Top 5 of 2015

  1. AWOLNATION: Runawolnation-run-album-cover





2. Delta Rae: After It All






3. Dead Sara: Pleasure to Meet Youdead sara

Another relatively unknown hard rock act, Dead Sara is basically Kurt Cobain meets Janis Joplin, or that’s how I like to describe them. Fronted by two female powerhouses, vocalist Emily Armstrong and guitarist Siouxsie Medley, this band out of L.A. has a raw, electric and intense sound that grabs and doesn’t let go. “Weatherman” introduced the world to Dead Sara in 2013 and got me hooked, but Pleasure to Meet You defies the sophomore slump with the band incorporating more into their sound than ever.

The album kicks off strong with “Suicidal,” which is one of my favorite tracks with my favorite lyrics (“We’re suicidal, come on raise your Bible and we’ll laugh like idiots together.”) The energy doesn’t stop throughout the entire album, though it does slow down a bit for “Something Good,” which is unlike anything Dead Sara have ever done, a bluesy feel-good track that is perfect for driving down the highway with the windows down in summertime (or any time.) “Radio One Two” is hands down my favorite song here, with its punk influences and lyrics one can’t help but think are aimed at popular radio (“Radio one two, where’ve we gone to? I hear the static in our ears, so silent.”) The closing track “For You I Am” can only be described as epic, with Armstrong pushing her vocals to the very limit and bleeding emotion through the speakers.

Best tracks: “Radio One Two,” “For You I Am,” “Mona Lisa”

4. Breaking Benjamin: Dark Before Dawn


After a long (long, long) hiatus due to unfortunate legal stuff, Breaking Benjamin finally returned in 2015 with Dark Before Dawn. Lead single “Failure” broke records within minutes, and rightfully so, with its throwback sound to the band’s earlier work, yet still remaining fresh and modern.

Dawn showcases front man Benjamin Burnley’s unique voice and his ability to push his vocals from melodic and soft (“Ashes of Eden”) to aggressive and heavy (“Breaking the Silence”) and everything in between. Burnley is the only original member left in the band, but the new backing band fills the shoes of their predecessors impressively.

Best tracks: “Defeated,” “Ashes of Eden,” “Failure”

5. Von Grey: Panophobia

von grey

Consisting of four ridiculously talented sisters from Atlanta, Georgia, Von Grey released this EP in early 2015 to critical praise. Von Grey’s sound is unique and engaging, with distinct vocals and musicianship to rival an orchestra.

All four sisters are classically trained, from the violin to the cello to the mandolin and just about any other instrument you could think of, and they blend perfectly with the delicate yet powerful vocals of Petra, Fiona, Annika and Kathryn von Grey.

Lead track and single “Katie” is the song that got me hooked on this band, leading off with their signature harmonies and delving into a subject that is not often talked about: domestic abuse. It’s a powerful and moving song and sets the tone for the rest of the EP, including  the haunting “Cyclical Dreams.”

Look out for this band, one day they will be huge!

Best tracks: “Katie,” “Cyclical Dreams,” “Forever Bound”

Runners up:

Muse: Drones

Imagine Dragons: Smoke & Mirrors

The Airborne Toxic Event: Dope Machines

The Neighborhood: Wiped Out

Dommin: Rise


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