Daniel Willis

Rock from Friendship Commanders and Liam St. John, covers by Lettuce and Structure Sounds, and American Idol alum Rayvon Owen.

As a showcase for Babymetal, a love letter to metal and a platform to grow the genre during its global rebirth, "Metal Forth" is a success.

Heavy metal band Bloodywood evolved a lot to get to its tour with Babymetal and sophomore album "Nu Delhi" It's not done yet.

The Zac Schultz Gang sends us blues rock from the U.K., Nuclear Daisies evoke sci-fi movie raves, Nicki Bluhm channels the Dead, and more.

The darkness of Katatonia, Wisp's sweet vocals, Bones Shredder's pop hooks, M.U.T.T.'s barebones old-school punk and more.

"Let All That We Imagine Be the Light" by Garbage builds optimism, encourages us to hope and build without shying away from why we need it.

Chuck D, without the collaboration and expectations of Public Enemy, shows that he's still an all-time great lyricist on "Radio Armageddon."

Ghost has thrived on reinvention, but "Skeletá" revisits the genres and sounds Tobias Forge has dabbled in through the years to great effect.

Dustin Douglas & the Electric Gentlemen, Dropsonic and Gasoline Lollipops bring the rock; Mobley brings the throwback soul.

Clipping.'s 'Dead Channel Sly' is more than the sum of its parts; a concept album that doesn't sacrifice musical quality for the big picture.