#19 - Top of 2017

Astral Doors - Black Eyed Children (Metalville)

Starting back in 2002, the heavy metallers Astral Doors have a long and busy discography with Black Eyed Children being their 8th full length album! "We Cry Out" sets the tone straight away with heavy riffs and the unique voice of lead singer Nils Patrik Johansson (also known from his work with Wuthering Heights)! "God Is the Devil", "Tomorrow's Dead" (one the highlights of the album) and "Lost Boy"could definitely be Dio's next hit-tracks with catchy choruses and more classic heavy metal riffs! "Die on Stage" is also full of an 80's feeling with another great chorus made for sing-alongs during lives (and at home) while "Suburban Song" has an amazing accoustic-guitar intro and interesting post-chorus riffs. "Slaves to Ourselves" has a more intense power feel & a more highlighted keyboard without missing the necessary guitar interlude! The title-song "Black Eyed Children" (reaching almost 9 minutes has all the key elements of a classic heavy metal song) is a great album-closing track that is full of guitar tunes blending perfectly with Johansson's theatrical vocals!


93.5/100


Below is the official video for the song "We Cry Out".

'#20 - Top of 2017

Mastodon - Emperor of the Sand (Reprise Records)

The last years have been turbulent for Mastodon on a personal level, as both Bill Kelleher's mother and Troy Sander's wife were diagnosed with cancer. But instead of letting these personal problems drag them down, the band turned them on their head and  used them as inspiration for "Emperor of the Sand", an album conceptually based around cancer! A very few bands would dare try approach such a subject and even fewer would succeed without sounding either corny or dismissive. However, Mastodon not only succeeds in approaching their subject matter in a very pensive and metaphorical manner, they at the same time delivered one of the best albums of 2017 (and among the best of their career).  The main concept is about a wanderer condemned to die, and the themes of going through painful experiences such as chemotherapy, hope for survival and acceptance are woven lyrically within the narrative. There is a cohesion in the music as well, with all pieces utilising the full musical range of the band and the thee vocalists' interplay allowing no boredom. Highlights of the album include "Show Yourself", "Steambreather" and the epic closer "Jaguar God", but there every song has the quality of being excellent within the context of the album and as a standalone track. Another great release by Mastodon that is more than a sum of its parts.

93.5/100

Below are the music videos for "Show Yourself" and "Steambreather"

#21 - Top of 2017

Below - Upon a Pale Horse (Metal Blade Records)

On number 21, another entry from Sweden (which had an amazing year music-wise) with the second full length album from Below. The record oozes an epic doom vibe that is perfectly portrayed by both the title and the cover art that set the tone before the dark intro song "The Plague Within" starts! The heavy riffs and the high-pitched theatrical vocals by the band's lead singer Zeb in "Disappearing into Nothing" is followed by an amazing guitar solo interlude that are reminiscent of Candlemass (with Messiah). The guitar-based "The Coven" adds some heavier tones and more awesome guitars by Berg and Paud while the title song "Upon a Pale Horse" reaching at over 9 minutes (as it should) is definitely the highlight track starting with creepy narration from Alan Averill of Primordial (!) that lead to an amazingly creepy chorus and heavy drumming by Doc! "Suffer in Silence" further showcases Zeb's incredible vocal abilities combining doom with Queensryche vibes before ending with some great acoustic guitars to transition to the epic-heavy "Hours of Darkness".  The headbanging "1000 Broken Bones" is full of blasting drumming and the heavy-metal "We Are All Slaves" flawlessly wraps up the album. Upon a Pale Horse is an amazing heavy doom record from a band that definitely has a lot to offer in the future!


93.5/100

Below is the music video for "Disappearing into nothing".

#22 - Top of 2017

Big big train - Grimspound (English Electric Records)

2017 was quite a product year for progressive rock giants Big Big Train. They released not one but two full length albums! And while "the Second Brightest Star" contains mainly re-interpretations and leftovers from the latest very entertaining period of the band, Grimspound is a force to be reckoned! The album, as all the albums of the band since 2009, speaks about the English countryside and the past of the country, recounted through the lens of nostalgia. "Brave Captain" tells the tale of captain Albert Ball, fallen hero of the first world war. "Experimental Gentlemen", pays tribute to those that left Britain to explore the new worlds and "Mead Hall in Winter" speaks about pioneers who created the steam engine, dreamed about going to the moon and became archaeologists to unearth the forgotten past. As always with Big Big Train, the music acts as a folk/prog companion to the stories, blending the storytelling with seemingly immaculate 'oldprog' forms, drawing inspiration from Genesis, Marillion and even Jethro Tull, when Longdon uses his flute.  The songwriting standards of the album remain on the same high level as the latest releases of the band ("English Electric Part II", "Folklore"), and despite not getting there on being exactly the timeless masterpiece that "English Electric Part I" was, it nevertheless is an excellent prog release worth the time of any and all progressive rock fans!

93.5/100

Below are the music videos for "As the Crow Flies" and "Experimental Gentlemen"

#23 - Top of 2017

Bloodbound - War of Dragons (AFM Records)

The next entry comes from Sweden, with Bloodbound's 7th full length album "War of Dragons" that is as power metal (with an Rhapsody/Italian-like cheesy feeling) as it sounds! Patrick J Selleby's vocals blend perfectly with the symphonic/ orchestral elements and amazing guitar riffs by Tomas & Henrik Olsson!
"Battle In the Sky" with its awesome & intense drumming gives off strong Rhapsody vibes with a chorus made for sing-alongs and stories about dragons & magic (nothing else is needed)-making it the one of the highlights of the record! "War of Dragons", which gave the album its title, is a full symphonic epic blast with another amazingly catchy chorus and the essential guitar solos! The epic "Stand and Fight" which starts with a Sabaton-like feeling is equally powerful while "Silver Wings" is an interesting flute-based change of pace! "King of Swords" is another quick-paced blast and "Symphony Santana" adds a more pompous theatrical element. The records ends with the totally feel-good "Dragons Are Forever", another amazing song for sing-alongs that will stick to your mind and will definitely make you want to see the band perform live!


93.25/100

Below is the official video clip for the song "Battle In the Sky".

#24 - Top of 2017

Hällas - Excerpts from a Future Past (The Sign Records)

Retro rock/metal has been gaining in popularity the last 5 or so years. No band exemplifies what that genre can achieve better than Hällas. This is the band's debut album and it's certainly one of the most interesting debuts of 2017. The albums kicks off with the solemn intro of the "Astral Seer", before breaking into a Blue Oyster Cult riff, with rough and mellow vocals by Tommy Alexandersson. "Repentance" has more of a Uriah Heep vibe with a very old-school main NWOBHM riff. The instrumental Nerbulon's Tower that follows acts as a chill out intro to "The Golden City of Semira" that starts with a beautiful riff and low vocals and has beautiful intricate riffing that playfully flirts with prog rock. "Star Rider" is a true rock with evocative emotional riffs and a beautiful chorus that is bound to get stuck in your head long after you hear the song. "Shadow of the Templar" is a Uriah Heep epic, clocking at almost 8 minutes, followed by another epic, with more Deep Purple references, "Illusion Sky" with awesome epic keyboard-led melodies, which closes out the album. If you love any of the above-mentioned bands or if you are simply a fan of melodic rock with epic touches, then you should definitely seek out and buy this awesome album that is bound to keep you company many cold nights!




93.2/100



Below is the music video for "Star Rider" featuring excerpts from the awesome 1921 movie "The Phantom Carriage".

#25 - Top of 2017

Trial - Motherless (Metal Blade Records)

Trial is a Swedish heavy metal which released their third full length album in 2017, under the title "Motherless". The record sets the tone with the heavy but melodic "Motherless" showcasing epic vocals by lead vocalist, Linus Johansson along with great guitar riffs (and solo) and drumming! "In Empyrean Labour" is a more epic addition that adds a more complex note to the album! "Cold Comes the Night" has a King Diamond feel (in terms of the vocals and themes of the song) that is perfectly mixed with some awesome guitar solos! The pace is slowed down with the heavier "Juxtaposed" that again highlights the amazing & clear vocals by Linus Johanssan. "Aligerous Architec" is an interesting darker epic metal track that wraps up the first section with a  call to arms. The three track finale incorporating "Birth", "Embodiment" and "Rebirth" showcases the diversity of the band's musical and lyrical skills; this musical journey starts by setting up an eerie vibe before moving to melodic & heavy tunes and finally the more lyrical final song which is filled with sounds by a range of musical instruments, played by the skilled multi-instrumentalist Alexander Ellström!  Overall, Motherless is a great heavy metal album with a progressive twist & guitar harmonies that is definitely worth a listen!

93/100

Below is the lyric video for the song "Motherless".

#26 - Top of 2017

Revelations - Gatekeeper (Independent)

Gatekeeper is the debut album of the up and coming Swedish band Revelations, released independently in 2017. Revelations combine classical NWOBHM riffing and musicality, Doom metal/Black Sabbath influences with a more rock attitude in vocals, courtesy of their excellent singer Lasse Gudmundsson. Gatekeeper kicks off with the powerfull "Disillusion", with clear classic heavy metal vibes. The ensuing track, "Shooting Angels" kicks off with more of a rock and roll vibe, and progresses as more of a track off the depths of NWOBHM legacy. In "Son of Morning" the band slows down considerably and emanates the epic doom essence of Candlemass! "Nowhere near the Sun"is an intense instrumental interlude and "Everything to lose" is a more rocking tune, with a rebellious attitude. "Grip of Darnkness" starts dark and slow, exploding into a heavy metal riffing festival later on. "Timebomb" again shifts into a more hard rocking tune.  "Strange Dreams" is a straight heavy metal tune that complements its predecessor very nicely. The album goes out with "Gatekeeper", whereby the speed drops one last time for the final epic doom track of the album. For fans of NWOBHM and Doom metal, check these guys out, they are definitely worth your time, certainly a very unique blend of the two genres! You can get their album here!


93/100

Below are the music videos for "Strange Dreams" and "Grip of Darkness"

#27 - Top of 2017

Walpyrgus - Walpyrgus Nights (Cruz del Sur Music)

Next up on the list of the best albums for 2017, is another interesting heavy metal band, this time from the US, Walpyrgus. This is their debut album, released under the title "Walpyrgus Nights". The record starts with the amazingly catchy "The Dead of Night" with its great vocals & darker riffs before moving to the classic heavy metal "Somewhere Under Summerwind" while the uplifting and feel-good "Dead Girls" (despite its title) picks up the pace and speed of the guitar riffs! "Lauralone" and "Palmystry" have an 80's Iron Maiden feel both in terms of mood and cool riffs. "She Lives" is also energetic giving some more space for the keyboards to be heard and "Light of a Torch" adds the necessary cover of a classic but not widely known song by Witch Cross. The record wraps up with the song that gave it its title "Walpyrgus Nights", truly a highlight of the album. The package of this awesome record would not be complete without the awesome cover artwork by Gustavo Sazes, which complements the album immaculately. One of the best heavy metal records of the year!



92.5/100

Below is the lyric video for "Dead Girls"

#28 - Top of 2017

Quoth the Raven - Behind Closed Doors (Standalone)

Quoth the Raven is a relatively obscure heavy metal band from Australia which is worth checking out! It is a solo project by Gary Max, with a little help from Shane Turville on drums.
"What's Yours is Mine" is a very interesting opening track that showcases straight away the great vocals by Gary Max and some progressive elements that add to the track. "Of All Things" is a taking a heavier turn with more intense drumming and aggressive & quick-paced singing (and a lot of rhythm changes). "Nothing's Forever" is an awesome track which starts with the necessary narration of of Edgar Alan Poe's text ending with "Quoth the raven nevermore..."; the track has a darker doom feel with its slow-paced riffs and more theatrical vocals! "Devil in Me" highlights Max's guitar skills while "Lost Again" is the ballad of the record that is a nice change in pacing before moving to the more classic heavy metal "Bold"! "Behind Closed Doors", which is also the title track, wraps up an interesting release that definitely surpasses the expectations, delivering a healthy dose of dynamic heavy metal. You can buy the record on Google play here or on iTunes here.

92.5/100

 Below the official video for the song "What's Yours is Mine".