Bucky's 2015 Rock Albums Review

Hi, everyone! My last blog post of 2015 is my annual review of the rock albums of the year. To keep it simple, I've organized the artists alphabetically by artist and only included the albums with 2015 release dates. Now that we've set the ground rules, here we go!

From Birth to Burial by 10 Years
I know the band's gotten some flak for releasing a "concept album" this year, but I think it's fine for artists to continually change. Besides, I think most of the songs work well for this album, and I'm glad to have heard a few of them live in concert this year. A recommended pickup for any 10 Years fan.
Recommended Tracks: "From Birth to Burial," "Miscellanea," "Moisture Residue."

Time and Trauma by 36 Crazyfists
This insanely good band from Alaska impressed me with their energetic set at the Wicked Moose Bar & Grill in Rochester, MN this past March. Their energy can be heard on their latest album. Great guitar work and intense vocals at time, well worth a few listens.
Recommended tracks: "Lightless," "Time and Trauma," "Gathering Bones."

The Light You've Always Had by Aeous
I first heard this band open for Sevendust at the Myth in Maplewood, MN three years ago, and picked up this album during their show at Hipps Pub in Eau Claire, WI in April. A more mature sounding rock album-not polished, but very professional sounding musicians. Check 'em out!
Recommended tracks: "More Than A Miracle," "Top of the List," "Loving this Disease."

Riddles and Riots from Ashes from Stone.
Of course, I have to give a shameless plug for my friends in Ashes from Stone. A great debut album-I'm really proud of the progress these guys have made as musicians, too. These songs will get stuck in your head, and their live shows are well worth the price of admission.
Recommended tracks: "Mine Oh Mine," "Illusion," "Misfire."

From Dusk to Dawn by Breaking Benjamin
I'm still stunned how this band went from a near-breakup and a five year hiatus to a number one album on the Billboard charts. From Dusk to Dawn picks up where frontman Ben Burnley and company left off, another solid effort from beginning to end. The new songs fit in well with their classic tracks in concert, too.
Recommended tracks: "Failure," "Angels Fall," "The Great Divide."

Higher Truth by Chris Cornell
Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell's fourth studio album is mostly acoustic based, and according to Cornell, is a more personal album than any of his previous efforts. It's a step back from his electric band efforts, but is well worth the listen - a nice diversion for us Cornell fans who are patiently awaiting the next Soundgarden studio album.
Recommended tracks: "Nearly Forgot my Broken Heart," "Josephine," "Let Your Eyes Wander.

Rivals by Coal Chamber
While I'm not a huge fan of this band, I'm glad I was able to see them play with Sevendust live in concert a couple of years ago. The energy from their live shows is evident in this disc, and it's nice to see them mix it up a little. Well worth a few spins until their next show!
Recommended tracks: "I.O.U. Nothing," "Light in the Shadows," "Another Nail in the Coffin."

Immortalized by Disturbed
One of Sevendust's tour crew told me last year that Disturbed would be back soon, and they were definitely back in full force this year with a solid release for their rabid fan base. I've been a casual fan of them for a while, and it's nice to hear them add more of a pop element at times to some of their songs for the less dedicated fans. Plenty of heavy songs for the diehards on here too!
Recommended tracks: "Immortalized," "The Light," "The Sound of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel cover)"

Got Your Six by Five Finger Death Punch
One of those bucket list bands that I finally got to see live this year at Northern Invasion, the guys released their new album this fall. While lacking the same energy as their previous two releases, there's still some good riffs and melodies on this disc. Not an essential disc, but worth checking out if you're a 5FDP fan.
Recommended tracks: "Jekyll and Hyde," "Wash it all Away," "Digging my own Grave."

Saint Cecilia EP by Foo Fighters
One of the most pleasant releases this year was the free 5-song EP that the Foo Fighters released after Thanksgiving. Some of the songs on this EP are stronger than ones on their most recent studio album Sonic Highways. It's still a free download or you can order a copy of the EP on vinyl, too.
Recommended tracks: "Saint Cecilia," "Sean," "The Neverending Sigh."

Into The Wild Life by Halestorm
I wasn't a huge Halestorm fan before I saw them at Northern Invasion this spring, but after I saw their live show, I decided to give this album a try. Formulaic rock and roll at points, but the strong vocals by Lzzy Hale and some clever guitar pieces kept my attention throughout.
Recommended tracks: "Amen," "I Am The Fire," "New Modern Love."

Montage of Heck by Kurt Cobain
I just picked this album up, which is the soundtrack to a documentary film about the late Nirvana frontman. Definitely not an essential pickup, but worth a few listens for the serious Nirvana fans. Interesting to hear some of the demos on here of well-known Nirvana classics.
Recommended tracks: "Been a Son (demo)," "Sappy (demo)," "Frances Farmer Will Have her Revenge on Seattle (demo)."

VII: Sturm and Drang by Lamb of God
The first Lamb of God album that I've ever owned, and one that's grown on me with each listen. Well written lyrics and some surprisingly good melodies for this metal album keep it in my rotation. Definitely worth buying for any Randy Blythe fans or just someone who wants a break from FM rock radio.
Recommended tracks: "Still Echoes," "Erase This," "Embers."

Awaken the Fire by Like a Storm
I bought this album after seeing the New Zealand natives perform at the Park in Fridley, MN, and I have to admit that the didgeridoo works well with some of the electric rock songs on this album. A fun band to hear live and headbang to their album to while driving around town.
Recommended tracks: "Love the Way You Hate Me," "Become the Enemy," "Gangster's Paradise (cover)".

The Awakening by P.O.D.
Another of those bucket list bands that I finally got to see live at the Taste of Minnesota this summer, this was the first album by the San Diego natives that I actually purchased. A little different and not quite as heavy as their earlier efforts, but still worth adding to the dedicated fan's collection. Very positive messages in their songs, too!
Recommended tracks: "This Goes Out to You," "Rise of NWO," "Speed Demon."

Up by Pop Evil
Another band that's been on my radar as a casual fan, I decided to pick up their album after hearing them live for the first time at Rockfest in Cadott, WI this summer. A good effort, something for them to build on with future efforts. Still not a huge fan, but at least this album helped me appreciate their musicianship a bit more.
Recommended tracks: "Footsteps," "Take It All," "Dead in the Water."

Saint Asonia by Saint Asonia
While I never was a big fan of lead singer Adam Gontier's previous band 3 Days Grace, I did admire him as a vocalist and was surprised to hear of his new "super-group" featuring Corey Lowery (Eye Empire/Stereomud) on bass guitar and Mike Mushok (Staind). I really liked this album, and will definitely have to check out their live show one of these days! A very solid debut album!
Recommended tracks: "Better Place," "Live My Life," "Leaving Minnesota."

Calamity Scars and Memoirs by Seasons After
I can't say enough good things about my friends in Seasons After, a bunch of hard-working, gritty and honest musicians from Kansas. I first saw them play live at Hipps Pub in Eau Claire, WI this past April, and their great songs and powerful performance hooked me as a fan for life! Just some reasons why I'm glad to support these guys (and the fact that I'm on a first name basis with the dudes doesn't hurt either)! I highly recommend picking up this album and catching them on tour in a city near you - I promise you won't be disappointed!
Recommended tracks: "Lights Out," "So Long Goodbye," "Weathered and Worn."

Kill the Flaw by Sevendust
I don't know what else I can say about the guys' 10th electric studio album. I've been impressed by this album ever since I first got to hear it at the studio hang at Architekt Studios in Butler, NJ this past September. The guys are back in full force, with a ton of energy and swagger on this album. Lajon's melodies shine through, Clint, John and Vinny excel on guitar, and Morgan is spot on with his drumming. This album has been in my car CD player every since I first got a copy in October, and it won't be leaving any time soon-probably not until their next release, anyway!
Recommended tracks: "Thank You," "Death Dance," "Kill the Flaw."

Threat to Survival by Shinedown
I've been a Shinedown fan since their debut album, but I have to say that I was disappointed by this album. It lacks the energy and enthusiasm of their previous efforts, and it almost seems like a rush job. There are some good songs, but it really hasn't held my attention after multiple listens.
Recommended tracks: "Outcast," "Oblivion," "Black Cadillac."

Cauterize by Tremonti
The second solo album by Alter Bridge/Creed lead guitarist Mark Tremonti was one of the albums this year that was well worth waiting for. One of my favorite modern guitarists, I was happy that I was also able to hear some of these tracks live with friends a few months ago! A very solid effort. I wasn't originally a big fan of Tremonti's vocals, but they have grown on me and I think have actually improved, especially on this album.
Recommended tracks: "Radical Change," "Cauterize," "Flying Monkeys."

Well there you have it-my last blog post of 2015! Have a very happy and safe New Year everyone, and I'll be back writing about more great music and shows in 2016!