The 10 most anticipated albums (for the rest) of 2016

So far this week we’ve brought you the best songs and albums of the first half of 2016. Now we’re looking ahead to the 10 records you need to keep an eye out for during the year’s remaining six months; you do not want to sleep on these LPs.

A Day To Remember – Bad Vibrations

Not only has A Day To Remember’s frontman Jeremy McKinnon compared the band’s new album to For Those Who Have Heart, but he also said it’s heavier than their last three records combined. And judging by the first two singles—”Paranoia” and “Bad Vibrations”—he’s not wrong. This record is going to change the way a lot of people see A Day To Remember, all the while catapulting them even further into scene stardom. —Tyler Sharp

Avenged Sevenfold – TBA

Avenged Sevenfold’s unrelenting determination has given us consistently monstrous albums for well over a decade, even as so many bands, sub-genres and trends come and go in their wake. A7X’s early bravado proved prescient, with a staying power and consistent quality of output that long ago demonstrated their appeal extends beyond the model good looks each of them grew into and the spider-fingered shred of dueling axemen Zacky Vengeance and Synyster Gates. M. Shadows is among the best vocalists around when it comes to the type of mixture of hard rock, metal and hardcore that’s capable of building a bridge from Orange County across Warped Tour, Ozzfest, Active Rock Radio and truthfully, everywhere in the world that responds to a sick riff and a pounding kick drum. Speaking of which, the addition of Brooks Wackerman (Bad Religion, the Vandals, Bad4Good) is nothing but awesome. In many ways, each A7X record has been better than the last (even if the 2007 self-titled record remains my personal favorite). Admittedly, 2013’s Hail To The King was perhaps a tad too indulgent of the band’s influences, but truth be told, when those influences are metal monoliths like Metallica and Megadeth, and it takes that sound to the top of the charts, why complain? —Ryan J. Downey

Bad Suns – Disappear Here

Alt-rockers Bad Suns have been likened to the 1975, though their debut record, Language & Perspective, proved that they have what it takes to stand on their own. Their synth-laden tracks and smooth vocals are bound to make a statement with their upcoming release, set to drop Sept. 16. —Maggie Dickman

Bayside – Vacancy

With so many great bands releasing music later this year (Every Time I Die, Billy Talent, Capsize), choosing a most anticipated release was tough. But then again, it wasn't. Bayside are at the top of the list of my favorite bands, so naturally I'm most excited for the world to hear Vacancy. Get ready for some dynamic theatrical punk rock. Aug. 19 can't come soon enough. —Rabab Al-Sharif

Dashboard Confessional – TBA

The last Dashboard double-dose record was released in 2009, so “most anticipated album” is an understatement by now. Chris Carrabba took some detours with Further Seems Forever and Twin Forks, telling us his Dashboard would be back when he felt it. That all started happening last year on tour with Third Eye Blind. Carrabba had never sounded better—and seems to be reverse aging for that matter. If the new song he's performing on Taste Of Chaos, “Heart Beat Here,” is any indication, the upcoming record will be classic Carrabba emo. —Brian Kraus

The Dillinger Escape Plan – TBA

Dillinger Escape Plan frontman Greg Puciato has been climbing personal artistic highs with mainstream metal (Killer Be Killed) and compelling, next-level electronic/industrial rock (the Black Queen). DEP founder/guitar fulcrum Ben Weinman looks poised to achieve similar visibility with his all-star band Giraffe Tongue Orchestra. So where do all of these dalliances leave the mighty DEP? This writer is betting on a more unhinged, hateful and even more uncompromising release that's the aural equivalent of a dead man's switch on an IED. People, we live in bleak times, and it is the responsibility of a generation's art to convey the psychic cultural climate. Who better to convey that than the crew who have pushed their minds, bodies and vision harder than the legion of hard-rock careerists ever have? Besides, a new DEP record is still safer than falling into a crucible of molten tungsten. —Jason Pettigrew

Moose Blood – Blush

Armed with their pristine debut album I’ll Keep You In Mind, From Time To Time, U.K.’s Moose Blood said hello to the States for the first time last summer on Warped Tour. Less than a year later, and Moose Blood have signed to Hopeless Records, readying to release their sophomore LP, Blush, in August. The ideal is for Blush to maintain the organic charm from I’ll Keep You In Mind while elevating Moose Blood’s beautifully simple tracks to the next level. If “Honey” and “Knuckles” are any indication, Blush will keep those promises, plus some. —Caitlyn Ralph

Sum 41 – 13 Voices

Comebacks be damned—”Fake My Own Death,” the first single off of Sum's forthcoming record, would lead you to believe they never left. I'm not one of those pop-punk kids who paid my dues with New Found Glory and Blink-182 and back-catalogs, but it doesn't take a history lesson to know that Sum 41's album will be well worth the wait. —Kika Chatterjee

Waterparks – TBA

Waterparks simply will not let us live. They’ve been teasing about recording a new album and allegedly finished it right before they headed out on Warped Tour. We’re hoping it comes out this fall—and maybe vocalist Awsten Knight’s beef with DJ Khaled will peak and they’ll release an entire LP of diss tracks. —Mackenzie Hall

Young The Giant – Home Of The Strange

California-based Young The Giant creates strong anthems, and their single “Amerika” is a prime example. It tells the tale of a quest, accompanied by light traces of an xylophone and a steady drum beat. It’s simple, but singer Sameer Gadhia’s vocal range on lines like “I’ve been looking for so long, in Amerika” transforms the song from coffeeshop music to athletic warm-up jam. Home Of The Strange, the band’s third album, will be an album that anyone can sink their teeth into. —Kiley Wellendorf