Articles : Best albums of 2016 (so far)

Some of Metal Obsession’s writers have put together their top albums of 2016 (so far). Here they are in no particular order.

Mitch Booth

Ihsahn – Arktis

This might be a preliminary list but nothing will top this in 2016. All of Ihsahn’s experimentation finally pays off in an album that despite each track being something different – whether it’s the classic heavy metal of “Until I Too Dissolve” or the sax driven “Crooked Red Line” – all works as one brilliant album. And “Celestial Violence” wins as one of the most powerful songs of the year; what a build up! There’s not a dull moment. Listen to “Celestial Violence”

Cetacean – Breach

Between this and Ihsahn you can tell I’m a bit of a sucker for saxophone in metal. Breach is three long tracks of brilliant post-metal/sludge. Spot on production means the big riffs are intense but the softer moments are stunningly beautiful. There’s a whole lot of variety in here to keep things interesting too: the frantic explosion in the latter half of “Earth is a Whisper” being a highlight for sure. Listen to “Relationships Deterioriate”

Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas

There is no way this collaboration could have gone wrong. Cult of Luna have their sound perfected at this stage of their career and while Vertikal was perhaps a tad samey, bringing in someone with such a unique voice as Julie Christmas is a great way to make their sound fresh again. It’s just so good to hear her voice over some powerful guitars again. Listen to “Chevron”

Mourning Beloveth – Rust & Bone

For an album that borders Euro melodeath and doom, Rust & Bone is an incredibly relaxing album. Musically it’s an eyes-closed bliss-out kind of album, and the soaring vocals are incredible. It loses steam with the acoustic closer but the two central tracks before it are more than enough to make up for it. Listen to “The Mantle Tomb”

Woman Is The Earth – Torch Of Our Final Night

Atmospheric black metal that just hits all the right nights, nailing the balance between black metal aggression and something more beautiful. Listen to “Sorrow and the Floods”

Jonathon Besanko

Omnipresence — Thanatophobia

Perhaps more so than any other album this year so far, Thanatophobia, the debut album from Melbourne’s Omnipresence is the one that has not left my mind. Omnipresence aren’t so simply a death metal band as they are an experimental outfit dealing with harsh existential topics; implementing them in both the misanthropic lyrics and music to equal effect. The creativity, imagery, and auras of dread this album projects is a thing of beauty. Many bands have dealt with topics as this before, but few in recent years feel as fresh as this does. Featuring broad local talent, Thanatophobia is an honest and haunting masterwork from band mastermind, Zebådee Scott (Myridian). Check out: “Universal Consciousness”

Avantasia — Ghostlights

Avantasia are a band I have loved for a number of years; being, in fact, the band that introduced me to power metal. Sadly, following 2008’s The Scarecrow, they sadly fell a bit by the wayside in terms of the music they were releasing. It is beyond pleasing to say then that Ghostlights has finally — at least for me — recaptured the magic of their early Metal Opera days. Frequent collaborators Michael Kiske, Jørn Lande, et al., all make their return here; with Ghostlights also welcoming newcomers Dee Snider, Marco Hietala, and more. And it is all the better for it. Thematically a sequel to 2013’s The Mystery of Time, Tobias Sammet feels both livelier and more daring here, and the overall production is incredible; as is seen in songs such as the Meat Loaf-inspired “Mystery of a Blood Red Rose” and the epic “Let the Storm Descend Upon You”. This is Avantasia re-energised, revitalised, and at the top of their game. Check out: “Mystery of a Blood Red Rose”

Cryptic Abyss — Feed ‘Em To The Sea

Melbourne’s Cryptic Abyss have come a long way in a short space of time. In only two short years since their debut EP, Into the Abyss, and four since they first surfaced on the scene, Cryptic Abyss have grown from Pantera-esque groove metal staples to hardened, groove-laden death metal machines. This darker, more refined style they’ve found with their debut album, Feed ‘Em To The Sea, sees the band push for a more aggressive and unfettered approach. Yet all without losing the groove-heavy riffs they’re known for. The music is sharper, demonstrates the band’s maturing lyrical talents, and comes with a hint to their less serious side with the more light-hearted tracks, “Let’s Get Smashed” and “Piggin”. Expect to find here too some of the strongest death growls from an Aussie band today. Check out: “Unblinking Eye”

Primal Fear — Rulebreaker

Since being introduced to Primal Fear earlier this year, their most recent studio effort Rulebreaker is an album I’ve returned to regularly since first reviewing it back in February. Whilst the album already had a pretty profound impact on me from the get-go, the various elements to this record (from the heavy metal anthems, to the speed metal tracks, and then to the quieter ballads) sweeten over time like a fine wine. Rulebreaker is an album that only gets better with each new listen, and, as I’d noted in my review, while it could be considered standard fare for the genre, it also showcases a band who have greatly matured with their music since their inception. A band who have better yet taken those experiences over the years and used them to forge a record that never comes across as dull, but rather an exercise in how to make vibrant, entertaining heavy metal. In Primal Fear’s own words, “Metal is forever!” Check out: “The End Is Near”

InnerWish — InnerWish

A new discovery for me, as I do with many of my bands, I found Greece’s InnerWish via YouTube. One of the better discoveries I’ve had in a while! Upon looking into them further, I discovered InnerWish have been at this since 1995, with their 2016 self-titled album being their fifth studio effort released. InnerWish is their first album featuring their current vocalist George Eikosipentakis, after their long-time vocalist Babis Alexandropoulos left in 2011 to pursue other interests. It is also the first with new drummer Fragiskos Samoilis, who replaced Terry Moros in 2010. The two new members, with Eikosipentakis in particular, have elevated InnerWish’s music to another height. His range is astounding, and the album itself is the perfect blend between melodic, symphonious, and heavy. There isn’t a stale moment, and the record just continues to build and impress throughout. The band primarily utilise Christian themed lyrics, but it is never preachy, so it shouldn’t put off many. One of the more unique and engaging power metal releases of 2016 thus far. Highly recommended. Check out: “Modern Babylon”

Martin Michea

Elm Street – Knock ‘Em Out With a Metal Fist

I actually just started listening to this album yesterday, but it’s had such an impact on me already that I wanted to include it anyway. I feel that the album title really represents the attitude of the album as a whole, and I can see myself really falling in love with this album over time. My initial reaction is that “Face the Reaper” could well be on my top 10 songs of 2016 list at the end of the year. Other highlights so far include “Heavy Mental”, “Heart Racer”, and “Kiss the Canvas”. Check out “Kiss the Canvas”

Volbeat – Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie

A no-brainer. I was slightly disappointed to begin with, but the album is a grower for sure. I anticipated it to be the album of 2016, and it will most likely be just that, unless something truly epic comes along before December. Check out “The Devil’s Bleeding Crown”

Babymetal – Metal Resistance

I love Babymetal. I love all the Babymetal haters. The hate is hilarious and I truly believe that a band such as Babymetal is needed in a scene that takes itself way too seriously most of the time. Still waiting for their first tour over here. It will be epic. Check out “Karate”

Amon Amarth – Jomsviking

Jomsviking might not be Amon Amarth’s best album to date, and the concept might be quite lacklustre/cliché, but the songs are brilliant for the most part and the album artwork is absolutely phenomenal too. Check out “At Dawn’s First Light”

Lacuna Coil – Delirum 

Surprise of the year. Holy-god-damn, what an album. It feels like Lacuna Coil decided to revive a career that I wasn’t aware needed it. I have never been a big fan of the band in the past, but Delirium really captured me and the upcoming tour will be one of the year’s best I’m sure. Check out “The House of Shame”

Be’lakor – Vessels

The last two albums on my list are still so new that I was hesitant about including them as they’re based on mostly predictions of how great they will end up being. Be’lakor have created a large amount of buzz surrounding their new album Vessels, and it’s easy to see why their fans have waited so anxiously. The production couldn’t possibly be any better and I really feel like they can step up next to Ne Obliviscaris as one of Australia’s extreme metal giants in the near future. Check out “Roots to Sever”

Anwar Rizk

Be’lakor – Vessels

This will no doubt be on a lot of people’s lists this year. I’m going to put it out there right now and say this is album of the year for me. Vessels is simply a masterpiece which needs its own wing in a national museum. It’s that good! I was given a sneak peak of the album during the album’s mastering, and instantly fell in love. While many long time listeners may notice some changes, fundamentally, it’s Be’lakor; with the entire album accentuating sublime musicianship and songwriting. It’s atmospheric, heavy, and, most importantly, an album which needs to be experienced in its entirety to fully comprehend and appreciate its mastery. Check out “An Ember’s Arc”

Abbath – Abbath

A perfect example when one person doesn’t need the name of his former band to further his influential legacy on heavy music. Abbath delivers a roller coaster of an album which expands the realms of black metal music, adding plentiful groove, blast beats and chunky riffs. The album steps outside the comfort zone of the black metal genre and, in turn, makes for one interesting and entertaining album. Check out “Winterbane”

Megadeth – Dystopia

Megadeth have stayed true to their fundamental thrash metal roots, and their distinctive political lyrics continue to question the establishment. Dystopia is just another notch on Megadeth’s heavily fortified battle jacket, intimidating and surprising many after all these years. The addition of Kiko Loureiro really brings out a strong emphasis of speed on the album. Say what you will about Dave Mustaine’s professional outlook, there is no denying he’s as angry and politically driven as ever, which continues to accentuate through his straight forward lyrics and his guitar wielding authority. Check out “The Threat Is Real”

Avantasia – Ghostlights

Avantasia returns with their most ambitious and entertaining album to date. I found this album to be more upbeat and entertaining than its predecessor. Ghostlights hits all the right notes and brings on board another cast of steller musicians, including: Dee Sinder, Jørn Lande, Michael Kiske and Geoff Tate, among others. While the album has a much darker tone than any of the releases before it, it still seems captures a high spirit which is eclipsed by the album’s amazing production value. Check out “Ghostlights”

Raubtier – Bärsärkagång

I’m sure this album has flown under the radar of a lot of people this year. Raubtier are a mixed bag when it comes to defining their genre. They have a diverse influence ranging from power, thrash and industrial metal with elements of Neue Deutsche Härte. Think Rammstien or Oomph! before them. The album’s infectious grooves cobbled together with electronica make it rather hard to sit still when listening. I doubt a lot of people will find the album as interesting and entertaining as I do, but I strongly recommend checking it out if you like Swedish lyrics being hurled into your ears with an eclectic influence of music. Check out “Den Sista Kulan”

Prarthana Venunathan

Gojira – Magma

No doubt about this one being at the top of my list. The French death metallers from Bayonne finally released some new music after their monumental album, L’enfant Sauvage, back in 2012. Magma signifies an evolution and a new direction for Gojira, one impacted by personal experience and emotion which undoubtedly reflects in their music. Right from the opening tones of “The Shooting Star,” it is evident that Magma opens a new chapter for the band. Musically, there is so much going on that it takes a few listens to digest all the elements that you don’t usually hear in a Gojira track: Joe’s haunting vocals, the pleasing rhythmic melodies that guide some of the tracks, to the more Gojira-esque riffs and passionate blast beats being belted out by Mario. This album is so varied in nature, it’s amazing, especially when you hear tracks like “Low Lands” or “Liberation” which are completely new sounds for the band. Groove-laden, touching and a beautiful aural experience, Gojira take you on an enlightening journey with the sounds of Magma. Check out “Silvera”

Rotting Christ – Rituals

Rotting Christ, veterans of their extreme brand of metal, have composed a series of great tracks on their latest offering Rituals which will take you into a dark, mystical world. Firm believers in simplicity, they have not only created what I believe is a masterpiece of an astounding, versatile nature but created something that consolidates their creativity and passion towards combining extreme music with the beauty of ancient cultures and the occult. Despite the use of several languages on Rituals, the Greek metal overlords prove that their belief in music as being the greatest language of all. The use of ancient languages such as Ancient Greek, Latin, Sanskrit and Mayan is just one of the many reasons I respect Sakis Tolis as a composer, musician and person – everything is done straight from the heart. His band of warriors bring their best on Rituals as every track tells a story, one that will leave you wanting more. Check out “Χ Ξ Σ”

Mesarthim – Pillars

Say what you want, my love for this anonymous band is ardent and eternal, I have no idea who these people are but they are very, very good. There’s no beating around the bush for Mesarthim, they just get straight to it. I still find it hard to describe the kind of music they play but the closest I can get to is weird atmospheric cosmic black metal (with a side of post-rock). While “Isolate” has more of electronic elements in it, “Pillars” gets heavier and more instrument-centric. The vocals are scattered but when they come about, it’s nothing short of strong and harsh and complements the instrumental arragements oh so perfectly. The gloomy and ambient soundscapes will induce spine chills while sending you into a complete trance. It’s 37 minutes of magnificent, otherworldly layers that will captivate the listener throughout. Check out “Pillars”

Sheidim – Shrines Of The Void

Black metal from Spain – a rather unlikely country for such music – but Sheidim are incredible. ‘Shrines of the Void’ is sinister, creative, and reflects the sheer professionalism and skill of these Spainiards. It could just be my addiction to Behemoth, but the influences are strong. Sheidim bring forth strong, dark elements in their music; providing an intense listening experience. There’s a perfect balance between the sombre, gloomy sections and the sudden jolts of pure heaviness with addictive transitions to make things more interesting. Albeit not a revelation in terms of musical style or genre if you will, Sheidim do have a solid sound and one that is unique. Right from “First Poison”, you acknowledge a certain weirdness in the rhythms and odd time signatures among other things that made their music stand out for me this year. They may be black metal but there’s that extra something that Sheidim have that I haven’t heard elsewhere just yet. Check out “First Poison”

Inverloch – Distance|Collapsed

Discovery of the year for me would be these lads from Melbourne. I’m still processing how good Inverloch sound on this album because it really does stand out in more ways than one. An old school death vibe interwoven with the goodness of funeral doom metal to create a ridiculously addictive and glorious sound. What struck me the most about Inverloch is their ability to combine the two genres which are poles apart. They pull it off effortlessly on Distance|Collapsed, providing the listener with relentlessly crushing riffs and harsh vocals that are balanced by a doom-laden atmosphere of slow chugs that keep you wanting more before the blast beats rattle your brain again. The production also adds to the majesty of this album. One of my favourites this year. Check out “Distance Collapsed”

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