As the calendar winds down, we're ready to reflect on the year that was in music. And on the rock side of things, there were a wide array of acts that delivered the music that put a stamp on 2016.

We saw a maturing of some of our top punk bands as Green Day, Blink-182, Sum 41 and NOFX all made major creative statements, not to mention a standout surprise release from one of punk's true pioneers -- Iggy Pop. Acts like Zakk Wylde and Red Hot Chili Peppers flipped the script on what we have come to expect from them.

Rob Zombie, Deftones, Chevelle, Alter Bridge, A Day to Remember and Skillet added to what were already stellar catalogs of music, while bands like The Pretty Reckless, Beartooth, Purson, Highly Suspect, Pierce the Veil, The Temperance Movement and The Virginmarys all made us excited for the future of rock.

Note, while the cutoff for our 6th Annual Loudwire Music Awards nominees was Oct. 21, this list includes all 2016 albums, which explains why an album made this list without being nominated for Best Rock Album.

What were the best rock albums of 2016? Scroll through the gallery above and get a look at the discs that helped to define the year that was.