New to me in 2016
Didn't hear a great deal of new music this year, and was generally underwhelmed by what I did (Deftones and Future of the Left especially), but I did hear a good bunch of bands that for one reason or another I had pretty much ignored when they were new, and realised that I realy shouldn't have! |
| 1 |  | Mudvayne
L.D. 50
One viewing of Dig way back when had me writing them off as Slipknot wannabees. Came to it this year fairly randomly, and had my expectations obliterated. The more I listen, the more it becomes one of my out and out favourite albums. |
| 2 |  | Strapping Young Lad
City
Following his turn in The Wildhearts in the mid nineties I picked up a couple of Devin's solo albums, but never ventured towards his heavier side. Had this given to me this year, and it became one of the few albums that I listened to back to back the first time of listening. Hasn't dated at all in the almost 20 years since it was released. |
| 3 |  | Ninjaspy
Pi Nature
Where to begin? Ska-metal? Reggae-hardcore? Death-jazz? Ninjaspy blend any number of musical styles together seamlessly, without coming across as gimmicky for a single moment. |
| 4 |  | Knives Out!
Black Mass Hysteria
Been a fan of Todd Smith for a while, but the numerous references towards metalcore put me off this particular project. Was loaned their new album this year, which led me back to this. Left In The Lurch feels a bit unbalanced, but BMH is solid all the way through with a couple of genuinely fantastic songs to boot. Wouldn't call it metalcore though! |
| 5 |  | Nothingface
Violence
The nu-metal band I never heard as a nu-metal devotee back in the day, but truth be told it is not really a nu-metal album anyway. The hardcore elements back up Matt Holt's screams brilliantly to create a more alternative metal feel for the album all of its own. |
| 6 |  | Tub Ring
Fermi Paradox
Another wonderfully eclectic mix of styles that come together to make one magnificent whole(!). Quite excited by the prospect of discovering the rest of their back catalogue, never mind the promise of some kickstarted new material soon. |
| 7 |  | Circus of Dead Squirrels
The Pop Culture Massacre
Crazy as hell electronics drive this industrial tinged metal, with a huge feeling of some kind of circus from hell. Love the overall groove of the album, but the singer's voice is a little unsatisfying to me at the moment. |
| 8 |  | Cop Shoot Cop
Ask Questions Later
Don't love this as much as the rest on this list, but as a massive fan of the now sadly defunct Exit_International it is amazing to hear something that was clearly a huge influence on their sound. |
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