1) Metallica, Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (Blackened Recordings)

Picking a new Metallica album as my favorite of 2016 might seem a bit of a too easy choice…. But it’s just sssooo good! Sure, it would be accurate to say that Hardwired… to Self-Destruct combines the best elements of Kill ‘Em All and Load/Re-Load (anyone else use the pun Load ‘Em All yet?), but that’s too simple of a description. That’s why  I’d go further by arguing this album finds Metallica combining the influences that helped shape Kill ‘Em All with more of a modern flare to create their most enjoyable album in years.

Track Pick: “Now That We’re Dead”

Honorary Mentions:

Devin Townsend Project, Transcendence (InsideOut)

The Dillinger Escape Plan, Dissociation (Party Smasher Inc./Cooking Vinyl)

Korn, The Serenity of Suffering (Roadrunner)

Opeth, Sorceress (Moderbolaget/Nuclear Blast)

Every Time I Die, Low Teens (Epitaph)

Holy Grail, Times of Pride and Peril (Prosthetic)

Russian Circles, Guidance (Sargent House)

Toothgrinder, Nocturnal Masquerade (Spinefarm)

Volbeat, Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie (Republic)

Hellbenders, Peyote (Self-Released)