2017 showcased a plethora of fantastic Metal releases ranging from Metallic Hardcore to Stoner Metal to Sludge Metal to Black Metal, and so on. It was hard to narrow down a list of my favorites, but I felt fifteen was the appropriate cap.
#15)
Amenra–VI
The sixth installment of Belgian quintet Amenra‘s “Mass” series is just as dark and tormenting of an experiencing as fans might expect.
I got the chance to see these guys open for Neurosis and Converge over the summer and the experience proved to be just as theatrical and entrancing as I had hoped.
Amenra fit on the bill comfortably blending the chaotic horror of Converge with the layered, atmospheric nature of Neurosis.
#14)
Code Orange–Forever
My first post of 2017 featured a detailed review of this record, and it still holds up at the year’s conclusion.
While the record’s flow may not be as seamless as 2014’s I Am King, Forever is a punishing listen complimenting the chaos of early 2000s Metalcore acts such as Converge, Poison the Well, and Disembodied with the brutal Industrial tendencies of Godflesh or early Swans.
Some of the singles offer a more accessible sound reminiscent of 90s Alternative Rock yet still manage to fit in with the band’s overall sonic aesthetic.
It has been quite the experience seeing the group go from teenage punk rockers to Grammy-nominated Metal giants, and Forever solidifies their previously claimed spot on the throne.
#13)
Cloakroom–Time Well
Infusing pop-like tendencies with heavy metal styles on the normally less accessible end of the spectrum has begun to become commonplace. We saw it in 2013 with Deafheaven‘s Sunbather and again in 2014 with Pallbearer‘s Foundation of a Burden.
I could argue for days over whether or not the Indiana trio of factory workers known as Cloakroom should or should not fit into the category of Metal with their sophomore LP Time Well released this year on Relapse Records, but here they are on this list so get over it.
Cloakroom distances themselves from their emo fanbase found on Further Out– delivering ten droney, crushing tracks of what some may refer to as “Doom Pop.”
The tone here is earthy, muddy, and each member’s instrument sounds if it’s being played as loud and hard as possible.
I recommend these guys for fans of Alternative Rock acts such as Hum or Failure as well as atmospheric Post Metal acts such as Russian Circles (whom I happened to see them open for) or Pelican.
#12)
Bell Witch–Mirror Reaper
The third LP from Seattle-based Funeral Doom duo Bell Witch should only be listened to front to back.
Mirror Reaper is a one-track monolith exploring pure sorrow and surprisingly a faint glimmer of hope as the movements commence towards the finale.
There is no guitar to be found here, as Bell Witch have always managed to make their instruments sing as a drum and bass collective.
The record serves as a beautiful tribute to former Adrian Guerra exploring death and transcendence towards the afterlife.
As one might expect within the realm of the genre, it was a very slow-moving masterpiece. I do not recommend Mirror Reaper for anyone with a short attention span.
#11)
Unsane–Sterilize
New York based Alternative Metal/Noise Rock act Unsane have nothing to prove.
Their career has spanned almost three decades creating their own unique, punishing, sludgey take on Noise Rock along the lines of Sonic Youth or The Jesus Lizard.
Released through Southern Lord this year, Sterilize is the group’s eighth LP and first in five years.
It is undoubtedly the most poorly named release thus far, because it is dirty, fuzzy, and abrasive as ever.
#10)
Elder–Reflections of a Floating World
New England Stoner Rock trio, Elder, stray a bit from the traditional nostalgic doom sound in their latest record in favor of a more progressive, instrumentally impressive effort.
Reflections of a Floating World is an exciting, layered masterpiece with various guest musicians, long track lengths that do anything but bore the listener, and probably one of the best guitar tones I’ve heard produced.
#9)
YLVA–META
YLVA is a new Post Metal band hailing from Melbourne, Australia.
Their debut LP, META, is a powerfully devastating journey channeling the avant garde stylings of Neurosis and Isis (the band).
#8)
Spotlights–Seismic
Based out of New York, husband-and-wife duo Spotlights deliver a very unique assortment of genres with their latest LP Seismic.
I’m not often inclined to entertain the latest “Doom Pop” genre pigeonhole, but I’ll use it here.
Sarah and Mario Quientero proudly boast eleven tracks of pleasant yet crushing Doom calling upon Shoegazey walls of sound, crushing Sludge, and an ethereal, angelic vocal performance from both respected members.
Imagine if Deftones, Jesu, My Bloody Valentine, Hum, and Sleep invited your ear drums to a slumber party, but when the pillow fight is supposed to start they collectively opt to substitute pillows for massive slabs of concrete.
#7)
Kadavar–Rough Times
German Stoner Metal trio, Kadavar, strike again with their fourth LP.
“Rough Times” is a nostalgic dive into Classic Rock with the tone, groove, and hardened edges of modern Sludge.
#6)
Chelsea Wolfe–Hiss Spun
The queen is back, and I’m not talking about Beyoncé.
Chelsea Wolfe continues the crushing direction we saw in Abyss a few years back and now delightfully appears to have mastered it.
Hiss Spun fully embraces the metallic tendencies of her writing instead of toying with subtle traces of it and delivers one of Wolfe’s strongest strongest vocal performances.
#5)
Integrity–Howling, For The Nightmare Shall Consume
Cleveland Metalcore legends, Integrity, release a monster of a comeback on their latest record. Howling illustrates a long-awaited reinvention for the group pulling in influences from Black to Melodic Death to even Glam Metal.
I love all Integrity-new and old- and I can confidently proclaim that this is easily their strongest effort since 2003’s To Die For.
#4)
Unearthly Trance–Stalking The Ghost
Stalking the Ghost does not stray far from the Unearthly Trance formula (which for those of you who don’t know consists of absolutely crushing riffage) on this comeback record, but instead strengthens the sound found in the previous five records.
Get ready to bang your head.
#3)
Bathsheba–Servus
Belgian quartet, Bathsheba, fascinated me this year with a debut LP beyond worthy of such a high spot on my list.
Servus merges many styles across the Heavy Metal timeline bringing acts such as Black Sabbath, Candlemass, Cathedral, Morbid Angel, Behemoth, and more.
The record boasts six solid tracks of devastating brutality drenched in witchcraft/occult imagery and unique instrumentation including a chaotic saxophone solo (“Ain Soph”).
What really allows this LP to shine is the angelic yet somehow terrifying vocal performance by frontwoman Michelle Nocon-carrying over her enchanting performance from previous band Serpentcult.
#2)
Converge–The Dusk In Us
Few would argue Boston metallic hardcore veterans Converge have led a flawlessly consistent career. They have yet to release a bad album and LP#9 certainly attests to this.
The Dusk In Us balances the unique, experimental direction of All We Love We Leave Behind while also managing to take fans fully back to the gritty, raw chaos of Jane Doe and You Fail Me.
#1)
Planning for Burial–Below the House
At the dawn of each Winter, there is joy and brightness in the air complimentary to a approaching Holiday season.
Once the year fully comes to a close, the cold reality of winter fully sets in bringing forth a certain form of sorrowful emptiness.
I perceive Below the House as a sonic exploration of that exact point in the year gaining my number one spot for being the year’s most unique and engaging musical experience.
Wilkes Barre-based multi-instrumentalist Thom Wasluck (Planning for Burial) contributes a massive melting pot of genres on this LP ranging from Shoegazing, Post Metal, Goth Rock, Black Metal, Slowcore, and more.