| 2016 |
| 1 |  | The Neal Morse Band
The Similitude of a Dream |
| 2 |  | If These Trees Could Talk
The Bones of a Dying World
A fantastic journey of an album. One of this year's best. |
| 3 |  | Metallica
Hardwired... to Self-Destruct
This is the natural evolution of the sound created in their previous album. This time, the songs are relatively shorter, heavier, and overall more approachable. Even though it's 12-songs-long, none of them feel superfluous, and each one can stand on its own, while helping to create and strengthen the overall feel of the album. It's really an excellent album. |
| 4 |  | Anthrax
For All Kings
This album feels like it's by a band who knows what they're doing, and love doing it. The weird mix between heavy and thrash metal just works so well and fits them like a glove. Sounds like they had a blast recording this album, and I'm definitely having a blast listening to it. |
| 5 |  | Sabaton
The Last Stand
I love how Sabaton continues to be creative in their own special way. Most of their albums sound very similar, and yet they all have unique identities. This album is of course no exception. Like every Sabaton album it's got some filler in it but still a great fun time. |
| 6 |  | Insomnium
Winter's Gate
This album stands in somewhat of a stark contrast to the previous one: while SoaDS was a more divided album with each song standing on its own, this one is just one single behemoth of a song. While it is divided into 7 parts - each one having its own identity and unique sound - they all blend together into a single epic piece which gives the album a consistent, uniform feel. Due to the nature of this album, it is sadly one of the least approachable Insomnium records - but it definitely is still an Insomnium album through and through. Great stuff all around. |
| 7 |  | Epica
The Holographic Principle |
| 8 |  | Alter Bridge
The Last Hero
I've already said pretty much everything I could about this band and their albums - they're all pretty good, which sadly, is not enough. |
| 9 |  | Allegaeon
Proponent For Sentience
Fucking fantastic. A perfect blend of technical and melodic death metal mixed with elements of thrash and progrssive. Easily one of the best. |
| 10 |  | Fates Warning
Theories of Flight
I like it a lot. |
| 11 |  | Countless Skies
New Dawn |
| 12 |  | Testament
Brotherhood of the Snake
Pretty disappointing to be honest. It's still Testament, you still have the riffs, and solos, and production is the best imaginable. But none of the songs really click for me. They're all okay, but nothing more. This might be a chronological continuation of their previous album, but far from being an evolution in quality. |
| 13 |  | VOLA
Inmazes
Very solid album. Sometimes heavy, sometimes melodic, always weird and interesting - this is a really good album. Great debut by VOLA. |
| 14 |  | Heaven Shall Burn
Wanderer
Very solid. Liked it from start to finish. Not going to say it's perfect, but I honestly liked it a lot from start to finish. |
| 15 |  | Khemmis
Hunted
This might actually be their best one yet. Loved every second of it. This band is so incredibly consistent, and even though it's not the most diverse album (and not the most diverse band), their unique sound and their profound understanding of creating a compelling, emotional musical pieces are a breath of fresh air on their own right. |
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