THAT DRUMMER GUY'S TOP 10 COVERS OF 2016

When it comes to covers, I look for 2 things when I come to if I will enjoy a band covering a song. 1.) Is it a new spin on a song or is it a heart felt note to note remake? 2.) Does it give the original justice? If both of those are yes, then odds are I will enjoy it. If it's at least one of those two, I still may enjoy it. These 10 covers I found to combine the best elements of what I look for in a cover song. Some are beyond unique, some are straight up remakes, but all of them have my heart!

10.) Tribulation- Pay The Man (The Offspring cover) Melancholia EP
FFO- Black Metal, Occult Rock, Psychedelic

This band has been on the rise for a few years now and they are continuing to build a solid fan base in the states. with the release of their latest EP, Melancholia, the band showcases a nearly note for note remake of the Offspring song, Pay The Man. Obviously the vocals are quite different, but the mood and atmosphere are the same. Very mystical. To the outside listener, it seems like a crazy idea to do, but it totally works!

9.) Fountainhead- Model Man (King Crimson cover) Reverse Engineering
FFO- Progressive Metal, Technical Metal

Ex-Obscura guitarist, Fountainhead, released his first LP (3rd solo release) this year with Reverse Engineering, the final track is an amazing remake of the song Model Man by King Crimson. The vocals and down tuning have a Alternative, Progressive Rock feel to them ala Tool/System Of A Down, to beef up the heaviness of an otherwise, not heavy song. Fountainhead completely makes this his own and does a killer job of it.

8.) Bykürius- Wild Child (W.A.S.P. cover) Our World Blackened
FFO- Raw Black Metal covering Classic Metal Songs

The band name alone proves how seriously you can take the band. This album is filled with classic metal covers done in a raw, symphonic black metal way. Wild Child in particular really shows how to make a song your own. Again, it's meant to be taken as seriously as you can normally take tr00 kvlt black metal, as in you can't. Enjoy it for laughs, giggles, and some actually really good musicianship.

7.) Crystal Lake- Wide Eyed (The Ghost Inside cover)
FFO- Melodic Hardcore

While I will admit I am far from an expert in this genre, I really do appreciate great hooks and melodic hardcore is filled with it. The Ghost Inside is arguably one of the best known bands in the genre, and they suffered a major accident last year that resulted in drummer Andrew Tkaczyk losing his leg, among other injuries within the band. Japan's Crystal Lake did a cover of TGI's Wide Eyed and is giving all the proceeds to the band to help pay for medical expenses. The Ghost Inside is also doing one final tour before closing the books. This song is made for a great cause, of course I gotta put it on this list.

6.) Jorn Lande- There's Something Going On (Anni-Frid Lyngstad of Abba cover) Heavy Rock Radio
FFO- Power Metal, Classic Rock, Hard Rock

Jorn Lande has put out another stellar covers album and this one is filled with many great radio hits and some more obscure tracks. This track in particular is a fantastic display of making a song heavier, yet keeping it just as poppy and fun. Jorn's voice is just perfection.

5.) Perihelion Ship- Hangar 18 (Megadeth cover)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal

You may remember this band name from my Best Epics list. The Progressive Death Metal band took their skills and decided to cover the classic Megadeth track, Hangar 18. What was the one thing missing from the original rendition, you ask? KEYBOARDS! Filling in as another guitar of sorts, the keyboard shine through and make this song the evil Dark Purple meets Opeth track you always wanted. Such killer stuff.

4.) Allegaeon- Subdivisions (Rush cover) Proponent for Sentience
FFO- Progressive Metal, Technical Metal

The first Allegaeon song to feature all clean vocals, their rendition of Subdivisions is almost a straight up cover with some key note differences in the drums and tuning to match the band's style. A phenomenal cover that really pays tribute to one of the greatest bands on Earth.

3.) Anaal Nathrakh- Powerslave (Iron Maiden cover) The Whole Of The Law (bonus track)
FFO- Black Metal, experimental, the apocalypse, and occasional clean vocals

This is the most 'WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?' cover I've heard this year. But as a die-hard fan of the band, I went into this with an open mind and fell in love. to the classic metal fan, the only part you will appreciate is the solo section which is a beefier metal version of the original. The rest of the song is absolute chaos. This is not for everyone, but if you dare venture, this is one hell of a journey known as Anaal Nathrakh covering Powerslave.

2.) Oceans Of Slumber- Knights In White Satin (The Moody Blues cover) Winter
FFO- Progressive Death Metal

For the most part, this is a straight up, but heavier version of the original. Just as somber and melancholic. The solo section through the end of the song is where the song really starts to pick up and get chaotic. Bet you didn't expect a Moody Blues songs to have blast beats and for it to make sense! It's one of those tracks you just have to go in with an open mind if you love the original. This is magnificently well done and gives the intention of the song a whole new perspective.

1.) Devin Townsend- Transdermal Celebration (Ween cover) Transcendence
FFO- Progressive Metal

To be 100% honest, I have no idea this was a cover when I reviewed the album a few months back. I thought this was just a nice, happy Hevy Devy song. It wasn't until it was pointed out to me that it was a Ween song that I realized it was a cover. This keeps the spirit of the original alive while making it completely his own (and almost 3 times the length). This song makes you want to stand up with joy and celebrate life, and let's face it, we need that right now.


Coming Up Next- That Drummer Guy's Top 100 Albums of 2016 Part 1: The Honorable Mentions