It’s been unquestionable that 2016 has been, if we’re going to put it very mildly, a whirlwind of a year across several areas of the world. What’s also just as unquestionable is how fantastic of a year it has been for new music and releases, with newborn classic after newborn classic hitting our inboxes and our ears far more often than we’re used to, and we’ve been absolutely loving it.

Consequently, it’s been pretty tough to pull our brains together, split the opinions, define our true loves and hates, but we’ve done it. So, here we have what we collectively feel have been the top 10 best albums to have come out across the past 12 months. If you haven’t heard any of these yet, get that sorted out. Immediately.

DEAD PRESS! TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2016:

10.) Nails – ‘You Will Never Be One Of Us’ Rating:

What we said about it:

“The trio’s career thus far has been typified by a staunch commitment to aural violence, culminating in the eye-popping sadism of their third full-length ‘You Will Never Be One Of Us’, where the band’s head-down primitivism and jaw-clamping ferocity meet in the most thrilling and deadly metallic onslaught in recent memory.” Review | Spotify | iTunes | Amazon | Deezer Facebook | Twitter 09.) Thrice – ‘To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere’ Rating:

What we said about it:

“You may not like their Christian undertones, but rationality, albeit delivered in sombre tones, is always welcome. Back from their hiatus, the Thrice machine thankfully rumbles on without missing a beat, and not a moment too soon.” Review | Spotify | iTunes | Amazon | Deezer Facebook | Twitter 08.) The 1975 – ‘I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It’ Rating:

What we said about it:

“Ambition and innovative progression cannot be put into question here, and this LP is certainly one of more refreshing releases seen in British indie rock/pop-rock in the past few years.” Review | Spotify | iTunes | Amazon | Deezer Facebook | Twitter 07.) Dance Gavin Dance – ‘Mothership’ Rating:

What we said about it:

“Few bands can flirt between pop sensibilities and enter metalcore territory with a locomotive of sheer technical metal quite like Dance Gavin Dance, and this album proves in spades that they’ve mastered that swift change more seamlessly than ever before.” Review | Spotify | iTunes | Amazon | Deezer Facebook | Twitter 06.) The Dillinger Escape Plan – ‘Dissociation’ Rating:

What we said about it:

“More than two decades after their initial inception, they’re still one of the most challenging, innovative, and perplexing bands of all time, and they want to walk away with their heads held high knowing that’s still the case. ‘Dissociation’ is the perfect end to an illustrious career, and leaves them with a faultless back catalogue. How many other bands can boast that?” Review | Spotify | iTunes | Amazon | Deezer Facebook | Twitter 05.) Black Peaks – ‘Statues’ Rating:

What we said about it:

“With a style of music that could see them travelling in no end of directions, and a sound that taps into multiple sub-genres and their relevant fanbases, there’s simply no doubt that Black Peaks have what it takes to go very, very far.” Review | Spotify | iTunes | Amazon | Deezer Facebook | Twitter 04.) letlive. – ‘If I’m The Devil…’ Rating:

What we said about it:

“‘If I’m The Devil…’ is without question a letlive. record through and through with longevity to boot. The post-hardcore tag is being shaken off, the “soul punx” ethos has never been more prominent, and, as uncomfortable as the subject matters may be, they’re ones that need to be discussed, addressed, and resolved. Live, and letlive.” Review | Spotify | iTunes | Amazon | Deezer Facebook | Twitter 03.) Every Time I Die – ‘Low Teens’ Rating:

What we said about it:

“They have created a masterpiece that incorporates what the fans crave whilst exploring new territory, and not because they have to, but because they fucking want to. Hell, even at album number eight, Every Time I Die are full of surprises, keeping their fans guessing, and never ceasing to amaze.” Review | Spotify | iTunes | Amazon | Deezer Facebook | Twitter 02.) PUP – ‘The Dream Is Over’ Rating:

What we said about it:

“The vocals are imperfect (this is meant as a compliment), and the production is raw and gritty, so anyone who likes their music polished to a reflective shine might not click with this album. But, if you’re looking for a pop-punk record that feels (above all else) real, then look no further.” Review | Spotify | iTunes | Amazon | Deezer Facebook | Twitter 01.) Architects – ‘All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us’ Rating:

What we said about it:

“Though subjects of atheism and nihilism certainly aren’t shied away from, this effort is more a blunt accusatory declaration of humanity sinking into an abyss that they’ve created for themselves and have turned a blind eye to. Instead of a tap on the shoulder to share these important points of discussion, Architects have rightfully come in with a sledgehammer to the cranium.” Review | Spotify | iTunes | Amazon | Deezer Facebook | Twitter

STAFF TOP 10:

Along with our overall top 10 albums above, we also have our own lists of what rocked our bloody socks off this year, because everyone’s a bit different. Have a look and see what each of us liked below and, if you want to speak to us about it, some of us have put our Twitter links with them too:

Andy Roberts (@sassensquatch)

01.) Every Time I Die – ‘Low Teens’

02.) Green Day – ‘Radio Revolution’

03.) Blink-182 – ‘California’

04.) Sum 41 – ’13 Voices’

05.) The Dillinger Escape Plan – ‘Dissociation’

06.) This Wild Life – ‘Low Tides’

07.) Lacey Strum – ‘Life Screams’

08.) Red Fang – ‘Only Ghosts’

09.) Periphery – ‘Periphery III: Select Difficulty’

10.) The Lounge Kittens – ‘Sequins & C-Bombs’

Bradley Cassidy (@bradcassidy170)

01.) Gojira – ‘Magma’

02.) The Dillinger Escape Plan – ‘Dissociation’

03.) Brujeria – ‘Pocho Azitan’

04.) Nails – ‘You Will Never Be One Of Us’

05.) Korn – ‘The Serenity Of Suffering’

06.) Metallica – ‘Hardwired… To Self Destruct’

07.) Abbath – ‘Abbath’

08.) Ihsahn – ‘Arktia’

09.) Rob Zombie – ‘The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser’

10.) Kvelertak – ‘Natterfed’

Callum Griffin (@CallumGriffinn)

01.) Biffy Clyro – ‘Ellipsis’

02.) Napoleon – ‘Newborn Mind’

03.) The 1975 – ‘I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It’

04.) Slaves – ‘Take Control’

05.) Bad Rabbits – ‘American Nightmare’

06.) A Day To Remember – ‘Bad Vibrations’

07.) Busted – ‘Night Driver’

08.) Architects – ‘All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us’

09.) Bon Iver – ’22, A Million’

10.) Kings Of Leon – ‘WALLS’

Chris Yeoh (@Chris_Yeoh)

01.) PUP – ‘The Dream Is Over’

02.) Dance Gavin Dance – ‘Mothership’

03.) Chance The Rapper – ‘Colouring Book’

04.) Against Me! – ‘Shape Shift With Me’

05.) Thrice – ‘To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere’

06.) Bad Rabbits – ‘American Nightmare’

07.) Frightened Rabbit – ‘Painting Of A Panic Attack’

08.) Joyce Manor – ‘Cody’

09.) The Devil Wears Prada – ‘Transit Blues’

10.) Kevin Morby – ‘Singing Saw’

Emma Stone (@EmmaStonePhoto)

01.) Volbeat – ‘Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie’

02.) Monster Truck – ‘Sittin’ Heavy’

03.) Jimmy Eat World – ‘Integrity Blues’

04.) Thrice – ‘To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere’

05.) The 1975 – ‘I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It’

06.) City & Colour – ‘If I Should Go Before You’

07.) Sonic Boom Six – ‘The F-Bomb’

08.) Lamb Of God – ‘The Duke’

09.) Blink-182 – ‘California’

10.) Against Me! – ‘Shape Shift With Me’

Ian Taylor (@iantaylorphoto)

01.) Architects – ‘All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us’

02.) letlive. – ‘If I’m The Devil…’

03.) Issues – ‘Headspace’

04.) Biffy Clyro – ‘Ellipsis’

05.) Bury Tomorrow – ‘Earthbound’

06.) Carcer City – ‘Infinite // Unknown’

07.) Zoax – ‘Zoax’

08.) Blink-182 – ‘California’

09.) Beartooth – ‘Aggressive’

10.) Saosin – ‘Along The Shadow’

Jon Barlow (@Narlow1)

01.) Lacey Sturm – ‘Life Screams’

02.) Hands Like Houses – ‘Dissonants’

03.) This Wild Life – ‘Low Tides’

04.) Against The Current – ‘In Our Bones’

05.) Tegan & Sara – ‘Love You To Death’

06.) Evarose – ‘Invisible Monsters’

07.) Emarosa – ‘131’

08.) Jimmy Eat World – ‘Integrity Blues’

09.) Panic! At The Disco – ‘Death Of A Bachelor’

10.) Set It Off – ‘Upside Down’

Julia Conopo (@JuliaConopo)

01.) Dance Gavin Dance – ‘Mothership’

02.) With Confidence – ‘Better Weather’

03.) Kings Of Leon – ‘WALLS’

04.) Emarosa – ‘131’

05.) The Pretty Reckless – ‘Who You Selling For’

06.) Panic At The Disco – ‘Death of a Bachelor’

07.) letlive. – ‘If I’m The Devil…’

08.) Bury Tomorrow – ‘Earthbound’

09.) The Dillinger Escape Plan – ‘Dissociation’

10.) Issues – ‘Headspace’

Liam Knowles (@wearefixtures)

01.) Every Time I Die – ‘Low Teens’

02.) Oathbreaker – ‘Rheia’

03.) PUP – ‘The Dream Is Over’

04.) Black Peaks – ‘Statues’

05.) Touché Amoré – ‘Stage Four’

06.) Norma Jean – ‘Polar Similar’

07.) Amplifighters – ‘Amplifighters’

08.) Heck – ‘Instructions’

09.) Thrice – ‘To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere’

10.) Pears – ‘Green Star’

Mike Heath (@MikeBeef)

01.) letlive. – ‘If I’m The Devil…’

02.) Weezer – ‘Weezer (The White Album)’

03.) Trophy Eyes – ‘Chemical Miracle’

04.) Architects – ‘All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us’

05.) PUP – ‘The Dream Is Over’

06.) Frank Iero & The Patience – ‘Parachutes’

07.) Max Raptor – ‘Max Raptor’

08.) The Interrupters – ‘Say It Out Loud’

09.) Taking Back Sunday – ‘Tidal Wave’

10.) A Day To Remember – ‘Bad Vibrations’

Neil Criddle (@DJCriddz)

01.) Metallica – ‘Hardwired… To Self Destruct’

02.) Normandie – ‘Inguz’

03.) Toothgrinder – ‘Nocturnal Masquerade’

04.) Black Peaks – ‘Statues’

05.) Black Crown Initiate – ‘Selves We Cannot Forgive’

06.) Architects – ‘All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us’

07.) Gojira – ‘Magma’

08.) Periphery – ‘Periphery III: Select Difficulty’

09.) Avenged Sevenfold – ‘The Stage’

10.) Zoax – ‘Zoax’

Raimonda Arāja (@_raimondaaa)

01.) Frank Iero & The Patience – ‘Parachutes’

02.) PUP – ‘The Dream Is Over’

03.) Car Seat Headrest – ‘Teens Of Denial’

04.) David Bowie – ‘Blackstar’

05.) Beach Slang – ‘A Loud Bash Of Teenage Feelings’

06.) Black Peaks – ‘Statues’

07.) Architects – ‘All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us’

08.) Thrice – ‘To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere’

09.) letlive. – ‘If I’m The Devil…’

10.) Zeal & Ardor – ‘Devil Is Fine’

Sean Shore (@seanshorephoto)

01.) Biffy Clyro – ‘Ellipsis’

02.) Like Pacific – ‘Distance Like You Asked’

03.) Childish Gambino – ‘Awaken, My Love’

04.) Knocked Loose – ‘Laugh Tracks’

05.) Black Foxxes – ‘I’m Not Well’

06.) Architects – ‘All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us’

07.) Real Friends – ‘The Home Inside My Head’

08.) Hands Like Houses – ‘Dissonants’

09.) Twin Atlantic – ‘GLA’

10.) Capsize – ‘A Reintroduction: The Essence Of All That Surrounds Me’

Tony Bliss (@TBliss88)

01.) Architects – ‘All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us’

02.) The Dillinger Escape Plan – ‘Dissociation’

03.) Nails – ‘You Will Never Be One Of Us’

04.) Every Time I Die – ‘Low Teens’

05.) Blood Incantation – ‘Starspawn’

06.) Anaal Nathrakh – ‘The Whole Of The Law’

07.) Inter Arma – ‘Paradise Gallows’

08.) Oceans Of Slumber – ‘Winter’

09.) Chthe’ilist — ‘Le Dernier Crépuscule’

10.) Periphery – ‘Periphery III: Select Difficulty’

Zach Redrup (@zachredrup)

01.) Architects – ‘All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us’

02.) Casey – ‘Love Is Not Enough’

03.) Deftones – ‘Gore’

04.) The 1975 – ‘I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It’

05.) I See Stars – ‘Treehouse’

06.) Black Peaks – ‘Statues’

07.) Dance Gavin Dance – ‘Mothership’

08.) Emarosa – ‘131’

09.) Every Time I Die – ‘Low Teens’

10.) letlive. – ‘If I’m The Devil…’