The 2016 rock nominees is quite dominated by fierce female forces, which is unlikely for a typically male-dominated field. TUA favorite St. Vincent took home a big win in this category last year (as predicted), but the competition for this year’s rock nominees are much harder to forecast (see 2015 list here).

Best Rock Performance (Category 12)
Alabama Shakes – “Don’t Wanna Fight”
Florence + The Machine – “What Kind Of Man”
Foo Fighters – “Something From Nothing”
Elle King – “Ex’s & Oh’s”
Wolf Alice – “Moaning Lisa Smile”

Who Should Win: Elle King – “Ex’s & Oh’s”

Who Will Win: Alabama Shakes – “Don’t Wanna Fight”

Although Elle King’s been bubbling under the radar for the last few years, her debut mainstream single “Ex’s & Oh’s” became a huge Billboard Top 10 hit. Despite matching Elle’s chart performance, Alabama Shakes’ “Don’t Wanna Fight” packs just a bit more of a #rockperformancepunch here that should be more than enough to secure a victory.

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Best Metal Performance (Category 13)
August Burns Red – “Identity”
Ghost – “Cirice”
Lamb Of God – “512”
Sevendust – “Thank You”
Slipknot – “Custer”

Who Should Win: Sevendust – “Thank You”

Who Will Win: Slipknot – “Custer”

Atlanta alt-metal band Sevendust are one of the most criminally underrated rock acts around even on the heels of the 11th album. While “Thank You” is impressive, Slipknot hasn’t won a Grammy in a decade despite being nominated over ten times. Expect “Custer” to barely edge out “Thank You” for the win in this category.

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Best Rock Song – Songwriter’s Award (Category 14)
Alabama Shakes – “Don’t Wanna Fight”
Songwriters: Alabama Shakes
Elle King – “Ex’s & Oh’s”
Songwriters: Dave Bassett and Elle King
James Bay – “Hold Back The River”
Songwriters: Iain Archer and James Bay
Highly Suspect – “Lydia”
Songwriters: Richard Meyer, Ryan Meyer, and Johnny Stevens
Florence + The Machine – “What Kind Of Man”
Songwriters: John Hill, Tom Hull, and Florence Welch

Who Should Win: Florence + The Machine – “What Kind Of Man”

Who Will Win: Florence + The Machine – “What Kind Of Man”

There’s no denying that this category is one that’s always packed with the most talent, but Florence Welch’s songwriting is top notch compared to everyone else in this category. “Sometimes you’re half in, and then you’re half out, but you never close the door” is quite possibly the most powerful verse by Flo to date, and “What Kind Of Man” deserves to win for these lyrics alone.

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Best Rock Album (Category 15)
James Bay – ‘Chaos And The Calm’
Death Cab For Cutie – ‘Kintsugi’
Highly Suspect – ‘Mister Asylum’
Muse – ‘Drones’
Slipknot – ‘The Gray Chapter’

Who Should Win: James Bay – ‘Chaos And The Calm’

Who Will Win: Highly Suspect – ‘Mister Asylum’

James Bay’s first album ‘Chaos And The Calm’ is a beautiful marriage between Americana and rock/pop heralded by the set’s successful single “Hold Back The River”. While the single went platinum before James’ debut hit stores, Highly Suspect’s second album is also a great showing from a rock trio. This category’s really hard to call given veterans like Death Cab For Cutie and Muse also on the list, but I’m hoping this will be James’ big break.

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Best Alternative Music Album (Category 16)
Alabama Shakes – ‘Sound & Color’
Björk – ‘Vulnicura’
My Morning Jacket – ‘The Waterfall’
Tame Impala – ‘Currents’
Wilco – ‘Star Wars’

Who Should Win: Tame Impala – ‘Currents’

Who Will Win: Alabama Shakes – ‘Sound & Color’

The best alternative music category gave the Grammys a one-up in its credibility department by awarding its first female ever (St. Vincent) at the 2015 awards ceremony. It’s likely that Alabama Shakes will win this category if they are shut out from the Big Four, but it would be great for Tame Impala to surprise the Foundation with their first win.