There were a lot of things that sucked about the year 2016, but it wasn’t a bad year for music. Especially if you are an Old School Metalhead who was serious when he or she said they were METAL FOR LIFE. Three of the big Four thrash bands from the 80’s released new quality music. I didn’t think I would ever say this, but even the new Metallica didn’t completely suck. Testsament, Death Angel and Metal Church were also among the old school acts that released great new albums. I had some difficulty narrowing the list down. Here are ten songs that came out in 2016 that made the year suck a little less.
Gojira: Stranded
From what I understand, the newest Gojira record (Magma) is a bit of a departure for the band. The kind of musical detour that puts Metalheads against Metalheads in internet death matches. I don’t have much stake in this game since Magma is the first Gojira record I bothered to listen all the way through. What I do know, is that I REALLY like the song “Stranded.” It gives off an early 90’s Post Hardcore vibe which agrees with some of the stuff I’ve been into lately, like the debut from Miami’s Wrong which CRUSHES ASS. The riff in this song is equal parts noisy and heavy and it warms my blackened heart.
Anthrax: Breathing Lightning
“Breathing Lightning” reminds me a little of the John Bush era. Where Anthrax would write a song or two per album that could get played in contemporary radio while still sounding ‘Metal’ enough to keep (most) Anthrax fans from crying sell out. This led to some interesting material like “Catharsis” of Volume 8, “Safe Home” of We’ve come for you all, “Nothing” of Stomp 442 and “Only” of Sound of White Noise. Of those songs “Only” was the only (haha) one that became anything close to a hit. Which is a shame because those other songs were pretty good too. “Breathing Lighting” with it’s crunchy guitar riffs and big chorus has the potential to be a ‘hit single.’ If I had any kind of pull on Clear Channel, I mean I heart Radio I would put this song on heavy rotation instead of Five Finger Death Punch or Hell Yeah.
Abbath: Winterbane
It sucks that Abbath and his Immortal band mates parted under unfriendly circumstances but what doesn’t suck is Abbath’s debut solo record. Abbath made a record that was true to his Norwegian Black Metal roots without sounding like shit. Even the Priest cover (Riding the Wild Wind) was solid. If all you know about Abbath are the endless internet memes that have used their likeness give this album a chance.
D Generation: 21st Century Blues
To me D Generation was what Motley Crue would have sounded like if they were based out of NY instead of LA and if every member in the band worshiped Johnny Thunders instead of just Nikki Sixx. For a brief moment in the 90’s, Rock critics were championing D Generation as the next big thing. But the hype did not translated into record sales. Which sucks since I loved them three records they made back in the day. I’m glad singer Jesse Malin was able to have a bit of a career as an indi singer songwriter but it wasn’t the same. I’m very glad Mr. Malin and the rest of D Generation released a new album “Nothing is Anywhere” some 17 years after going their separate ways. “Nothing is Anywhere” mixes old school punk attitude with bluesy Stones inspired swagger and introspective singer songwriter angst.
Suicidal Tendencies: Living for Life
I’m still mad that Slayer fired Dave Lombardo but kudos to Suicidal Psycho Myko Muir for giving Dave a steady gig. He also wasted no time getting Lombardo in the studio to record a new Suicidal record. What sets apart Lombardo from the army of extreme metal drummers he influenced comes down to feel and groove. You know, the things that separate a drummer from a drum machine. Lombardo does wonders with Suicidal’s new material. Adding enough flair to make the songs pop but without overdoing it. He takes what would have otherwise been an o.k. Suicidal record into being pretty damn good.
Ghost: Square Hammer
Those bastards did it again. Last year, their single “Cirice” got stuck in my head for months. This year it was “Square Hammer” the one original composition in their otherwise covers EP Popestar. The song does sound a little poppier than the average Ghost song while still retaining its trademark spooky vibe and Satanic Lyrics. I’ve listened to this on you tube more times than I care to count. ARE YOU READY TO STAND RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW FOR THE DEVIL!!!
Pretty Reckless: Mad Love
I’m glad the Pretty Reckless are around. To us old timers, they might not be doing anything particularly new but this music is not meant for us old farts. IT’S FOR THE KIDS!! Taylor Momsem and her crew are doing their best to educate the youth of today on the evil powers of Rock N Roll. For that we should applaud them. Taylor Momsen has gotten a lot of shit for being a former child actress but she attacks the stage like the illegitimate love child of Stevie Nicks and Alice Cooper. She also sings it like she means it and that works for me. On their newest album, “Who you selling For” the band trade the contemporary 80’s metal sound of their previous record “Going To Hell” for something closer to 70’s Rock. The music is still dark and aggressive when it needs to be, but the band seems to be going for a blusier more organic sound. There is also a bit of a motown influence on Wicked city and dash of laid back funk on the closing number Mad Love.
Iggy Pop: American Valhalla
David Bowie is gone. The old Dum Dum Boys are busy with their great gig in the sky. But The World’s Forgotten Boy still wants to “live a little bit longer.” Iggy Pop hooked up with Kyuss/Queens of the Stone Age guitarist Josh Holme to make an album in which they channel the spirit of the two records Bowie and Pop did in Berlin through Homme’s guitar sound. The end result being Post Pop Depression, one of the best records Iggy has done as a solo artist.
Entombed A.D. Hubris Fall
Dead Dawn provides plenty of the dirty, raw Death N Roll that people come to expect from this Swedish Metal institution. What I didn’t expect was for Entombed AD to bust out with a ‘ballad’. To be fair, I am using the term ‘ballad’ loosely. “Hubris Down” is closer to “Fade To Black” than say “Open Arms.” It’s also pretty heavy and doomy offering a slight change of pace from the rest of the record without derailing it into cheesy territory.
Barry Gibb: Blowin A Fuse
With all the high profile musician deaths in 2016, it’s nice to know that former Bee Gee Barry Gibb is indeed ‘staying alive.’ He even managed to release a solo record called “In The Now.” Gibb’s trademark falsetto and songwriting skills are still on point. The title track can hold its own next to old school Bee Gee jams such as “Nights on Broadway” and “Jive Talking.” There is a tribute to his deceased brothers and former bandmates called “End of The Rainbow” that will have you feeling things weather you want to or not. But in between all the silly love songs, light funk and mature sounding stuff Gibb also manages to rock out a little on “Grand Illusion” and “Blowin A Fuse.”
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