There are few phrases in the music industry that have been as widely repeated or as widely debated as the declaration that "rock is dead." The basis for the statement is not hard to trace. With the past decade seeing the increasing rise of heavily electronic-leaning pop and EDM, alongside hip hop's surge towards the mainstream, a quick flip through any city's radio stations will tell the same story: rock and roll isn't in the mainstream spotlight much these days.

However, as a longtime fan and follower of heavy music, my position on the subject would be that rock isn't dead-- it's evolving. You may not catch rock being lauded at industry award shows or capturing the radio airwaves the same way it did in the 90s. But the spirit of rock and roll has always been to ignore the mandates of the system, and that spirit lives on through countless bands (many of them now independent) who are putting in the hard work and artistic effort needed to keep rock alive and thriving in its own unique way.

Here are five proofs that rock and roll isn't dead in 2016.

1. Lacey Sturm's Life Screams
The former Flyleaf frontwoman's first solo effort, released on February 12, opens 2016 with definitive proof that it's still possible to make an unabashed rock record. Heavy music has always had a striking ability to explore the darkest parts of our souls, a characteristic Lacey has embraced in order to bring the light of hope into those moments. Life Screams epitomizes the redemptive potential in rock and roll, offering some adrenaline-inducing screams and full-bodied gritty guitar riffs along the way.

2. The City Rockfest Tour
Now in its second year, Seventh Day Slumber's City Rockfest Tour shows that fans will still show up to see an all rock lineup-- and they'll show up in force. Headlined by Disciple both years, the tour's 2015 venture saw countless packed venues throughout its three month run. Just few weeks into this year's tour, the lineup of Disciple, Seventh Day Slumber, Decyfer Down, Spoken and Children 18:3 has already been drawing the crowds across the southern states. To grab your own ticket, go to http://seventhdayslumber.com/.

3. Skillet's "Monster" Goes Double Platinum
The news recently broke that Skillet's "Monster," a single from their smash hit 2009 album Awake, recently surpassed 2 million digital sales, making it the most successful digital single in Christian music history. In a world where music sales are down across the board, the feat is a truly impressive one. Additionally, the YouTube views on the music video are currently at a staggering 137 million, proving the aggressive song's staying power. It's just the beginning of what 2016 will hold for Skillet: the veteran hard rockers have a new album due out later this year, and the fact that they're returning to work with Comatose producer Brian Howes has fans speculating that this may be their heaviest release in years.

4. Heavy Moments Highlight Winter Jam and Rock & Worship Roadshow
The two biggest tours in Christian music, Winter Jam and the Rock & Worship Roadshow, both boast moments of pure rock and roll this year. Family Force 5's set at The Roadshow includes some of their more aggressive party rock tracks, including an over the top performance of "Cray Button" and a nod to early hit "Love Addict." RED's set on Winter Jam is an evening highlight, boasting incredible set pieces, costumes and enough pyro to warm up even the coldest northern venues. Although most of the bill those evenings is on the softer side, the rock acts stand out, gathering one of the stronger crowd reactions of the night.

5. Rock Holds Its Own On the Release Schedule
After a seemingly endless drought in 2015 punctuated by a scant handful of releases (primarily EPs) that barely got rockers by, 2016 holds several heavyweight projects from rock and roll's elite. Thousand Foot Krutch's EXHALE (the heavier counterpart to 2014's OXYGEN: INHALE) is due in May, and Disciple, Decyfer Down, Seventh Day Slumber and previously mentioned Skillet all have releases slated for later this year. Even on the alt rock spectrum, new albums from The Rocket Summer, Relient K and Switchfoot will all drop before July. A lineup like that is hard to argue with: the future is bright, and rock and roll is very much alive.