Has 2015 really flown by so fast? Indeed, it has, and with that sobering realization, it’s time to countdown 100 of the best albums you’ll hear from this year. We’ll start by listing #100 through #76 of 2015’s best – there’s some surprises, new bands emerging, and some old favorites. Check out the list below. Parts 2-4 are coming in the next 10 days.
#100: Monarchy (Rivers Of Nihil)
Progressive modern death metal never sounded so good. Monarchy continues the seasonal concept explored on the debut – this time, it’s summer that’s in the mix. There’s enough diversity to satisfy any kind of metal fan. Seriously, go listen to “Sand Baptism” for proof.
#99: The Smallest Light (Daisyhead)
There’s a deceptive math formula in play when you listen to Daisyhead’s debut full-length, and it goes something like this: Superheaven + Balance And Composure + Basement + x = Daisyhead. The “x”, in this case, is a special kind of honesty in the lyricism that few in the genre can match. Given a little more time, their sophomore record could be special – but for now, this is a tantalizingly good debut album.
#98: VII: Sturm und Drang (Lamb Of God)
You’re most likely aware that this album may not have happened, had things turned out differently for vocalist Randy Blythe. But given his experiences the last few years, LOG had plenty to write about, and plenty to riff about as well. And how about the ferocious track “Embers”, which features Chino Moreno of Deftones fame? Monstrous.
#97: Scar Sighted (Leviathan)
American Black Metal done right. The savage guitar riffs and atmosphere in tracks like “Within Thrall” will pummel you relentlessly in all the best ways.
#96: Another Eternity (Purity Ring)
When one listens to tracks like “Push Pull”, the listener often is made to feel like they are floating peacefully in the sky. Not as great as Shrines, but if you’re looking for a good electronica/pop hybrid, Another Eternity will do nicely.
#95: Four Year Strong (Four Year Strong)
The spirit of Rise Or Die Trying is back after a short hiatus. “I Hold Myself In Contempt” is guaranteed to make you want to dance. Long live easycore.
#94: Dena Mora (Idlehands)
Idlehands may fit comfortably alongside like-minded peers like From Indian Lakes and Circa Survive (the latter, a band they’re going to be compared to for years), but they’re also technically proficient at their instruments. All Idlehands needs now is to hit the road hard and get on some killer tours, because their mix of post-rock, pop sensibilities, and technical progressive rock is going to win over many new ears.
#93: What A Time To Be Alive (Drake & Future)
A Drake and Future mixtape? They mesh incredibly well on tracks like “Jumpman”, but given Drake and Future’s ascendancy to the top of the music world, it’s not much of a surprise. What a time to be alive, indeed.
#92: Polaris (Tesseract)
With vocalist Daniel Tompkins back in tow (for the first time since 2011’s One), Tesseract continues to show why they’re leaders of a crowded progressive metal pack.
#91: New Strength (Kublai Khan)
Kublai Khan is back with another 27 minute burst of honest, pissed-off lyrics – and the metallic heavy hardcore chops to match. You will mosh.
#90: Love, Fear, And The Time Machine (Riverside)
2015’s been a great year for progressive rock, with Steven Wilson, Leprous, and Agent Fresco all releasing strong albums. Riverside is no exception – Love, Fear, And The Time Machine is yet another in a long line of a quality discography that’s worth exploring.
#89: Instant Gratification (Dance Gavin Dance)
Vocalist Tilian Pearson has really come into his own on the newest Dance Gavin Dance record. With the skills of the individual members, you’d think they could plug in any vocalist and make the band work, but much like Jonny Craig and Kurt Travis before him, Tilian continues to add a pop flair that few vocalists in any genre can match. Also, this band is so talented and gifted musically that even non-fans should be able to appreciate the rapid-fire guitar licks and jazz fusion influences. A gem.
#88: Harmlessness (TWIABPAIANLATD)
If you’re not touched by “January 10, 2014”, you probably have no soul. This might be the most emotionally poignant track TWIABPAIANLATD have ever written, and they’ve crafted a career out of those types of songs.
#87: Coma Ecliptic (Between The Buried And Me)
BTBAM up the ante with more obvious King Crimson, Yes, and Pink Floyd influences. Upon first listen, you might think the band morphed into Dream Theater – but let the comparisons ends there, and listen to another solid album from one of progressive rock/metal’s leading lights.
#86: Sol Invictus (Faith No More)
Faith No More’s first album in almost 2 decades, picking up right where the eclectic rock (?!?!?!) band left off. Seriously, it’s amazing when bands like Failure and Faith No More don’t feel dated after long hiatuses. The creative juices are clearly flowing in Mike Patton’s head, and it’s not likely they’ll ever stop.
#85: Colour Blind (Seaway)
Canada keeps churning out new bands, and Seaway’s debut full-length Colour Blind is a blast of energetic pop-punk that’s likely to see them ascend the ranks relatively quickly. A summer stint on the Vans Warped Tour was incredibly well-received, and one would think that if they were on the bill for 2016, their crowds would see a sizable increase, especially with new material in tow.
#84: Life’s Not Out To Get You (Neck Deep)
Want to talk about bands that made a huge improvement in less than 2 years? Neck Deep’s debut record certainly gained them attention (and some crazy tour/show opportunities), but ultimately missed the mark a little. Flash forward to mid-2015, and they’re playing shows with All Time Low, playing to massive crowds during the summer, and pushing out memorable songs like “Can’t Kick Up The Roots”. When we talk about the pop-punk boom of the 2010’s, Neck Deep will be near the top of that list. Mark it down.
#83: At.Long.Last.A$ap (A$ap Rocky)
Opening track “Holy Ghost” is one of the strongest tracks of the year, and it also samples a Lucero song. Breaking away slightly from his previous material, A$ap Rocky pursues a mixture of rap/hip-hop/gospel psychedelia that will leave you both in a haze upon its completion – and wanting more.
#82: Here Comes The Sun (Klone)
Klone’s first album since 2012, Here Comes The Sun, is a rousing success that sees the band mixing their more progressive elements with post-rock and ambient passages, not unlike Porcupine Tree and Riverside (especially the latter). It helps that they’re led by passionate vocals and attention to detail.
#81: Kiska (Kiska)
Who is Kiska? Recently signed by Spartan Records, their debut full-length conjures up the greats of 90’s post-hardcore/space rock, like Hum, Failure, Fugazi, and Quicksand. One of the best debuts of 2015.
#80: Connector (I The Mighty)
It’s not quite as fiery and aggressive (relatively speaking) as Satori, but it’s more atmospheric, which bodes well for their future success and output. That throat-shredding, evocative outro in “(No) Faith In Fate”? A glorious demonstration of Brent Walsh’s vocal abilities. Recommended alt-rock that borders on progressive and experimental.
#79: Beauty Behind The Madness (The Weeknd)
Sometimes you just have to face the facts as an avid fan of music – The Weeknd isn’t going back to the holy trinity (trilogy) of mixtapes that was House Of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes Of Silence. The 3 mixtapes were a hazy blend of psychedelic, chill-out, trip-hop influenced after-party anthems that were both huge critical successes, while simultaneously setting the stage for 2013’s Kiss Land. Unfortunately, while it definitely wasn’t a bad album, it just wasn’t as good as The Trilogy (tracks like “The Professional notwithstanding).
Beauty Behind The Madness is the real coming out party for Abel Tesfaye. It’s jam packed with tracks like “The Hills”, “Often”, and megahit “Can’t Feel My Face”, which are still topping charts globally. He’s even selling out arena dates on a winter tour. Like Kiss Land, there’s still some filler here near the end of the album. Critics will say it’s the ultimate pop sellout album. And they may be right, to an extent – but let’s be real here, Abel Tesfaye was headed here all along. It’s not like he abandoned the throbbing beats and atmosphere of “The Morning” along the way – that attention to detail is still evident here, it’s just glossed over with a pop sheen.
#78: Dealer (Foxing)
A followup that matches The Albatross in the best possible ways, while also being slightly more subdued. Listen to “Eiffel” if you’re looking for emotionally gripping, beautiful songs.
#77: The Worst Part Of Life (In Archives)
It takes a lot for an EP to make this list, as a separate list is being made for them. That just goes to show the effect UK melodic hardcore upstarts In Archives have had on the music scene this year. They veer more towards the hardcore end of the spectrum, and they play an emotionally-charged brand of hardcore that doesn’t shy away from either melody or hard-hitting, gripping lyrics.
#76: Gunship (Gunship)
Gunship features 2 members of Fightstar (who you’ll see later on this list), and it’s a decidedly 80’s-influenced project that’s a throwback to a time period where analog electronics and synthesizers seemed futuristic in nature. It’s fused with pop sensibilities that highlight the obvious talent the group has. Also, how damned cool is the music video for “Tech Noir”?
