Hello, and welcome to Decibel Geek. For the uninitiated, we are a hard rock/heavy metal website and weekly podcast. Decibel Geek began as a weekly podcast presented by hosts Chris Czynszak and Aaron Camaro and has grown into what you find here today. Alongside the weekly issued, absolutely free podcast episodes, our website features photograph galleries from live events around the world as well a direct feed to our YouTube channel, DBGTV. Our writing team encompasses some 30 authors and contributors from Sweden, UK, Japan, USA, and Canada. While you’re here feel free to look around, listen to a podcast, read some album reviews or watch some live concert videos. Feel free to share and let us know what you think.
With our staff having grown by quite a bit throughout 2016, we were able to welcome new writers from around the globe to the team. In 2016, Decibel Geek also celebrated its 5th birthday and a podcast milestone of 250 episodes. The weekly podcast reached new highs in the iTunes podcast charts, expanding the audience through exciting and informative weekly episodes and entertaining special guests such as Gary Corbett, Wallygator & The Meister, The Rockin’ Donkey, Rachel Bolan, Michael Wagener, Alexi Lalas, Tyson Leslie, Joshua Toomey, Greg Mangus, Crazy Joe Renda, Ken Mills, Christopher Williams, Brian Davis, Brandon Gibbs, Jimmy Pardo, Thee Rock n Roll Residency, Steve McClure, Gregory Muse, Ian Wadley and, of course, VV!
As the year draws to a close, each of the staff here at Decibel Geek Podcast/Website has compiled their list of the top ten albums, the best of 2016. This year saw a whopping amount of strong releases issued in every sub-genre. With the widely varied tastes and interests of our staff, you can imagine our top ten is quite widespread. Each of the staff submitted their personal top ten (each of which appears below) and the bands were assigned points depending on where they ranked in that particular list (1 point for #10 and 10 points for #1).
The points were then tallied up to provide the collective top ten from all of us here at Decibel Geek Podcast. We decided that including EPs was acceptable, however, we discounted Live albums and Greatest Hits collections. Many of these albums have seen reviews here on Decibel Geek and those links appear next to the album title in this list. To purchase the album simply click the album’s title and you’ll be spirited to Amazon.
While we might not always agree on these things, one thing’s for sure: we all love music! Due to some of my colleague’s picks, I personally, have been inspired to revisit some albums that did not make the cut for me, as well as explore some new ones. We hope that we can turn you onto some of the great efforts of 2016 if you haven’t been already.
Please support these bands and all of your favorite artists to keep the music alive and flowing, by clicking on the included links to purchase. With some already exciting releases on the horizon for 2017, don’t forget to check out our “Upcoming Release” section updated regularly and follow Decibel Geek on Social Media: iTunes / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Instagram
DECIBEL GEEK PODCAST’S COLLECTIVE TEN BEST OF 2016:
(Click on the blue album name for Amazon.com purchase link)
10 – Monster Truck – Sittin’ Heavy (24 pts)- 09 – Primal Fear – Rulebreaker (25 pts) (Album Review)
- 08 – Tygers of Pan Tang – Tygers of Pan Tang (27 pts) (Album Review)
- 07 – Q5 – New World Order (29 pts) (Album Review)
- 06 – Dead Daisies – Make Some Noise (30 pts) (Album Review)
- 05 – Crobot – Fat City (32 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – Volbeat – Seal the Deal & Let’s Boogie (33 pts) (Album Review)
- 03 – Metallica – Hardwired…To Self-Destruct (37 pts)(Album Review)
- 02 – Anthrax – For All Kings (40 pts) (Album Review)
- 01 – Megadeth – Dystopia (53 pts) (Album Review)
INDIVIDUAL STAFF’S TOP TEN PICKS:
Colin “Starchild” Francis (staff writer – UK)
- 10 – Vega – Who We Are (2 pts) (Album Review)
- 09 – Phantom 5 – Phantom 5 (3 pts) (Album Review)
- 08 – The New Low – Continuance (4 pts) (Album Review)
- 07 – Billy Talent – Afraid of Heights (5 pts) (Album Review)
- 06 – Monte Pittman – Inverted Grasp of Balance (6 pts) (Album Review)
- 05 – DevilDriver – Trust No One (7 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – Airbourne – Breakin’ Outta Hell (Moves up to #3 due to disqualification-8 pts) (Album Review)
- 03 – KISS – KISS Rocks Vegas (Disqualified) (0 pts)
- 02 – Dead Daisies – Make Some Noise (9 pts) (Album Review)
- 01 – Metallica – Hardwired…To Self-Destruct (10 pts) (Album Review)
Read Colin’s Full Top Ten Article
Adam Cox (staff writer / FB Guru – UK)
- 10 – Prong – X-No Absolutes (1 pts) (Album Review)
- 09 – Shotgun Justice – State of Desolation (2 pts) (Album Review)
- 08 – Rizon – Power Plant (3 pts) (Album Review)
- 07 – Affiance – Gaia (EP) (4 pts) (Album Review)
- 06 – Gojira – Magma (5 pts) (Album Review)
- 05 – Killer Bee – Eye In The Sky (6 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – The Agonist – Five (7 pts) (Album Review)
- 03 – Red Sun Rising – Polyester Zeal (8 pts)
- 02 – Beartooth – Aggressive (9 pts)
- 01 – Sonata Arctica – The Ninth Hour (10 pts) (Album Review)
Read Adam’s Full Top Ten Article
Shawn “Animalize” Irwin (photographer/staff writer – Canada)
- 10 – Sirenia – Dim Days of Dolor (1 pts)
- 09 – Pretty Maids – Kingmaker (2 pts)
- 08 – Epica – The Holographic Principle (3 pts) (Album Review)
- 07 – Primal Fear – Rulebreaker (4 pts) (Album Review)
- 06 – Delain – Moonbathers (5 pts) (Album Review)
- 05 – Shakra – High Noon (6 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – Crystal Ball – Déjà-Voodoo (7 pts) (Album Review)
- 03 – Nordic Union – Nordic Union (8 pts) (Album Review)
- 02 – Avantasia – Ghostlights (9 pts) (Album Review)
- 01 – Sabaton – The Last Stand (10 pts)
Read Shawn’s Full Top Ten Article
Andy Lafon (staff writer – USA)
- 10 – Last in Line – Heavy Crown (1 pts) (Album Review)
- 09 – Metal Church – XI (2 pts) (Album Review)
- 08 – Tremonti – Dust (3 pts) (Album Review)
- 07 – Q5 – New World Order (4 pts) (Album Review)
- 06 – Metallica – Hardwired…To Self-Destruct (5 pts = 15 pts)(Album Review)
- 05 – Megadeth – Dystopia (6 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – Eden’s Curse – Cardinal (7 pts) (Album Review)
- 03 – Primal Fear – Rulebreaker (8 pts = 12 pts) (Album Review)
- 02 – Tyketto – Reach (9 pts)
- 01 – Michael Sweet – One Sided War (10 pts) (Album Review)
Jason “Bakko” Bakken (staff writer/photographer – USA)
- 10 – Adelita’s Way – Getaway (1 pts)
- 09 – Asking Alexandria – The Black (2 pts)
- 08 – Anthrax – For All Kings (3 pts) (Album Review)
- 07 – Dead Daisies – Make Some Noise (4 pts = 13 pts) (Album Review)
- 06 – The Pretty Reckless – Who You Selling For? (5 pts)
- 05 – Volbeat – Seal the Deal & Let’s Boogie (6 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – Megadeth – Dystopia (7 pts = 13 pts) (Album Review)
- 03 – Kyng – Breathe in the Water (8 pts)
- 02 – Monster Truck – Sittin’ Heavy (9 pts)
- 01 – Crobot – Fat City (10 pts) (Album Review)
David Glynn (staff writer – Japan)
- 10 – Electric Citizen – Higher Time (1 pts)
- 09 – Glenn Hughes – Resonate (2 pts)
- 08 – The Amorettes – White Hot Heat (3 pts) (Album Review)
- 07 – The Treatment – Generation Me (4 pts) (Album Review)
- 06 – Massive – Destination Somewhere (5 pts)
- 05 – Anthrax – For All Kings (6 pts = 9 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – Scorpion Child – Acid Roulette (7 pts) (Album Review)
- 03 – Inglorious – Inglorious (8 pts) (Album Review)
- 02 – Crobot – Fat City (9 pts = 19 pts) (Album Review)
- 01 – Raveneye – Nova (10 pts)
Loose Cannon (staff writer – USA)
- 10 – Billy Talent – Afraid of Heights (1 pts = 6 pts) (Album Review)
- 09 – Twelve Foot Ninja – Outlier (2 pts) (Album Review)
- 08 – The Struts – Everybody Wants (3 pts) (Album Review)
- 07 – Airbourne – Breakin’ Outta Hell (4 pts = 12 pts) (Album Review)
- 06 – Megadeth – Dystopia (5 pts = 18 pts) (Album Review)
- 05 – Volbeat – Seal the Deal & Let’s Boogie (6 pts = 12 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – Monster Truck – Sittin’ Heavy (7 pts = 16 pts)
- 03 – Dead Daisies – Make Some Noise (8 pts = 21 pts) (Album Review)
- 02 – Kyng – Breathe in the Water (9 pts = 17 pts)
- 01 – Crobot – Fat City (10 pts = 29 pts) (Album Review)
Jeremy Bednarski (staff writer – USA)
- 10 – Rolling Stones – Blue and Lonesome (1 pts)
- 09 – Candlebox – Disappearing in Airports (2 pts) (Album Review)
- 08 – Last in Line – Heavy Crown (3 pts = 4 pts) (Album Review)
- 07 – Metallica – Hardwired…To Self-Destruct (4 pts = 19 pts)(Album Review)
- 06 – Volbeat – Seal the Deal & Let’s Boogie (5 pts = 17 pts) (Album Review)
- 05 – Zakk Wylde – Book of Shadows II (6 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – Cheap Trick – Bang Zoom Crazy Hello (7 pts)
- 03 – Anthrax – For All Kings (8 pts = 17 pts) (Album Review)
- 02 – Charred Walls of the Damned – Creatures Watching Over the Dead (9 pts) (Album Review)
- 01 – Megadeth – Dystopia (10 pts = 28 pts) (Album Review)
Shawn “Short-Fuse” Carter (staff writer – Canada)
- 10 – Fallujah – Dreamless (1 pts)
- 09 – Vulvodynia – Psychosadistic Design (2 pts)
- 08 – Allegaeon – Proponent for Sentience (3 pts) (Album Review)
- 07 – Anaal Nathrakh – The Whole of the Law (4 pts)
- 06 – Meshuggah – The Violent Sleep of Reason (5 pts)
- 05 – Revocation – Great is Our Sin (6 pts)
- 04 – Gorguts – Pleiades’ Dust (7 pts)
- 03 – Megadeth – Dystopia (8 pts = 36 pts) (Album Review)
- 02 – Aborted – Retrogore (9 pts) (Album Review)
- 01 – Black Crown Initiate – Selves We Cannot Forgive (10 pts) (Album Review)
Blair DeAbreu (staff writer – Canada)
- 10 – The Struts – Everybody Wants (1 pts = 4 pts) (Album Review)
- 09 – The Defiants – The Defiants (3 pts) (Album Review)
- 08 – Enuff Z’ Nuff – Clown’s Lounge (4 pts)
- 07 – TVD– Salvation Through Distraction (Moves up to #6 due to disqualifications-5 pts) (Album Review)
- 06 – KISS – KISS Rocks Vegas (live-Disqualified 0 pts)
- 05 – Shiraz Lane – For Crying Out Loud (6 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – Love Razer – Rock n’ Roll Addiction (EP) (7 pts) (Album Review)
- 03 – Tigertailz – Blast (8 pts) (Album Review)
- 02 – Reckless Love – InVader (9 pts) (Album Review)
- 01 – Volbeat – Seal the Deal & Let’s Boogie (10 pts = 27 pts) (Album Review)
Derik Novak (staff writer / Twitter – USA)
- 10 – Fates Warning – Theories of Flight (1 pts)
- 09 – Testament – Brotherhood of the Snake (2 pts) (Album Review)
- 08 – The Treatment – Generation Me (3 pts = 7 pts) (Album Review)
- 07 – Vega – Who We Are (4 pts = 6 pts) (Album Review)
- 06 – Megadeth – Dystopia (5 pts = 41 pts) (Album Review)
- 05 – Pretty Maids – Kingmaker (6 pts = 8 pts)
- 04 – Glenn Hughes – Resonate (7 pts = 9 pts)
- 03 – Anthrax – For All Kings (8 pts = 25 pts) (Album Review)
- 02 – Striker – Stand in the Fire (9 pts) (Album Review)
- 01 – Tygers of Pan Tang – Tygers of Pan Tang (10 pts) (Album Review)
.
Wally “Wallygator” Norton (staff writer – Canada)
- 10 – Little Caesar – Brutally Honest, Live in Holland (live-Disqualified 0 pts) (Album Review)
- 09 – Glenn Hughes – Resonate (2 pts = 11 pts)
- 08 – Lita Ford – Time Capsule (3 pts) (Album Review)
- 07 – Testament – Brotherhood of the Snake (4 pts = 6 pts) (Album Review)
- 06 – Cheap Trick – Bang Zoom Crazy Hello (5 pts = 12 pts)
- 05 – Metallica – Hardwired…To Self-Destruct (6 pts = 25 pts)(Album Review)
- 04 – Dead Daisies – Make Some Noise (7 pts = 28 pts) (Album Review)
- 03 – Love Razer – Rock n’ Roll Addiction (EP) (8 pts = 15 pts) (Album Review)
- 02 – Last in Line – Heavy Crown (9 pts = 13 pts) (Album Review)
- 01 – A Rebel Few – As the Crow Flies (10 pts)(Album Review)
Read Wally’s Full Top Ten Article
Brian Ronald (photographer – Canada)
- 10 – Miss Behaviour – Ghost Play (1 pts) (Album Review)
- 09 – Captain Blackbeard – It’s a Mouthful (2 pts) (Album Review)
- 08 – Bulletrain – What You Fear Most (3 pts)
- 07 – Primal Fear – Rulebreaker (4 pts = 16 pts) (Album Review)
- 06 – Shakra – High Noon (5 pts = 11 pts) (Album Review)
- 05 – Phantom 5 – Phantom 5 (6 pts = 9 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – Tango Down – Bulletproof (7 pts) (Album Review)
- 03 – Grim Reaper – Walking in the Shadows (8 pts)
- 02 – The New Black – A Monster’s Life (9 pts)
- 01 – Tygers of Pan Tang – Tygers of Pan Tang (10 pts = 20 pts) (Album Review)
Read Brian’s Full Top Ten Article
Phil Lisotti (staff writer – Canada)
- 10 – A Rebel Few – As the Crow Flies (1 pts = 11 pts) (Album Review)
- 09 – Scorpion Child – Acid Roulette (2 pts = 9 pts) (Album Review)
- 08 – Blink 182 – California (3 pts)
- 07 – Avenged Sevenfold – The Stage (4 pts)
- 06 – The Pack A.D. – Positive Thinking (5 pts) (Album Review)
- 05 – Volbeat – Seal the Deal & Let’s Boogie (6 pts = 33 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – Megadeth – Dystopia (7 pts = 48 pts) (Album Review)
- 03 – Kvelertak – Nattesferd (8 pts) (Album Review)
- 02 – Billy Talent – Afraid of Heights (9 pts = 15 pts) (Album Review)
- 01 – Green Day – Revolution Radio (10 pts)
Metal Mama (staff writer – USA)
- 10 – Jorn – Heavy Rock Radio (1 pts) (Album Review)
- 09 – Jaded Heart – Guilty By Design (2 pts) (Album Review)
- 08 – The Amorettes – White Hot Heat (3 pts = 6 pts) (Album Review)
- 07 – Dorothy – ROCKISDEAD (4 pts) (Album Review)
- 06 – Alter Bridge – The Last Hero (5 pts) (Album Review)
- 05 – Michael Sweet – One Sided War (6 pts = 16 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – HammerFall – Built To Last (7 pts) (Album Review)
- 03 – Iron Savior – Titancraft (8 pts) (Album Review)
- 02 – Q5 – New World Order (9 pts = 13 pts) (Album Review)
- 01 – Disciple – Long Live The Rebels (10 pts)
Read Metal Mama’s Full Top Ten Article
Mikael “The Lionsheart” Svensson (staff writer – Sweden)
- 10 – Running Wild – Rapid Foray (1 pts) (Album Review)
- 09 – Pretty Maids – Kingmaker (2 pts = 10 pts)
- 08 – Grim Reaper – Walking in the Shadows (3 pts = 11 pts)
- 07 – Quartz – Fear No Evil (4 pts)
- 06 – Briar – Hard Times (5 pts) (Album Review)
- 05 – Q5 – New World Order (6 pts = 19 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – Tygers of Pan Tang – Tygers of Pan Tang (7 pts = 27 pts) (Album Review)
- 03 – Kissin’ Dynamite – Generation Goodbye (8 pts)
- 02 – Mob Rules – Tales From Beyond (9 pts) (Album Review)
- 01 – Phantom 5 – Phantom 5 (10 pts = 19 pts) (Album Review)
Read Mikael’s Full Top Ten Article
Craig Terdich (staff writer – USA)
- 10 – Sixx: A.M. – Prayers for the Damned (1 pts) (Album Review)
- 09 – Dead Daisies – Make Some Noise (2 pts = 30 pts) (Album Review)
- 08 – The Pretty Reckless – Who You Selling For? (8 pts = 8 pts)
- 07 – Michael Sweet – One Sided War (4 pts = 20 pts) (Album Review)
- 06 – Megadeth – Dystopia (5 pts = 53 pts) (Album Review)
- 05 – Alter Bridge – The Last Hero (6 pts = 11 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – Korn – Serenity of Suffering (7 pts)
- 03 – Anthrax – For All Kings (8 pts = 33 pts) (Album Review)
- 02 – Avenged Sevenfold – The Stage (9 pts = 13 pts)
- 01 – Metallica – Hardwired…To Self-Destruct (10 pts = 35 pts)(Album Review)
Read Craig’s Full Top Ten Article
Matt “Ashcrafty” Ashcraft (staff writer – USA)
- 10 – Metallica – Hardwired…To Self-Destruct (2 pts = 37 pts)(Album Review)
- 09 – Crobot – Fat City (3 pts = 32 pts) (Album Review)
- 08 – Rival Sons – Hollow Bones (4 pts)
- 07 – Imperial State Electric – All Through the Night (5 pts)
- 06 – Dorothy – ROCKISDEAD (6 pts = 10 pts) (Album Review)
- 05 – Anthrax – For All Kings (7 pts = 40 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – Monster Truck – Sittin’ Heavy (Moves up to #3 due to disqualification-8 pts = 24 pts)
- 03 – Clutch – Psychic Warfare (Deluxe) (2015-Disqualified 0 pts)
- 02 – Butch Walker – Stay Gold (9 pts)
- 01 – The Struts – Everybody Wants (10 pts = 14 pts) (Album Review)
Rich “The Meister” Dillon (website editor/staff writer – Canada)
- 10 – Captain Blackbeard – It’s a Mouthful (1 pts = 3 pts) (Album Review)
- 09 – Shakra – High Noon (2 pts = 13 pts) (Album Review)
- 08 – Grim Reaper – Walking in the Shadows (3 pts = 14 pts)
- 07 – Jaded Heart – Guilty By Design (4 pts = 6 pts) (Album Review)
- 06 – Niterain – Vendetta (5 pts)
- 05 – Crystal Ball – Déjà-Voodoo (6 pts = 13 pts) (Album Review)
- 04 – Running Wild – Rapid Foray (7 pts = 8 pts) (Album Review)
- 03 – The Amorettes – White Hot Heat (8 pts = 14 pts) (Album Review)
- 02 – Primal Fear – Rulebreaker (9 pts = 25 pts) (Album Review)
- 01 – Q5 – New World Order (10 pts = 29 pts) (Album Review)
.
….and there we have the collective Top Ten Albums of the Year lists from many of our staff. What are your top ten? Let us know in the comments.
Thanks to all the bands that issued albums and played shows in 2016! It was a great year and even if you didn’t make our list it doesn’t mean that we don’t love ya!
Support the scene, buy albums and concert tickets!
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