My top 10 albums of 2017

E - Enslaved

Their first album with Håkon Vinje, and he does not disappoint. They've been called the Pink Floyd of black metal and I'm not sure who should be insulted or flattered by that comparison. This album is tighter than a bullet hole, overall being a more consistent effort than RIITIIR. They kick off with Storm Sun, and it's simply scintillating from there up to the pristine cover of Royksopp's What Else is There.

Codex Omega - Septicflesh

Quite a classy band with a visceral name. Septicflesh pulled out all the stops to explore the symphonic side of themselves without compromising hedonistic headbanging abandon. One of their best albums to date, this invokes all the Bram Stoker's Dracula imagery they're emulating, and more! It even brings to mind hints of a Wojciech Kilar film score.

Urn - Ne Obliviscaris

I must confess I was initially a bit disappointed by this album. It took a while to grow on me, but it's not really a weaker album. It's worth giving it a few chances, and this is especially true for me since I'm fairly new to this band. They haven't really tainted their formula, they're nurturing it and this album is worth getting used to.

Renaissance in Extremis - Akercocke

A welcome return of these goat keepers. This album isn't quite as brutal as their previous efforts, with its stripped down sound. There are no dulcimers here any longer, but the riffs are venturing into odd time signature territory. Despite not having been around for a while, they show impressive growth and progress on this album.

Medusa - Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost doing a concept album. That's all you need to know, really. Exquisite!

Psychotic Symphony - Sons of Apollo

I'm one of those sad souls - probably the only one - who was glad to see Mike Portnoy leaving Dream Theatre. One more song about his glass prison would have driven me to drink. He's also had a few projects of varying degrees of quality around, so I wasn't all that excited about this project until I heard that Jeff Scott Soto, one of my favourite singers, will be taking part. He certainly does not disappoint but surprisingly the best parts about this album are the staggering guitar work and keyboard work.

Anticult - Decapitated

Polish death metal - can't argue with that. They keep evolving and they keep improving, despite massive setbacks, and this album is just another confirmation of their worthiness as one of the best death metal bands in the world.

Exuvia - The Ruins of Beverast

Ze Germans can get pretty dark and brooding and this album was the soundtrack through some dark and brooding times recently. Only four tracks and they all sound evil.

Eschaton Memoire - Chaos Moon

I think this album was album of the month from some or other online publication. I forgot which one now, but it's well deserved. Also for people with leather ears and not so faint hearts. Like a family bucket of middle fingers, Chaos Moon arrived at a welcome time in 2017 when I needed it most.

Dance and Laugh Amongst the Rotten - Carach Angren

They haven't disappointed me yet. Always great to hear a few Dutch words in my music. Like their other albums, this is a concept album but it seems to be inspired by King Diamond or some original story instead of the usual grim folk tales.

Some honourable mentions

Infinite - Deep Purple
Strength in Numbers - The Haunted
Wrong One to Fuck With - Dying Fetus