Columbus, Ohio hard rockers Daymare will be releasing their full-length debut in 2017. This year the band released a six-track EP and toured regionally. Daymare will end 2016 supporting southern California punk band Face To Face on Nov. 12 at The Basement, and The Struts at the 105.7 the X-mas Party on Dec. 9 at Express Live in Columbus.

1. The Black Queen, Fever Daydream (Universal Music Australia)

Side project from members of The Dillinger Escape Plan and NIN. Someone finally took the whole tired synthpop craze and did something right with it. Unapologetic ’80s feel right from the start. If the score of Stranger Things bumped just a little harder, you would get something like this. Standout tracks: “Ice To Never,” “The End Where We Start.”

2. Face To Face, Protection (Fat Wreck Chords)

What can you really say about a new F2F record besides it’s fast, concise, and fun as hell? Scott Shiflett’s bass playing always was and still is a force to be reckoned with. Standout tracks: “Fourteen Fifty Nine,” “I Won’t Say I’m Sorry.”

3. The Dillinger Escape Plan, Dissociation (Party Smasher/Cooking Vinyl)

News of Dillinger breaking up immediately bummed a lot of people out, but at least we got this record out of it. “Limerent Death” might be the nastiest thing they’ve ever laid down.

4. Black Map, …And We Explode (MINUS HEAD)

Technically released in 2014, but this is MY top ten of 2016, right?! Members of Far, Dredg, and The Trophy Fire. Sonically it’s HUGE, the songs are top notch, and the musicianship is just ridiculous. Standout tracks: “Gold,” “Stranger.”

5. Biffy Clyro, Ellipsis (14th Floor)

Bit of an art record for Biffy which doesn’t explain things much I guess. But listen to “Wolves of Winter” and “Re-Arrange”. You’ll get it.

6. Jimmy Eat World, Integrity Blues (RCA)

As an admitted superfan of Jim Adkins’ songwriting I wasn’t very blown away by 2013’s Damage, but this is a nice return to form. It has all the sticky sweet pop hooks and big guitars that everyone loves about this band. Standout tracks: “You With Me,” “Get Right.”

7. Chevelle, The North Corridor (Epic)

This band tends to get unfairly lumped in with some really insufferable ones, and it’s unfortunate. This record makes me think of Will Haven and Helmet far more so than Disturbed or Five Finger Death Punch. Super solid effort from Chevelle. Standout tracks: “Last Days,” “Door To Door Cannibals.”

8. Helmet, Dead To The World (earMUSIC)

Speaking of Helmet, Page put out a new record this year too. It’s fresh off the presses and I’m still digesting, but so far it’s brave to say the least. A big middle finger to those who insist they keep churning out Betty or Meantime after all these years.

9. Metallica, Hardwired…to Self-Destruct (Blackened Recordings)

That’s right. Metallica made my top ten list. Holy shit. I haven’t even HEARD this full record as it’s not released until November 18, but the three songs released thus far have convinced me this thing is going to slay. The first offering from Metallica since 1991 that I’ve been excited about. What I’ve heard is like…Ride The Lightning level good.

10. Deftones, Gore (Reprise)

One word describes it best: polarizing. People loved it and people hated it. I tried to not be so black/white about it and appreciate it for the bold artistic steps that are shown off here. It’s not Around The Fur Part II and it shouldn’t be. It sounds massive and it’s exactly the record they needed to put out this year. Standout tracks: “Prayers/Triangles,” “Doomed User.”
(Visit DAYMARE here: https://www.facebook.com/daymareband.)