Continuing our summary of the great and the good (and the not so good) from 2016, our writer and photographer Connor Morris takes his turn to step up to the plate with his 2016 End of Year Awards. Over to you Connor!
1) Album Of The Year – Touche Amore – Stage Four
In a year with so many incredible albums it was hard to choose which was the best, however, Touche Amore have edged it by releasing the best and possibly saddest album of 2016. One of the most anticipated albums of the year for me was ‘Stage Four’. After the absolute masterpiece that was “Is Survived By”, it was unlikely that Touche Amore were going to top it. It’s rare that you find an album that can make you stop what you’re doing entirely and really listen to it. Whether it’s the lyrics or the pain in Jeremy Bolm’s voice, this album will have you on the verge of tears by the end of it.
Honourable mentions:
Oathbreaker – Rheia
Architects – All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us
PUP – The Dream Is Over
Paerish – Semi Finalists
The Dillinger Escape Plan – Dissociation
2) Song of the year – Creeper – Misery
In the short time that Creeper have been a band they have released 3 EP’s and already have a small back catalogue of anthems that could rival the biggest of rock bands. With the release of the ‘The Stranger’ this year and songs for next years ‘Eternity, In Your Arms’ being released it was hard to choose which Creeper song was song of the year considering the strength of songs like ‘Black Mass’ and ‘Hiding With Boys’, but ultimately it had to be ‘Misery’. Whilst probably their slowest song, it’s still as catchy as all the fast paced ones and crescendos beautifully in such a way that you can’t help but want to sing along to it. The is song was crafted for big crowds and you can expect this to be a staple in their setlist from now on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT70cwkK0gA
Honourable mentions:
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes – Snake Eyes
Architects – Nihilist
letlive. – Foreign Cab Rides
Panic! At The Disco – LA Devotee
Bury Tomorrow – Last Light
3) Music video of the year – JPNSGRLS – Oh My God
By no means does this video have the biggest production or the best story line, but it has a certain charm to it that I just love. It’s all done in one shot, there’s humour, slow motion, action and good music. Just watch it!
Honourable mentions:
Biffy Clyro – Wolves Of Winter
While She Sleeps – Hurricane
Bring Me The Horizon – Follow You
Oathbreaker – 10:56 / Second Son of R
Architects – Gone With The Wind
4) Gig of the year – Architects / Bury Tomorrow / Stick To Your Guns – Manchester Academy
This line up in combination with the absolute masterpiece that was ‘All Our God’s Have Abandoned Us’ always had tour of the year written all over it. However, a few months later it became so much more than just the tour of a fantastic album. It became a celebration of the life of the late Tom Searle who played guitar for Architects before passing away in August. Architects played their largest headline shows to date whilst it was sometimes difficult to process, they managed to give unforgettable performances night after night in the way only Architects could after suffering such a loss. As soon as that curtain dropped before opening with ‘Nihilist’ it was clear everyone was in for something special and one of the most emotional performances I have ever witnessed..
Honourable Mentions:
Deftones / Black Peaks – Wembley Arena
While She Sleeps / Grains / Skies Are Dawning – Bolton, The Alma
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes / Wounds / Duelists – Belfast, Voodoo
Biffy Clyro / Brand New – Leeds, First Direct Arena
Every Time I Die / Drug Church / ‘68 – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
5) Festival performance of the year – Biffy Clyro – Leeds
This was easy because Biffy Clyro are literally one of the best live bands on the planet. People were expecting a great performance and stage show, but Biffy exceeded all expectations in their own Biffy when everyone saw the huge squares of LED lights that no one will be forgetting anytime soon.They played a great mixture of songs with the faster paced stuff like “That Golden Rule” and “On A Bang”, the huge sing-a-longs like “Many of Horror” and “Black Chandelier” and a much appreciated deeper cut with “57”. Biffy Clyro are at their best live and their Reading & Leeds performances were no different.
Honourable Mentions:
The Dillinger Escape Plan – Leeds
Crossfaith – Leeds
Frank Turner – Leeds
And So I Watch You From Afar – Belsonic
Modern Baseball – Leeds
6) Most disappointing album of the year – Blink-182 – California
I’d like to start by saying that by no means is “California” a bad album. After it was announced that Matt Skiba was going to be on the new album, I was excited to see what sort of input he’d have on the album. And whilst he might be peppered into it here and there, but it wasn’t enough to really make a big deal about. Ultimately, Blink-182 is the Tom, Mark and Travis show, and whilst California sounds more like Blink than Neighbours did, it’s just missing a certain something. And that something is that over-exaggerated American accent everyone does when singing along to ‘I Miss You’.
7) Band of the year – Architects
2016 was an extremely bittersweet year for Architects (perhaps more bitter than sweet) and is a year that none of them are likely to ever forget. The band released ”All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us” and what is quite possibly their best album in May, charting the highest they have ever done, with their biggest UK tour announcement to coincide. A few months later and Dan Searle posted a heartbreaking statement on the band’s social media announcing that his brother Tom had lost a 3 year battle against cancer. This is something that would have broken most bands. But not Architects. They pushed through and gave it their absolute all every night.
Honourable mentions:
Creeper
While She Sleeps
Biffy Clyro
8) Most Frustrating Band – Bring Me The Horizon
Bring Me The Horizon have never been a band known for their mind blowingly long set’s (a whopping 13 songs on their 2015 academy tour). No, much the opposite. I think everyone can agree that playing the same setlist on a string of tour dates is fair enough. But to use almost the exact same setlist a year later and increase it by two songs for an arena tour is a bit of a slap in the face to the fans when you’re charging almost £50 a pop, regardless of how pretty the stage looks. Especially with 5 albums under your belt. You could totally disregard ‘Count Your Blessing’ and ‘Suicide Season’ and still put together a setlist in keeping with the new material. It just feels a bit lazy. And you know what else is frustrating? PLAYING FUCKING ‘CRUCIFY ME’ ON THE FIRST NIGHT OF THE TOUR AND GETTING MY HOPES UP FOR THE REST.
While you are here, please check out the end of year awards from some of the rest of our team!
Jamie’s 2016 End Of Year Awards
Sam’s 2016 End Of Year Awards
Fran’s 2016 End Of Year Awards
James W’s 2016 End Of Year Awards
James H’s 2016 End Of Year Awards
Charlie’s 2016 End Of Year Awards
Rachael’s 2016 End Of Year Awards
