2019 has been one of the biggest years in heavy music in recent memory, with heavyweights such as Tool, Slipknot and Rammstein dropping long-awaited new albums, while trailblazing up-and-comers pushed boundaries in their own right. For her part, Lzzy Hale spent time touring support of Halestorm's latest album, 2018's Vicious, and working on a new EP. With that in mind, we asked the singer-guitarist to share some of her favorite music from the past 12 months — below is what she offered up.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Ghosteen
I love Nick Cave. This album is so sad, like a melancholy train of thought. It's beautiful, poetic and heart-wrenching.
Bring Me the Horizon - Amo
These guys know how to deliver the hooks. This whole record is a beautiful dichotomy of sugary pop and metal. The slick production makes this album easy to listen to and is full of T-shirt-worthy innuendos.
Tool - Fear Inoculum
What can I say ... it's Tool. They took a departure from their normal hooks and made this record more of a jam, in my opinion. The guitar tones are stellar and the drum work is incredible as always.
Rival Sons - Feral Roots
These boys do soul-shaking rock & roll like no one else. Incredible musicians and a passionate singer. This album, to me, talks about holding onto who you are and where you come from while you walk the long highway towards something bigger than yourself. What's even more incredible than this album is seeing these boys live. They give 110 percent every night.
The Cranberries - In the End
In light of the recent passing of Dolores O'Riordan, her bandmates wrote instrumentals around the demos that she left behind, creating this album. It's haunting to hear Dolores' voice sing about her pain and sadness that ultimately brought her to her end. This album rightfully has some of the most honest songwriting released in years.
Ghost - Kiss the Go-Goat EP
No one can pull of this kind of humor quite like Ghost. Mastermind Tobias is a genius and I can't wait to hear what Ghost releases next!
Korn - The Nothing
I've had this album on repeat for months. The legendary Korn delivers the riffs, tones, lyrical madness and a voice that is quintessentially and undeniably Jonathan Davis.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Infest the Rats' Nest
A modern metal Zappa. There are no boundaries, no ceilings — they truly chase whatever gets them excited. Just try to put them in a box. They'll slither out of it like Astro Glide.
Larkin Poe - Venom and Faith
I love these girls! The Nashville-based and 2019 Grammy-nominated sister duo comprise of Rebecca and Megan Lovell and heart and teeth on this album and are better players than most the boys out there right now!
Devin Townsend - Empath
This man has no limits. And you can listen to this album a dozen times and still hear something new every time. Truly legendary!
Billie Eilish - When All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
This is my pop choice of the year. Honest and dangerous. Reminiscent of how Lady Gaga made me feel with her Fame Monster. This album defies genres. Pop princesses and metalheads alike can find something they like on Billie's album.
