THAT DRUMMER GUY'S TOP 100 ALBUMS OF 2016 PART III: 60-41

Today comes the 3rd of 5 parts of this mega list of the best albums of 2016. We'll be crossing over the half way mark and really start getting into the nitty gritty of it all. 40 amazing albums have been featured so far and I hope you found at least one album you've dug so far, if not, here's another shot of 20 albums to see if anything tickles your fancy, or anywhere else you wanna be tickled!

60.) Killswitch Engage- Incarnate
FFO- Metalcore

KSE is back with their second album since the return of Jesse Leach to the front of the stage. While their previous album Disarm the Descent was much more of the aggressive and brutal side of the band, Incarnate brings back the KSE sound we all know and love. Catchy harmonies and melodies, fantastic dynamics, and amazing songwriting. There is a good reason why these guys are still around, they have so much more to show us.

59.) Striker- Stand In The Fire
FFO- Classic Metal, Speed Metal

Canada's Striker continues to bring their blend of the classic heavy metal sound for our listening pleasure. Whether they are going with all guns blazing or they are writing a classic mid tempo number; Striker knocked it out of the park with Stand In The Fire. If this doesn't call for you to rewatch Heavy Metal Parking Lot, nothing will.

58.) Revocation- Great Is Our Sin
FFO- Technical Metal, Thrash Metal, Death Metal

Revocation is back with more fury than ever. The band has yet to release a subpar album, but Great Is Our Sin feels like the kick start the band didn't know they needed. So fresh and inspired with some of the best tracks the band has ever written. Revocation is absolutely on fire right now, feel the burn!

57.) Solution .45- Nightmares In the Waking State Pt. 2
FFO- Melodic Death Metal

Christian Alvestam has one of the greatest growls and clean voices in all of metal. Both equally shine on this album. While Part 1 had some great moments, part 2 kicks everything into 12th gear as far as beauty and intensity. An absolutely solid album.

56.) The Mute Gods- Do Nothing Till you Hear From Me
FFO- Progressive Rock, Alternative Rock, Pop

The amazing debut album from the stellar trio trio of Nick Beggs, Marco Minnemann and Roger King.  Thought provoking lyrics and concept from Beggs featuring outstanding songwriting and playing. It's an amazing feeling when you find a prog album that is as equally catchy as it does a great job of making you think about the state of the world we live. An absolute must listen for the prog fan in all of us.

55.) Freedom Call- Master Of Light
FFO- Positive Power Metal

Freedom Call has put out arguably the most solid album of their career. While many have voiced their opinion of the album cover (To me, it's just a silly album cover that matches the mood of the album), you can't deny the phenomenal production, and awesome songwriting. The lyrics are, of course, silly and cheesy, but they put all a smile on your face. Damn it, we need more of that in metal! Freedom Call has delivered the feel good Power Metal album of the year, will you accept the charges?

54.) Beseech- My Darkness, Darkness
FFO- Gothic Metal

The return album of the underground Swedish Gothic Metal band, Beseech, since their breakup in 2006 and return in 2013. The album features a great mix of catchy, dark, songs and somber, moody, ballads. An absolute dark beauty of an album.

53.) Anderson/Stolt- Invention of Knowledge
FFO- Progressive Rock

The collaboration of 2 prog gods we didn't know we needed: Jon Anderson and Roine Stolt. The easiest way to describe this album is a heavier (not metal) and more diverse version of Yes. That of course leaves out a lot of great elements the album shows off, but it helps paint a pretty picture. all songs featured here are masterpieces and showcases some of the finest work from either artist. As an avid fan of both men, it makes me very happy to see this album happen and I can't wait to see what album two has in store for us.

52.) Thrawsunblat- Metachthonia
FFO- Atmospheric Black Metal, Folk Metal

Do you miss Agalloch as much as I do? This is the album and band for you. The band's 3rd album preserves that black and folk metal sound forged by Agalloch, but done with a different perspective to make it completely their own. Canada, you continue to prove you make phenomenal music!

51.) Ted Poley- Beyond The Fade
FFO- Hard Rock, Pop Rock

Danger Danger frontman, Ted Poley, is the most standout musician from the 80s Glam scene in today's age, in my perspective. Instead of treading water by rehashing the glam days or just writing boring after more boring ballads that soooooooooo many bands from that era do now; Poley put out a jaw dropping display of creative work reaching so many dynamics and styles that sound refreshing. This is what 80's artists in the 2010's should aspire to accomplish. Outstanding!

50.) Ashbringer- Yugen
FFO- Atmospheric Black Metal, Folk Metal

The Minnesota Black Metal band has released their 2nd full length (and first as a full band). You can instantly tell how much of an impact the rest of the band has made to Nick Stanger's original vision. The songs are quite diverse and explore some awesome territory and show what more can be done with Blackgaze. One of the best bands to ever come out of Minnesota.

49.) Hands Of Despair- Bereft
FFO- Progressive Black Metal, Doom Metal

The latest release from the Montreal quintet is an exploration of all things loathsome and barren. The music explores so many dark dynamics with superb musicianship and haunting melodies and harmonies. A band that absolutely deserves you attention.

48.) The Dillinger Escape Plan- Dissociation
FFO- Math Metal

The farewell album from the pioneers of their blend of metal and hardcore is a fitting tribute to everything the band has set out to accomplish. Insane riffs, sheer intensity, catchy out of nowhere melodies, and the overall sense of formulated chaos. It's ad to see them go, but at least we will always have the music.

47.) Testament- Brotherhood Of The Snake
FFO- Thrash Metal

The world's greatest thrash band (yeah, I said it!) returns with another dark, angry and relentless thrash masterpiece. While there was a lot of behind the scenes tension in the making of the album, it has proven to be worth it as this is one of the best albums in the band's career. It sounds as angry as the band are right now. It will be great to see how these songs sound live.

46.) Unreqvited- Disquiet
FFO- If Dredg made Black Metal

The FFO segment says it all. Awe-inspiring, beautiful music cascaded with black metal screams and overtones. This one man project blew me away and if this sounds intriguing, I hope it does the same for you.

45.) The Jelly Jam- Profit
FFO- Progressive Rock, Hard Rock, Pop Rock

The most underrated trio supergroup: Ty Tabor, John Myung, Rod Morgenstein is back with the band's 3rd album. This one is a bit darker than their previous albums, but it is still equally catchy, poppy, and a complete joy to listen to. Absolutely solid from start to finish!

44.) Redemption- The Art Of Loss
FFO- Progressive Metal

The prog supergroup is back with the band's 6th album. Continuing the band's trend of dark, yet beautiful, songwriting. Ray Alder really shines this time around. Redemption has yet to put out a bad album to me and this proves that they are incapable of doing so.

43.) Perihelion Ship- A Rare Thunderstorm of Spring
FFO- Progressive Death Metal

One of the most mindblowing debut albums of 2016. Perihelion Ship combines so many great elements of prog. The screams and heaviness of Opeth, the cleans of Leprous, the musicianship of Porcupine Tree. This band is going to flourish more and more and I simply can't wait to see what's next.

42.) Cauldron- In Ruin
FFO- Classic Metal, Speed Metal, Heavy Metal

Having discovered these guys at the end of last year, I was excited to check out their latest album and it is completely and utterly stellar. Classic heavy metal with a raw, yet polished production and such catchy songwriting. I'm sad to see the album as low as it is on the list, because if it weren't for 41 other albums, this would be my number 1.

41.) Vektor- Terminal Redux
FFO- Technical Metal, Thrash Metal, Hyper Speed Metal

Death's The Sound of Perseverance on cocktail of Steroids, Coke, and Red Bull. Vektor is continuing to blow people's minds with their latest album, Terminal Redux. Exploring even more celestial sounds, the band expands on the diverse sounds, even adding some ballad moments to this otherwise unrelenting and punishing album. Vektor is FINALLY starting to get the recognition they have always deserved and while some may be upset this didn't crack my top 40, again, keep in mind what I said at the very beginning of my Top 100...If I am recognizing any album in this list, it is a damn good album.

Next Time: That Drummer Guy's Top 100 ALbums of 2016 Part IV: 40-21