1. South of Salem-Death of the party. Released in January it was never a doubt not being my number 1. The second album for horror hard rockers south of salem delivers more spooky metal sing a longs and has helped elevate them up another level. The band are ready for world domination. Perfection.

2. Better Lovers-Highly Irresponsible. Riff tastic metal from members of Dilinger escape plan, every time I die and fit for an autopsy. Released in October but I’ve not long heard it and haven’t stopped playing.

3.Eclipse-Meglomanium 2. The most consistent band in the New wave of classic rock/sleaze metal genre. Eclipse deliver another album full of catchy rock anthems and the follow up to last years meglomanium.

4. crossbone Skully-Evil world machine. A supergroup of sorts headed by Alice Cooper band member Tommy Henriksen. If you like AC/DC and haven’t heard this yet do yourself a favour and hit play. Everyone’s on dope,the boom went boom and flip the bird are highlights. Love this a lot.

5.Knocked Loose-you won’t go before your supposed to. The third album from hardcore band knocked loose is an absolute journey and a wonderful won at that. It’s hard to pick a stand out song because this album should be listened at a whole piece of work rather than picking things out.

6.Lowlives-freaking out. Debut album from LA based grunge band who have been putting out belting singles and eps over the last few years. Grunge with a sense of 90s alt Brit rock. Liar deserves to be huge, loser is a delight.

7.BMTH-Post Human-NeX GEn. One of the big albums of the year. Polarising as ever. Really liked this and top ten statues that cried blood is one of my favourite tracks of the year, even though it’s a rip off of a FFAF song.

8. Kickin Valentina-star spangled fist fight. Hard rocking sleaze heaven. Played this a lot when it came out. Throughly good fun.

9.Thomas Nicholas Band-Were gonna be okay. Actor turned musician Thomas Nicholas released his best album to date this year full of catchy pop punk anthems. Go see a live show for stories, laughs and great music.

10.Linkin Park-From Zero. An album that’s divided opinion. It’s great to have them back and there’s a hand full of really good tracks on here. I really liked it at first but haven’t hit play for a while.

11. While she sleeps-Self Hell. I have been on a journey with this. Liked it, disliked, liked a couple of songs, connected with it again. It’s far from my favourite sleeps album but does contain some bangers for the live set.

12.The Cure-Songs of a lost world. I did a deep dive on the cure earlier this year not realising they were releasing new music, but that set me up for this. It’s not an easy listen but is filled with layers upon layers of musical talent.

13. Sorry Park-Circles. I love pop punk in the summertime so this dropped just in time this year. I discovered this band by photographing some of their shows and was instantly a fan. If you like new found glory, all time low, green day you should dig this.

14.The Karma Effect-Pronised land. Amazing second album from new wave of classic rock stars the karma effect. The first three tracks on this are absolute bangers. Front man Henry Gottlier is a shred machine with an increbile voice and stage presence the oozes rockstar.

15.Defects-modern error. Incredible debut album from British metal core outfit Defects. Fans of while she sleeps, bury tomorrow will love this. Really happy do have discovered this.