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Articles : Chris Reid’s Top Albums of 2017

By on December 20, 2017

Archspire – Relentless Mutation

Archspire is almost peerless in the way they write such memorable and musical arrangements without sacrificing their hallmark technicality and speed. The album has it all – Human Murmuration, Relentless Mutation, The Mimic Well and A Dark Horizontal all have an impressive range of moods and dynamics; ranging from spacey, mellow interludes to full-scale brutality. Tracks like Involuntary Doppelgänger, Remote Tumour Seeker & Calamus Will Animate are pretty much full throttle annihilation from start to finish. Close to a flawless album.

Leprous – Malina

An exceptionally strong album from one of the pack leaders in modern progressive music. Despite the catchiness of the vocal hooks Malina is a deceptively nuanced and complex release and offers enough variety to keep me coming back for more time and time again.

Pallbearer – Heartless

A really strong collection of well written, memorable tracks which have a classic vibe about them which belies the 2017 release date.  The entire collection of songs creates an atmosphere which I find quite addictive. This is the sort of album which you’ll have on repeat for weeks on end and keep coming back to over the years.

Hideous Divinity – Adveniens

A devastating collection of brutal/technical death metal from this Italian juggernaut. There is a depth to the songwriting which sets this album apart from most releases I’ve heard this year on the extreme end of the spectrum. Absolutely nothing to knock here.

Voyager – Ghost Mile

Ghost Mile is a phenomenal album and an accurate musical depiction of what Voyager is in 2017. Not only would I recommend it to listeners keen to get to know Voyager, I would recommend it to listeners keen to listen to Progressive Metal in general. The best new Australian release I’ve heard this year.

Power Trip – Nightmare Logic

My favourite Thrash Metal release from 2017. You’d be forgiven for thinking this album was cut back in 1987. Despite the nostalgic production quality, there’s no doubting that the album is packed with breakneck riffing and tangible aggression, something which is missing in most contemporary thrash releases.

Enslaved – E

Enslaved can do no wrong, and E is yet another great album from the Norwegians. If you’re looking for diverse, progressive metal with a vast range of dynamics look no further.

The Furor – Cavalries of The Occult

Where the Furor may have started out in the vein of more traditional black metal they have continually ramped up the over the top, extreme aspects of their sound over their career. Cavalries of the Occult sees the band achieve their most compelling mix of their hybrid black/death/thrash sound in what is clearly their most accomplished release to date.

Harlott – Extinction

People will always draw comparisons between Harlott and seminal bands like Slayer and Overkill because there is a clear influence,  but at some point, Harlott will have every right to grow tired of the comparisons because their albums can stand on their own two feet. Extinction continues to see the band step it up and will elevate Harlott’s standing in the genre.  2017 was a huge year for Aussie thrash metal releases and this is my favourite album of the bunch.

Sons of Apollo – Psycoptic Symphony

Perhaps the sentimental aspects of seeing Portnoy and Sherinian in a band again has elevated this album standing. Not an overly original or groundbreaking release,  but the musicianship is classy and there are some truly great moments – with tracks like God of The Sun and Opus Maximus on the disk I have no problems finding a position for this release in my top 10 albums.

About

Chris is a long time metal enthusiast and advocate for Australian heavy music scene. Chris grew up in Perth, Western Australia and is a past member of modern melodeath act Let's Kill Uncle. Currently residing in London, UK.