2015 brought music fans a lot of great new releases. From major label debuts to super groups and unsigned artists, we’ve put together our list of the top 10 for 2015. You’ve got gift cards for the holidays – it’s time to use em and we’re here to help!
Meg Myers – Sorry
Originally from right here in sunny south Florida (despite how much she loves to boast being from Tennessee and California, (she cut her musical teeth from West Palm to Miami), Ms. Myers major label debut features tracks from her independent EP releases (Make A Shadow, Daughter in the Choir), as well as new cuts that have crossed over in appeal from rock fans and the indie/hipster crowd. An impressive disc with impassioned vocals that bring to mind Fiona Apple, this is a disc you need to check out.
New Year’s Day – Malevolence
It’s no secret we here at SFL have been long-time supporters of New Year’s Day. Led by vocalist/mastermind Ashley Costello, Malevolence is the next chapter in the outfits’ evolution that has progressed magnificently with each disc. From opening track and first single, “Kill or be Killed,” to the disc closing title track, this is one of those very rare ‘all killer-no filler’ albums rock fans boast about.
Tremonti – Cauterize
The Creed/Alter Bridge guitarist lets loose on his sophomore solo effort with co-guitarist Eric Freidman, rhino Garrett Whitlock and Wolfgang Van Halen rounding out the band to create more of band effort disc that proves to be an impressive follow-up to 2012’s thrash heavy debut. The band stretches out a bit on cool cuts such as the upbeat “Sympathy,” and the eerie to slow burn of “Dark Trip,” but doesn’t forget where the bread is buttered on “Flying Monkeys” and “Tie the Noose.”
Saint Asonia – Saint Asonia
When the nucleus of your band is driven by former Three Days Grace vocalist Adam Gontier and Staind guitarist Mike Mushok it’s no wonder the term ‘super group’ gets thrown around with this band. With a rhythm section that includes former Finger Eleven drummer Rich Beddoe and bassist Corey Lowery of Dark New Day, Saint Asonia has crafted an incredible disc that is as heavy and melodic as it is full of heart. First single, “Better Place” brings you in while the upbeat and sludgy “Blow Me Wide Open” and “Let me Live My Life,” keep your attention in a way that only these musicians could.
Dharmata – Cycles
It’s been a long time since a band has been as so well celebrated and loved like West Palm’s own Dharmata. After teasing the tracks that would compile Cycles for quite some time on the live stage, fans got their taste of the real deal in April this year. With soaring melodies on “Better View,” “Chemicals,” and the ironically titled final single “Here and Gone,” it’s a shame that June brought the bands final performance only leaving fans with many a memory and albums we can burn out until the end of time.
Breaking Benjamin – Dark Before the Dawn
Frontman Ben Burnley came back with a vengeance in 2015 with an all-new lineup and a far from disappointing disc to boot. Focusing more on song craft then heaviness, Dark Before the Dawn is chock full of songs that don’t mess around with much filler and bring out many a memorable melody.
Shinedown – Threat to Survival
Though not quite a rock record in the vein of the bands previous efforts, Shinedown quietly returned with a more experimental album careening with singalongs like “Asking for It,” and “State of My Head,” while still bringing the aggression on “Cut the Cord.”
Failure – The Heart Is A Monster
With the dirge of “Hot Traveler” it was evident Failure was back and with an album that so perfectly fit as a matched bookend to 1996’s now classic Fantastic Planet. Definitely one of the more celebrated comeback albums in recent memory, The Heart is a Monster followed the same cloth as past efforts with magnificent interludes and songs that oozed as much rock as they did an undeniable sexiness.
Carrie Underwood – Storyteller
Though generally considered more country pop, Carrie Underwood brings out yet another album full of tunes ranging from wedding dance to heartbreak with Storyteller. Besides your usual country fodder, there’s always the feel good singalong hit repeat tracks you get with “Smoke Break,” and “Heartbeat.”
Elisum – Shoreline
After finally giving us an area show last December, our former South Floridian friends in Elisium came back with the hard rocking Shoreline. The Tool on steroids title track gets the head going and fist pumping, the instrumental “Megaman” brings the groove with the emotion brought on “Covered in Notes.” If you somehow haven’t heard of this band, at least look them up (and get the spelling right) on Youtube to check out what you’ve been missing.