#16 - Top of 2016

Marillion - F.E.A.R (earMUSIC)

Marillion return in 2016 with F.E.A.R. (Fuck Everyone And Run), their new album that through a very introverted and pessimistic tone is frighteningly reflective of the the times we live in. Marillion have been on a streak of excellent albums (as can be witnessed by the previous excellent "Sounds that can't be made") and this album is another gem that despite it's pessimistic cynicism, delivers high quality progressive rock music and is truly what is called "Food for Thought". Five-part opener "El Dorado" is very slow to reveal itself and initially comes across as disjointed fragments and only after hearing it multiple times does it start sounding cohesively as part of a whole. Lyrically the album recounts the plight of immigrants, and the roadblocks they face, with a very bitter and cynical edge to it.
`Living in Fear' is a more compact song, pondering about fear and how it creates barriers between people, dividing us. The lyrics are again very pessimistic with the highlight being "There's a price to pay, living in fear is so very dear". "The Leavers" is much more optimistic to its predecessors, packing a great real warmth. The band juxtaposes itself as 'leavers' versus the 'remainers', who lead a normal life, and cannot understand the way of life of the band until a moment, when in concerts, the band and its audience share their experiences and transcend their positions becoming a whole.
`White Paper' is an emotional ballad, with the band sounding personal and relating how personal relationships can be affected in the age of Fear. The album culminates with "The New Kings". This is a truly heavy and venomous piece with anger directed at the current status quo and how everything seems to be dictated by Big Money and concludes with the almost fatalistic  ""Remember a time when you thought that you mattered/Believed in the school song, die for your country/A country that cared for you -- all in it together?/A national anthem you could sing without feeling used or ashamed./If it ever was more than a lie, or some naïve romantic notion/Well, it's all shattered now./Why is nothing ever true?.../On your knees, peasant. You're living for the New King."
The album concludes with "Tommorow's New Country", that tries to aleviate the blow from the new Kings and close the album on a more positive note than the bleakness promised in "The New Kings".
The album is very political and for this it may not appeal to some who want their music to be separate to their political views, but for everyone else that lives in the real world, F.E.A.R. is a thought-provoking piece of progressive rock music that will live on as a testament of the times will live in.

93/100

Below is the audio for "The New Kings" track.

#17 - Top of 2016

Twilight Force - Heroes of Mighty Magic (Nuclear Blast)

"Heroes of Mighty Magic" is the second full-length album by the Swedish power-adventure metallers, Twilight Force and it offers everything that the fans of this genre might want from an album including: exciting keyboard-driven anthems (by Blackwald), clean high-pitched vocals (by frontman Chrileon), catchy&fast guitar solos (by Aerendir and Lynd), excellent musicianship with symphonic-neoclassical elements and the perfect amount of cheesiness, which ranges from the pompous titles of the songs (such as the intro song "Battle of Arcane Might" and "Flight of the Sapphire Dragon") to the pure fantasy-loaded cover of the record which seem like they were inspired by Dungeons & Dragons!
To top this up, the record also includes some impressive guest singers such as Joakim Brodén of Sabaton (in the title-song "Heroes of Mighty Magic") and Rhapsody Of Fire’s Fabio Lione (in "There and Back Again" which is one of the highlights of the album with all its 10-minute might)! Although some listeners might find the album over-the-top, it is an amazing example of true power metal that can make everyone excited and ready to join in an epic adventure!



93/100

Below is the music video for the song "Flight of the Sapphire Dragon".

#18 - Top of 2016

Headspace - All that you fear is gone (Inside Out)

Headspace is a band formed as a collaboration of Adam Wakeman (son of legendary Yes keyboardist, Rick Wakeman) and Damian Wilson (Threshold). Lee Pomeroy (ex-Archive) is on the bass while Pete Rinaldi (ex-Hot Leg) is on the guitars and Adam Falkner in drums. This is the band's second release with the very interesting "I am anonymous" being released back in 2012. Here, the band exceeds their debut, both in songwriting and album cohesiveness and produce an album of veritably contemporary progressive music, with elements from 90s progressive metal and 70s progressive rock mingling effortlessly. What truly separates this album from similar well crafted bands are the vocals of Wilson which truly put this over the top. Songs such as "Polluted Alcohol"(with a southern feel), "Your Life Will Change” or “Killing You With Kindness” are a very good indication of how the band has progressed in terms of songwriting and how they can produce very different songs that still sound as parts of the same whole due to the cohesiveness demonstrated throughout this release. However it is in big epic songs that Headspace truly shine. And this album has two such moments of progressive brilliance, the "The Science Within Us", a Yes-esque epic and "Secular Soul", the album closer. It is there that all elements found throughout the album converge, ideas intermingle and the album reaches its finale with a big emotional bang.

93/100


Below is the music video for "The Science Within Us"

#19 - Top of 2016

Opeth -Sorceress (Nuclear Blast)

In 2016, Opeth released the third album of the new phase of their career, with "Sorceress" following in the footsteps of "Heritage" and "Pale Communion", with a really progressive rock feeling, taking the band further away from its metal roots, while at the same time, paradoxically, bringing some metal elements back! This is a very interesting release in terms of the progress & ongoing transformation of the band, while at the same time their musicianship remains at very high levels! The album kicks off with the interlude "Persephone" which directly leads to the title track, an interesting prog piece with constant changes in pace. It is followed by the mystical and progressive, but equally Opeth-esque "The Wilde Flowers", and while "Will-O-Wisp" is more solemn and personal, "Chrysalis" breaks out in a progressive orgasm of riffs and a very 70s feel, while retaining a more contemporary edge. "Sorceress 2" is more of an acoustic interlude which reprises the themes of the title track flowing into "The Seventh Sojourn", a mostly instrumental track which features some of the most "Opeth" melodies in recent memory. "Strange Brew" starts off slow and quiet and slowly adds some guitar touches before going full prog and then returning to its silent solemnity, coming full circle. "A fleeting Glance" is another masterpiece of blending the quiet with the powerful - with a very emotional solo- as most songs contained here, while "Era", which closes out the album, is a very experiential piece with a very strong chorus part. 
A very good effort, which while not reaching their creative peak in the progressive rock/metal genre (which was probably "Heritage"), is still an incredible musical journey worth exploring by any fan of the progressive scene.


93/100

Below are the official lyric video for the title track and the music video for "Era".

#20 - Top of 2016

Magnum - Sacred Blood, "Divine" Lies (Steamhammer)

Prolific rockers Magnum returned this year with the 19th studio album in their long and successful career, and boy they are still awesome. This album is a continuation of a "second youth" for the band, seeing them release excellent albums in the last years such as Escape from the Shadow Garden. The record starts with the dynamic title-track "Sacred Blood, Divine Lies" which showcases melodic guitar riffs (by Tony Clarkin) and Bob Catley's clear vocals, before moving to the unique power ballad-feeling "Crazy Old Mothers" (with great piano strokes by Mark Stanway)! The is no lack of catchy tunes with examples like the groovy "Gypsy Queen", the drums-based rocker "Princess In Rags (The Cult)" and pounding "Quiet Rhapsody" with its superb guitar solo! The dramatic "Afraid of the Night" (one of the personal highlights of the record!) is another melodic song which mixes perfectly heavy riffs and imposing symphonic elements that is followed by the interesting "A Forgotten Conversation" which starts off with a subtle introduction before giving us some amazing choruses. The album wraps up with the epic storytelling "Twelve Men Wise And Just" (and its upbeat sing-along chorus) and the equally amazing "Don't Cry Baby"! The album is bound to stay in your playlist for a while and can be a great introduction to Magnum's long song-writing career!


93/100

Below is the music video for the song "Crazy Old Mothers".

#21 - Top of 2016

Avatar - Feathers and Flesh (eOne)

The top albums of 2016 continue with the latest release from Avatar, a very unique avant-garde project from Sweden. Avatar have slowly but steadily been building a very devoted fan-base and
creating their personal sound by combining Swedish Death Metal motifs with a "circus" framework, along with very catchy and quirky songs. This is their 6th full-length release and the band continues refining their sound, even more than their previous very successful release (2014's "Hail the Apocalypse"). "Feathers and flesh" kicks off with a short interlude ("Regret") which transforms into "House of Eternal Hunt", a true epic hymn, with lyrics exploring the experience of hunting. The next song "The Eagle has landed" is a much more pompous song, almost sung from within a circus tent, complete with a catchy chorus and over-the-top lyrics.  The album is unrelenting in mood shifts, as "New Land" demonstrates clear 70's prog rock elements with a solemn atmosphere, while its successor "Tooth, Beak and Claw" combines groovy lines with a deep aggression, and an over-the-top chorus. "For the Swarm" is a frantic piece of circus madness, followed by dark and claustrophobic "Fiddler's Farewell". “One More Hill” is a chaotic piece of progressive extreme music, "Black Water" is a downbeat southern tune, while “Night Never Ending” is very upbeat with the vocalist leading the joyous parade. "Pray the Sun Away" is another piece of chaos, at time reminiscent of Messugah and others of soft esoteric prog rock. “When the Snow Lies Red” swings between true epic moments and sick beats that are close to the spirit of early Slipknot. The album closes out with “Raven Wine” and “Sky Burial”. The former fluctuates between sudden attacks and jazz interludes, while the latter is more solemn and quiet as the album comes to a whispering end, in stark contrast to some of its louder moments.

A very interesting and multifaceted release, that needs multiple hearings in order to be fully appreciated, but can still be a fun listen at face value.


93/100 

Below are the music videos for the tracks "For the Swarm", "The Eagle has landed" and "Night Never Ending".

#22 - Top of 2016

Serenity - Codex Atlanticus (Napalm Records)

Moving up the top is a symphonic power prog band from Austria, Serenity, who released their 5th album Codex Atlanticus in 2016! The clear and powerful voice of lead singer, Georg Neuhauser blends perfectly with the metal vibes and the orchestrated elements that are present throughout the album. One of the highlights of the record is the imposing "Iniquity" with its theatrical feeling, amazing symphonic orchestration and captivating melodies as well as the melodic "Caught in a Myth" with its awesome choruses. But this is not all! The record has a range of interesting songs including the powerful "Fate of Light", the piano-based "The Perfect Woman" and the epic "Spirit in the Flesh". It is also enhanced by amazing female guest vocals by Amanda Sommerville and Tasha, that add a more elegant note to the songs with "Sail" being one of the best examples! Overall, Codex Atlanticus is a great show of excellent musical craftsmanship and lyrical themes from an intriguing symphonic power metal band that is definitely worth a listen! 

93/100

Below is the music video for the song "Follow Me".

#23 - Top of 2016

Marauder - Bullethead (Pitch Black Records)

The epic power metal band from Greece are back with their 6th full length album Bullethead and it lives up to the expectations! Equipped with a new vocalist, Nikos Antonoyiannakis (with his imposing and metal voice) but still loyal to playing heavy metal music their way, Marauder start with the heavy and epic battle cry of "Son of Thunder", an amazing intro song with a very Manowar feeling! The record is full of melodic riffs and amazing guitar solos that add to the epicness of the themes of the songs with examples like the rhythmic "Metal Warriors", the quick-paced "Spread Your Wings", "Dark Legion" (with its powerful chorus) and the guitar-based "The Fall". From start to end, the listeners are bound to have tunes and choruses stuck in their mind as the album is packed with infectious grooves and lyrics that are made for headbanging! Marauder manage to deliver all the elements that are expected from a heavy metal album, with a release that is destined to become an awesome sing-along in their live concerts!


92/100

Below is the lyric video for the song "Son of Thunder".

#24 - Top of 2016

Hammers of Misfortune - Dead Revolution (Metal Blade Records)

Hammers of Misfortune, after 5 long years of silence finally return to deliver et another progressive metal/rock masterpiece. with the "Dead Revolution", a much more heavy and dark record  than its predecessor. Classic metal elements are much more prevalent than the prog quality of the double "Fields / Church". Within the 46 minutes that this album lasts, it most closely approximates the sound of previous masterpieces "The Locust Years" and "The August Engine". The riffs,  are heavy but at the same time witty and playful, with no need to drag to distinguish themselves. Keyboards  give a distinct 70's sound and their interplay with the more dry guitar sounds creates a distinct sound rarely heard from any other band.
Despite the uniformity of vocal performances all across the record, if you compare the highly aggressive "Flying Alone" with the folk/doom/epic "Days Of '49", the range and technique are obvious. The best songs of the record are as follows: First, the uplifting title track, in which  the brilliant guitars rage along with the keys to a vocal soundscape/background. Second, the "Here Comes The Sky", a very different composition of this album, with a haunting piano, the excellent vocals of guitarist Leila Abdul-Rauf, and trumpets. Hammers of Misfortune are no longer one of the bands that show us that there may be a future to the heavy metal sound, like ten years ago. They are  the kings of an in-between genre, whereas they might too soft for metallers or too heavy for progsters, but they are truly beloved by those few that have come to know them as the wonderful band that they are. 

92/100

Below is the promo video for the title track

#25 - Top of 2016

Anthrax - For all Kings (Megaforce Records)

Anthrax released in 2016 their second album since the return of Joey Belladona, and while 2011's "Worship Music" sounded at times all over the place due to the many changes in the band line-up during its recording, the new album sounds very focused and an excellent piece of craftsmanship, sounding almost as "the album that could have been", instead of "Sound of White Noise", if Belladona had never left. The album's quality is of a similar calibre to "Sound of White Noise" and combines the maturity of musicianship that Anthrax achieved during the Bush era, with the powerful vocals of Belladona, creating an extremely volatile and equally powerful mix.

The album kicks off with an atmospheric intro, straight into "You Gotta Believe" - a straightforward old-school groovy thrash song that serves as a warning - Anthrax are back! "Monster at the end" is on the more melodic end of the Anthrax, with a trademark sing-along chorus and very emotional vocals by Joey. The album continues with "For all Kings", a very fresh song from the band which combines their trademark sound with a very epic atmosphere and frantic riffing. "Breathing Lightning" brings the speed down and is by far the more radio-friendly track of the album with Metallica-sounding riffs and an alt-rock feel, straight out of the 90s. The next two track "Suzerain" and "Evil Twin" are more straightforward and aggressive, without loosing their catchiness. "Blood Eagle Wings" is where we slow down again, in a very alternative-sounding track, straight out of the Bush era, with the emotional strength that only Joey's voice can give. "Defend Avenge", one of the weakest moments of the album, still manages to impress with its groovy intro, even though the track falls a bit short of its initial promise. "All of them thieves" is a heavy as hell, live firestarter, "The Battle Chose Us" is typical Anthrax mosh pit material, while "Zero Tolerance" is a hell of an aggressive piece, which closes the album with the foot on the pedal, the same way the album started. A pleasant surprise from Anthrax, in an era where the other Big 4 have failed to produce anything of real substance, they are  able to record their best album in decades.

92/100

Below are the music videos from "Monster at the End" and "Blood Eagle Wings"