Metal

Beyond SXSW, Bonnaroo, and Coachella are some other notable festivals this year. Read on to find out which of the four fests previewed in this article that beloved artists and groups like Bob Dylan, Ozzy, Slayer, Megadeth, Iggy Pop, At the Drive-In, Queens of the Stone Age, The Pixies, Weezer, Muse, and others will be rockin'.

'Turbo' has its flaws but it should still be appreciated as the distinct, experimental nugget full of party rockers that it is. The real gem of this three-CD edition, however, is the 20-track live show from May 22, 1986 that makes up the latter two discs.

These are in no particular order, except for this first one, my vote for song of 2016, at least for guitar. After listening to Joe Bonamassa's blistering, searing solo, you will not forget it anytime soon.

As for the music of 2016, there was the usual amount of "meh" mixed in with a host of impressive releases. Certainly, there were no game-changers that I heard. (Sorry Kanye and Kendrick.)

More than 20 years into its professional recording career, the Deftones are still killing the (alt-metal) competition - 'Gore' slays, and it features Alice in Chains guitar wizard Jerry Cantrell. Need I say more?

Brownout finds the little nooks and crannies of the soulful and funky undercurrents in the heaviness of Black Sabbath songs and fleshes them out with some greasy horns, nearly hypnotic percussion, and much more psychedelic improv than you might think. If you love Black Sabbath, you will dig this unique covers album tremendously.

For weeks I’ve been listening to the new 'A Decade of Dio: 1983-1993' box set from Rhino Entertainment and regretting time lost. As opposed to the usual “greatest hits” collection approach to a box set with interspersed unreleased alternate takes, 'Decade' is simply the first six albums from Ronnie James Dio’s solo career, remastered and repackaged with some amazing new artwork from longtime Dio cover artist, Marc Sasso.

Newly released in standalone DVD and digital formats, the band's final show with founding keyboardist Jon Lord includes classic hits – "Woman from Tokyo," "Highway Star," "Hush," "Space Truckin'," and of course "Smoke on the Water."

Babymetal's fan base is understandably devout and they are growing with each show and each album. Don't be surprised if by next year they are headlining their own nights at music festivals worldwide. If you have the chance to see them, do not pass it up.

Pentagram's resurgence and growing popularity in recent years is rooted in one basic fact: They are one of the pioneers of "American" hard rock/heavy metal. And it all began with these two compilations of their earliest material, recorded between 1972-1976, now newly remastered with full lyrics, band history and some rare mixes. Basically, it is hard rock heaven.