Wylde's new album, 'Book of Shadows II." During an interview with WZOR, Taylor explained of the collaboration: "It's something that we've been threatening to do for a long time. [Zakk] and I go way, way back — like 2001 is when we really started to become friends. And over the years, we've both been through some serious stuff, and we've landed on the other side of it, and it's just gotten better and better. So when he hit me up, he was just, like, 'I've got this tune. I think it'd really be great [for you] to be a part of it.' And I was, like, 'Absolutely.' 'Cause I've always wanted to do something with him." You can also read an excerpt from Revolver's April 2016 cover story, which featured Zakk Wylde, here.
16. Periphery – "The Price Is Wrong"
Nominated for a Grammy for "Best Metal Performance," "The Price Is Wrong" appears on Periphery's latest album, 'Periphery III: Select Difficulty.' "It's like handing somebody a grenade," guitarist Jake Bowen said of the song, which serves as the album opener. "It's so in-your-face and brutal for us. It was a great way to start." Guitarist Misha Mansoor added, "Every one of our albums has a nice long intro, and we were like, 'Let's kick this off with a drum fill and a pissed-off riff.' It's something we haven't done. It was fun."
2016 has left our heads spinning from all of the killer releases that were dropped this year. In addition to our Top 20 Albums of 2016 list, we've also compiled a list of the 30 Best Songs of 2016 to spotlight some of the crushing singles that came out as well. We will be releasing our list in six installments over the next few days, so check out numbers 25-21 and stay tuned for more!
Check out our picks for No. 30-26 here.
Let us know which songs are your favorite!
25. The Pretty Reckless – "Take Me Down"
"Take Me Down" is the explosive debut single from The Pretty Reckless' new album, 'Who You Selling For.' The single claimed the No. 1 spot on the Rock Radio Chart, making it the fourth consecutive No. 1 single from the band. Speaking about the album in an announcement, frontwoman Taylor Momsen said: "We had so much we wanted to say, it was like shaking a can of soda on tour, and then when we started writing we cracked the seal."
24. Attila – "Public Apology"
Prior to the release of 'Chaos,' the most recent album from Attila, frontman Chris "Fronz" Fronzak informed fans that he would be issuing a "public apology." When the shocking song dropped, the unapologetic lyrics rang out: "I am so sorry, sorry that you're a little bitch." In an interview with Revolver for our December 2016 issue, Fronzak explained, "'Public Apology' is saying 'Stop being a bitch about everything,' but it's also kind of a personal story because a lot of people judge me personally and think that they know everything about me and my life and they think that I've had everything handed to me. People think I'm this trust fund kid or something but they don't realize that we've struggled really hard to get where we're at."
23. Rob Zombie – "Well, Everybody's Fucking in a U.F.O."
Taken from Zombie's sixth studio album, 'The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser,' "Well, Everybody's Fucking in a U.F.O." is a catchy track that will make you feel like you're on acid in outer space. "I can easily say this is my favorite album yet… no joke," said Rob Zombie in a statement. "Yeah I know every fucking asshole says that. But it is seriously our heaviest most fucked up musical monster to date. One song entitled 'Well, Everybody's Fucking in a U.F.O.' is sure to be an instant Zombie classic! Not since 'Hellbilly Deluxe' have I spent this long putting an album together. It was worth it."
22. Pierce the Veil – "Circles"
Pierce the Veil frontman Vic Fuentes searched for lyrical inspiration by going to a number of places such as New York, San Diego, Los Angeles, the Southern California mountain resort of Big Bear, Santa Barbara, and Seattle for the band's new album, 'Misadventures.' The song "Circles" has a heavier meaning behind it as it was inspired by last fall's Paris terrorist attacks and is a hypothesized story about two friends at the Eagles of Death Metal show and how they tried to save each other as the onslaught was taking place.
21. Crowbar – "Falling While Rising"
Sludge lords Crowbar delivered 'The Serpent Only Lies' back in October. "Falling While Rising" was the first single released from the album, which same sludgy, old school riffage that the New Orleans band's legacy has been built on. "'Falling While Rising' is the epitome of Crowbar," frontman Kirk Windstein commented in a press release. "The song is heavy, powerful, emotional and full of massive riffs!"
Megadeth performed their special "Thrashing Through the Snow" acoustic set at the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston on Friday, December 16. The show was in conjunction with Ernie Boch Jr.'s Music Drives Us fundraising series, which raises money for youth music programs in New England. Video footage of Megadeth's performance can be viewed below.
2016 has left our heads spinning from all of the killer releases that were dropped this year. In addition to our Top 20 Albums of 2016 list, we've also compiled a list of the 30 Best Songs of 2016 to spotlight some of the crushing singles that came out as well. We will be releasing our list in six installments over the next few days, so check out numbers 26-30 and stay tuned for more!
Let us know which songs are your favorite!
30. Tombs – "V"
"V" was the first single dropped from Tombs' new EP, 'All Empires Fall.' Combining influences of doom, black metal and shoe-gaze, Tombs deliver an unrivaled gothic metal sound, setting the tone for what to expect for their next full-length release.
29. Alter Bridge – "Show Me a Leader"
Taken from Alter Bridge's latest album, 'The Last Hero,' "Show Me a Leader" is an anthemic tune loaded with epic guitar riffs and hair-raising vocals. "Lyrically, it reflects the frustrations that a lot of people are feeling with the current state of the world," frontman Myles Kennedy said in a statement. "The world is looking for trustworthy effective leadership and not this undignified dog and pony show that's really made a mockery of our system."
28. Avatar – "Night Never Ending"
"Night Never Ending" appears on 'Feathers and Flesh,' the latest album from Revolver Music Awards' "Best New Talent" recipient, Avatar. "It's is a special song," Frontman Johannes Eckerström explained in a release, "being probably the most upbeat and, dare I say, happy piece we've ever released, but under the surface of the fragile message of hope and fighting spirit it is little more than a prelude to a tragedy."
27. The Devil Wears Prada – "To the Key of Evergreen"
While 'Transit Blues' is the sixth studio album from The Devil Wears Prada, it's their first release since guitarist Chris Rubey and drummer Daniel Williams have departed. The song "To the Key of Evergreen" is a love song with brutal riffage and emotional lyrics. Watch the accompanying music video, which is inspired by Vladimir Nabokov's controversial best-selling novel, 'Lolita,' below.
26. Testament – "Brotherhood of the Snake"
Bay area thrash metal legends Testament released another bruiser this year. The title track, "Brotherhood of the Snake," combines their thrash metal rudiments with galloping, modern metal influences as well. In a recent interview with 'Revolver,' song writer/guitarist Eric Peterson explained that while he has always been partial to thrash, in the past Peterson always wanted to make sure Testament's albums contained a strong balance of rippers, anthems, mid-paced groove-rockers, and the occasional ballad. However, everything he wrote for 'The Brotherhood of the Snake' roared with rapid-fire ferocity, so he kept going. "When I was six songs in I went, 'Holy crap, these are all thrash!'" Peterson explained. "But when I listened back I went, 'Well, they all sound different and they're all killer.'"
Darkest Hour have dropped the first single from their forthcoming album, 'Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora,' which is due March 10 via Southern Lord Recordings. You can stream the song "Knife in the Safe Room" below.
"This song sets the tone for the album both lyrically and sonically," commented Darkest Hour guitarist Mike Schleibaum. "While this may be the most fierce album we have ever released, its depth and sonic richness are sure to be discovered as the listener dives in. Thematically this song has a dual purpose. On the surface it is a classic Darkest Hour song, ripe with the reflection of today's bleak modern age but as you peel back the lyrics and ideas contained within the album story unfolds, one that is all too common in human history. This is the beginning, it is part bitter reflection of the way things are and part anthem for those who struggle to survive as the world encircles them. To quote Nina Simone: 'An artist's duty is to reflect the times,' with that we hold a mirror to the face of all things truly horrific and give you, 'The Knife in the Safe Room.'"
The album can be pre-ordered in various formats via SouthernLord.com, Bandcamp, iTunes and Apple Music.
'Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora' was successfully produced, recorded and mastered due to a crowd-funding campaign launched earlier this year by the band. According to Schleibaum, the band tapped Kurt Ballou to produce the album for "his obvious genius." The album was recorded at Godcity Studio and the artwork was rendered by artist Shaun Beaudry.
"Working at Godcity was the perfect vibe for this record and Kurt was everything we could have asked for in a producer," commented Schleibaum. "The passion and experience he brought to the whole album really shows."
Talking about working with Southern Lord Recordings, Schleibaum explained: "The band has a long history of working with Greg and Southern Lord, who originally released the vinyl version of 'The Mark of Judas.' While working with Kurt, we became reacquainted with Greg. We've always respected Greg's work ethic, creative prowess and steadfast dedication to quality."
Southern Lord founder Greg Anderson added: "Southern Lord is beyond stoked to be working with long time favorites Darkest Hour on their upcoming album! Their tasteful, seamless fusion of hardcore and metal as well as never ending dedication to underground music is both admirable and praise worthy," said.
For more information on the new album, check out the band's exclusive series of podcasts which can be heard via Darkest Hour Radio and Apple Music.
'Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora' track listing is as follows:
1. Knife in the Safe Room
2. This is the Truth
3. Timeless Numbers
4. None of This is the Truth
5. The Flesh & The Flowers of Death
6. Those Who Survived
7. Another Headless Ruler of the Used
8. Widowed
9. Enter Oblivion
10. The Last of the Monuments
11. In the Name of Us All
12. Beneath It Sleeps
Listen to "Knife in the Safe Room" below and tell us what you think!
Rob Zombie and People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have partnered up for a limited-edition "Spooky Holiday Stocking." In the video below, the shock rocker shows off his black stocking and shares some of his favorite vegan treats and vegan-themed gifts, which already come stuffed in the stocking.
The Rob Zombie stocking and a comprehensive list of the goodies that come with it are available here.
Epiphone and Revolver hosted the 2016 Epiphone Revolver Music Awards at Webster Hall in New York City on Tuesday, December 13. The event was a massive success, with tickets totally sold out, a packed Black Carpet, and plenty of surprises, including appearances by 'The Walking Dead's Norman Reedus and' Orange Is the New Black's Jessica Pimentel.
Co-hosted by co-headliner Dave Mustaine of Megadeth and SiriusXM's Jose Mangin, the 2016 Epiphone RMAs included performances by Megadeth and Anthrax, along with Zakk Wylde, Lacuna Coil, Stitched Up Heart, and more. A touching, poignant, and thoroughly rock 'n' roll "Fallen Heroes" jam also took place, commemorating the metal icons that we recently lost.
Zakk Wylde said it best — "The RMAs is always a great night to celebrate the entire rock community. I'm thankful to be part of it and look forward to it every year."
The event was not just about the high-octane performances, either.The fan-voted awards were the centerpiece of the ceremony. The full list of winners, including the newly-created Innovator Award, is below.
2016 EPIPHONE RMAS WINNERS:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Megadeth's Dave Mustaine
Innovator Award: Anthrax
Album of the Year: Metallica (For Hardwired... To Self Destruct)
Song of the Year: Ghost (For "Square Hammer")
Best Vocalist: Of Mice & Men's Austin Carlile
Dimebag Darrell Best Guitarist: Megadeth's Dave Mustaine and Kiko Loureiro
Best Drummer: Chris Adler (For his performance on Megadeth's 'Dystopia')
Paul Gray Best Bassist: Meshuggah's Dick Lövgren
Best Live Band: Slipknot
Most Dedicated Fans: Pierce the Veil
Best Film and/or Video: Gojira (For "Silvera")
Best New Talent: Avatar
Most Metal Athlete: Baron Corbin, WWE
Missed the show? You can watch it here.
Be sure to check out RevolverMag.com for more exclusive content and photo galleries from the event.
Emmure will drop their new album, 'Look at Yourself,' in early 2017 via SharpTone Records, making this the band's debut on the label. The band have released "Russian Hotel Aftermath," a new single from the album. The song can be streamed below.
Listen to "Russian Hotel Aftermath" below and let us know what you think!