 | Blog author: Alex Stojanovic Another year, gone! Can't believe 2017 is just about over. For me, this year marks five years since I first joined Metal Master Kingdom, only a few months after its inception. It's been an amazing five years so far and I look forward to many more. With the end of the year approaching, it's time to reflect and start putting together our lists featuring some of our favourite releases that came out this year. |
Looking back at this year, we still lost a number of great musicians with the major ones being Chris Cornell, Chester Bennington, Gord Downie (to us Canadians) and especially Malcolm Young, but also great talents like Chuck Berry, Geoff Nichols, Allan Holdsworth, Gregg Allman, Walter Becker, Tom Petty, David Zablidowsky and Martin Eric Ain just to name a few. R.I.P. to all the great talents we've lost this year that I mentioned above and those who I missed, both in and out of music.
Aside from the dark clouds that appeared over us this year with the passings, for me personally, this honestly turned out to be one of the best years of my life so far. I formed a new heavy band with a great group of musicians and we are currently in the process of writing material, which we hope to share with you all soon and playing some gigs soon. At the same time, I've joined another more rock-based band and we've already done a couple of gigs with more of those, as well as more music in the works. All this, combined with a number of other great experiences this year, 2017 was a great one!
This also turned out to be one of the best years in Metal Master Kingdom history. We've made upgrades to our services, and with new additions to the team, we were able to bring you much more coverage with interviews and reviews of shows and albums this year compared to last year and the year prior and we will continue to bring more and more to you. We want to thank all our readers worldwide for sharing our work and continuing to do so. Our readership has increased as well, thanks to you all! Thank you all for an amazing year and here's to many more!
Going back to the list, it's always a challenge to whittle down the hundreds of releases that come out during the year that we get to hear, down to 10-15, but I'm always up for a challenge. I've said that doing these things is like studying for my final exams. Wondering which albums I was going to pick had me tossing and turning in bed for days. It happens when you're a big music fan, but after a lot of thought, I've compiled a list I'm really satisfied with. Here we go.
Aside from the dark clouds that appeared over us this year with the passings, for me personally, this honestly turned out to be one of the best years of my life so far. I formed a new heavy band with a great group of musicians and we are currently in the process of writing material, which we hope to share with you all soon and playing some gigs soon. At the same time, I've joined another more rock-based band and we've already done a couple of gigs with more of those, as well as more music in the works. All this, combined with a number of other great experiences this year, 2017 was a great one!
This also turned out to be one of the best years in Metal Master Kingdom history. We've made upgrades to our services, and with new additions to the team, we were able to bring you much more coverage with interviews and reviews of shows and albums this year compared to last year and the year prior and we will continue to bring more and more to you. We want to thank all our readers worldwide for sharing our work and continuing to do so. Our readership has increased as well, thanks to you all! Thank you all for an amazing year and here's to many more!
Going back to the list, it's always a challenge to whittle down the hundreds of releases that come out during the year that we get to hear, down to 10-15, but I'm always up for a challenge. I've said that doing these things is like studying for my final exams. Wondering which albums I was going to pick had me tossing and turning in bed for days. It happens when you're a big music fan, but after a lot of thought, I've compiled a list I'm really satisfied with. Here we go.
10. ACT OF DEFIANCE - Old Scars, New Wounds
I really enjoyed Act Of Defiance's debut album Birth & The Burial when it first came out, so I was really excited for their follow-up. There's nothing too different on Old Scars, New Wounds, but songs like "M.I.A.", "Molten Core", "Overexposure", "The Talisman" and "Lullaby Of Vengeance" helped solidify this album's place in this list. Chris Broderick, Shawn Drover, Henry Derek and Matt Bachand are simply on fire, churning out some real potent metal in the vein of thrash, progressive, melodic and traditional metal. I'm glad that Broderick and Drover wasted no time after leaving Megadeth in late 2014, and they got right to business in forming Act Of Defiance and releasing two really strong records up to this point. On this record, much like the last one, the riffs are strong, the guitar tone is nice and meaty, the vocals are great and the songs are really solid.
I really enjoyed Act Of Defiance's debut album Birth & The Burial when it first came out, so I was really excited for their follow-up. There's nothing too different on Old Scars, New Wounds, but songs like "M.I.A.", "Molten Core", "Overexposure", "The Talisman" and "Lullaby Of Vengeance" helped solidify this album's place in this list. Chris Broderick, Shawn Drover, Henry Derek and Matt Bachand are simply on fire, churning out some real potent metal in the vein of thrash, progressive, melodic and traditional metal. I'm glad that Broderick and Drover wasted no time after leaving Megadeth in late 2014, and they got right to business in forming Act Of Defiance and releasing two really strong records up to this point. On this record, much like the last one, the riffs are strong, the guitar tone is nice and meaty, the vocals are great and the songs are really solid.
09. MORBID ANGEL - Kingdoms Disdained
So far, there have been mixed reactions to the new Morbid Angel record Kingdoms Disdained. Many people are completely writing it off because David Vincent isn't in the band anymore and/or the production and songwriting isn't up to their standards. My preference is Vincent as well, but Steve Tucker's vocal performance on this record is astounding. His menacing growls, combined with Trey Azagthoth's vicious riffs, Scott Fuller's rampaging drums, and the sludgy production courtesy of Erik Rutan, is the summation of a great return to form for Morbid Angel after the mistep with Illud Divinum Insanus. Yes, it may not be Vincent on vocals, but Tucker is great and I'm in the majority of fans that enjoyed this album to the fullest. Tracks like "Piles Of Little Arms", "Garden Of Disdain", "Paradigms Warped", "For No Master" and "From The Hand Of Kings" are some incredible songs.
So far, there have been mixed reactions to the new Morbid Angel record Kingdoms Disdained. Many people are completely writing it off because David Vincent isn't in the band anymore and/or the production and songwriting isn't up to their standards. My preference is Vincent as well, but Steve Tucker's vocal performance on this record is astounding. His menacing growls, combined with Trey Azagthoth's vicious riffs, Scott Fuller's rampaging drums, and the sludgy production courtesy of Erik Rutan, is the summation of a great return to form for Morbid Angel after the mistep with Illud Divinum Insanus. Yes, it may not be Vincent on vocals, but Tucker is great and I'm in the majority of fans that enjoyed this album to the fullest. Tracks like "Piles Of Little Arms", "Garden Of Disdain", "Paradigms Warped", "For No Master" and "From The Hand Of Kings" are some incredible songs.
08. CANNIBAL CORPSE - Red Before Black
What else can be said about Cannibal Corpse that hasn't been said already? Leading the death metal pack for almost 30 years now, they released album #14 this year with Red Before Black. In all honesty, I wouldn't say this is the best album in their discography and they certainly haven't topped A Skeletal Domain, my opinion, but it's one of the best of the last decade. Containing everything we've come to expect from them, it's another solid slab of straight-to-the-point, limb-sawwing brutality with destructive riffs, sizzling solos and monstrous vocals. "Scavenger Consuming Death", "Red Before Black" and "Code Of The Slashers" are some of my favourites from this record. Red Before Black also marks a special occasion for the band, and that is that it's the tenth album with Corpsegrinder.
What else can be said about Cannibal Corpse that hasn't been said already? Leading the death metal pack for almost 30 years now, they released album #14 this year with Red Before Black. In all honesty, I wouldn't say this is the best album in their discography and they certainly haven't topped A Skeletal Domain, my opinion, but it's one of the best of the last decade. Containing everything we've come to expect from them, it's another solid slab of straight-to-the-point, limb-sawwing brutality with destructive riffs, sizzling solos and monstrous vocals. "Scavenger Consuming Death", "Red Before Black" and "Code Of The Slashers" are some of my favourites from this record. Red Before Black also marks a special occasion for the band, and that is that it's the tenth album with Corpsegrinder.
07. VENOM INC. - Avé
I'm not one of those people that's going to pick sides over the two versions of Venom because each side has great things going on for them, but when it comes to studio material, the last two records that Cronos' version put out: Fallen Angels and From The Very Depths, weren't strong records, except for a small handful of tracks on each, but Venom Inc.'s killer debut album Avé remains consistent from start to finish, from "Avé Satanas" and "Forged In Hell" to "Time To Die" and "Black N Roll". To be honest, if I had a gun to my head and I had to pick a side, I would choose Venom Inc. in a heartbeat because the album is better, and having hung out with Mantas, Demolition Man and Abaddon, they are the greatest guys you could ever want to hang out with. They treat everyone with real respect, and anyone who has met them or knows them personally can easily attest to that fact. I'll take Avé over the last two Venom albums without hesitation, because it really captures that old-school Venom sound, and that's mostly thanks to Mantas' unmistakable guitar sound and the songwriting stands out. At the same time, Demolition Man's vocal performance is just astounding.
I'm not one of those people that's going to pick sides over the two versions of Venom because each side has great things going on for them, but when it comes to studio material, the last two records that Cronos' version put out: Fallen Angels and From The Very Depths, weren't strong records, except for a small handful of tracks on each, but Venom Inc.'s killer debut album Avé remains consistent from start to finish, from "Avé Satanas" and "Forged In Hell" to "Time To Die" and "Black N Roll". To be honest, if I had a gun to my head and I had to pick a side, I would choose Venom Inc. in a heartbeat because the album is better, and having hung out with Mantas, Demolition Man and Abaddon, they are the greatest guys you could ever want to hang out with. They treat everyone with real respect, and anyone who has met them or knows them personally can easily attest to that fact. I'll take Avé over the last two Venom albums without hesitation, because it really captures that old-school Venom sound, and that's mostly thanks to Mantas' unmistakable guitar sound and the songwriting stands out. At the same time, Demolition Man's vocal performance is just astounding.
06. WARBRINGER - Woe To The Vanquished
It's been a long four years since we've had a new Warbringer record. With a new lineup solidified, the band unleashed Woe To The Vanquished, which in my opinion is their best album since Worlds Torn Asunder. It resurrects the power and the energy that was lacking on IV: Empires Collapse and the album feels more cohesive. I'm happy that after a couple of years of absence from the band, Carlos Cruz is back on the drum throne because he is without a doubt the definitive drummer for Warbringer. Tracks like "Sillhouettes", "Woe To The Vanquished", "Remain Violent", "Divinity Of Flesh" and of course the 11-minute epic "When The Guns Fell Silent" are some of the standouts on this record. For anyone that has doubted Warbringer's future since the departure of guitarist John Laux, I highly suggest you check out Woe To The Vanquished because once you do, all your concerns will be out the door. While we're talking about Warbringer, I also want to say R.I.P. to the band's former drummer Nic Ritter, who passed away earlier this summer at the age of only 36.
It's been a long four years since we've had a new Warbringer record. With a new lineup solidified, the band unleashed Woe To The Vanquished, which in my opinion is their best album since Worlds Torn Asunder. It resurrects the power and the energy that was lacking on IV: Empires Collapse and the album feels more cohesive. I'm happy that after a couple of years of absence from the band, Carlos Cruz is back on the drum throne because he is without a doubt the definitive drummer for Warbringer. Tracks like "Sillhouettes", "Woe To The Vanquished", "Remain Violent", "Divinity Of Flesh" and of course the 11-minute epic "When The Guns Fell Silent" are some of the standouts on this record. For anyone that has doubted Warbringer's future since the departure of guitarist John Laux, I highly suggest you check out Woe To The Vanquished because once you do, all your concerns will be out the door. While we're talking about Warbringer, I also want to say R.I.P. to the band's former drummer Nic Ritter, who passed away earlier this summer at the age of only 36.
05. THE RAVEN AGE - Darkness Will Rise
My introduction to The Raven Age was last year when I saw them opening for Iron Maiden, and I know I can speak for a lot of other people. Before seeing them, I never listened to any of their stuff, but upon first listen, I found myself bobbing my head, smiling and loving their heavy and melodic tunes. Michael Burrough is a fantastic vocalist and his melodies are infectious, especially on tracks like "Promised Land", "Eye Among The Blind", "Trapped Within The Shadows" and "The Death March". The vocals are mainly what sets them apart from many other younger modern metal bands. Even though most of the songs sound kind of similar to each other, this album was a really enjoyable listen all the way through. I wish the band much success.
My introduction to The Raven Age was last year when I saw them opening for Iron Maiden, and I know I can speak for a lot of other people. Before seeing them, I never listened to any of their stuff, but upon first listen, I found myself bobbing my head, smiling and loving their heavy and melodic tunes. Michael Burrough is a fantastic vocalist and his melodies are infectious, especially on tracks like "Promised Land", "Eye Among The Blind", "Trapped Within The Shadows" and "The Death March". The vocals are mainly what sets them apart from many other younger modern metal bands. Even though most of the songs sound kind of similar to each other, this album was a really enjoyable listen all the way through. I wish the band much success.
04. ICED EARTH - Incorruptible
After almost two years of inactivity from mid-2014 to early 2016 due to Jon Schaffer needing neck surgery and rebuilding a studio, Iced Earth returned to action in full force with touring and this year, they released their 12th studio record Incorruptible and their third album with Stu Block. With plenty of old school moments reminiscent of Something Wicked This Way Comes and Dark Saga, as well as moments from the recent albums like Dystopia, there's no reason why this record shouldn't be in your collection if you're an Iced Earth fan. Even though I really enjoyed Plagues Of Babylon, I would have to agree with the people that felt it had a few too many soft moments. They definitely topped Plagues with Incorruptible. There's many great songs on here like "Great Heathen Army", "Seven Headed Whore", "Brothers", "Defiance" and "Clear The Way", but the songs that I still crank the most are "Raven Wing" and "Ghost Dance". Another excellent album from one of metal's most underrated bands.
After almost two years of inactivity from mid-2014 to early 2016 due to Jon Schaffer needing neck surgery and rebuilding a studio, Iced Earth returned to action in full force with touring and this year, they released their 12th studio record Incorruptible and their third album with Stu Block. With plenty of old school moments reminiscent of Something Wicked This Way Comes and Dark Saga, as well as moments from the recent albums like Dystopia, there's no reason why this record shouldn't be in your collection if you're an Iced Earth fan. Even though I really enjoyed Plagues Of Babylon, I would have to agree with the people that felt it had a few too many soft moments. They definitely topped Plagues with Incorruptible. There's many great songs on here like "Great Heathen Army", "Seven Headed Whore", "Brothers", "Defiance" and "Clear The Way", but the songs that I still crank the most are "Raven Wing" and "Ghost Dance". Another excellent album from one of metal's most underrated bands.
03. SAVAGE MESSIAH - Hands Of Fate
When Savage Messiah's last album The Fateful Dark came out, I was going: "This is going to be hard to top." With their new album Hands Of Fate, they didn't top The Fateful Dark, but this is still another amazing record from top to bottom. The band did go in a slightly different direction with dialing back on the thrash for this album, but the heaviness and melody still rule this record. There's a great amount of Black Album era Metallica, Judas Priest and Countdown To Extinction era Megadeth influences to be found. Sure, there might not be as many fast moments on here as there were on The Fateful Dark, but how could you not love the pounding heaviness, gigantic melodies and catchiness of tracks like "Hands Of Fate", "Blood Red Road", "Lay Down Your Arms", "Last Confession", "The Crucible" and "Out Of Time"? Another amazing album by one of the best up and coming bands. I sure hope this record takes Savage Messiah to greater heights because they deserve so much more recognition.
When Savage Messiah's last album The Fateful Dark came out, I was going: "This is going to be hard to top." With their new album Hands Of Fate, they didn't top The Fateful Dark, but this is still another amazing record from top to bottom. The band did go in a slightly different direction with dialing back on the thrash for this album, but the heaviness and melody still rule this record. There's a great amount of Black Album era Metallica, Judas Priest and Countdown To Extinction era Megadeth influences to be found. Sure, there might not be as many fast moments on here as there were on The Fateful Dark, but how could you not love the pounding heaviness, gigantic melodies and catchiness of tracks like "Hands Of Fate", "Blood Red Road", "Lay Down Your Arms", "Last Confession", "The Crucible" and "Out Of Time"? Another amazing album by one of the best up and coming bands. I sure hope this record takes Savage Messiah to greater heights because they deserve so much more recognition.
02. TRIVIUM - The Sin & The Sentence
Anyone who knows about the vocal issues Matt Heafy went through in 2014 with blowing out his voice and having to re-learn how to properly sing and scream, will understand Trivium's decision behind having all clean vocals on Silence In The Snow. With both vocal techniques back in full swing now and better than ever after extensive training, patience and continuous practice, he was able to incorporate the screaming once again on the band's destructive new album The Sin & The Sentence. This also marks the return of the heavier direction after the more simpler and melodic approach on Silence In The Snow, and it exceeded everyone's expectations. Tracks like 'The Sin & The Sentence", "Beyond Oblivion", "Other Worlds", "Betrayer", "Sever The Hand", "Beauty In The Sorrow", "The Revanchist" and "Thrown Into The Fire" showcase Trivium at their very best in terms of songwriting and performance. As a whole, the album is a successful amalgamation of all the band's past albums into one, and then some. New drummer Alex Bent's blistering performances played a major role in the album's direction. After going through a total of four drummers in the last seven years, they've hit the jackpot with Alex, and I'm sure many people will agree. As I stated in my review of the record, it doesn't beat Shogun, but it's paralleled with that album in terms of supremacy.
Anyone who knows about the vocal issues Matt Heafy went through in 2014 with blowing out his voice and having to re-learn how to properly sing and scream, will understand Trivium's decision behind having all clean vocals on Silence In The Snow. With both vocal techniques back in full swing now and better than ever after extensive training, patience and continuous practice, he was able to incorporate the screaming once again on the band's destructive new album The Sin & The Sentence. This also marks the return of the heavier direction after the more simpler and melodic approach on Silence In The Snow, and it exceeded everyone's expectations. Tracks like 'The Sin & The Sentence", "Beyond Oblivion", "Other Worlds", "Betrayer", "Sever The Hand", "Beauty In The Sorrow", "The Revanchist" and "Thrown Into The Fire" showcase Trivium at their very best in terms of songwriting and performance. As a whole, the album is a successful amalgamation of all the band's past albums into one, and then some. New drummer Alex Bent's blistering performances played a major role in the album's direction. After going through a total of four drummers in the last seven years, they've hit the jackpot with Alex, and I'm sure many people will agree. As I stated in my review of the record, it doesn't beat Shogun, but it's paralleled with that album in terms of supremacy.
01. KREATOR - Gods Of Violence
For much of this year, I had absolutely no doubt that Kreator's new magnum opus Gods Of Violence was going to be my album of the year. However, when Trivium's The Sin & The Sentence came out, there was a call for a cage match with the two albums going head to head in a heated match. It was a really close battle, and they're both incredible albums, but in the end, Gods Of Violence emerged victorious by a notch. This also marks the second time in a row that the first album we reviewed of the year, also released in January has made the #1 spot on my list with last year being Megadeth's Dystopia, which came out in January 2016. Phantom Antichrist was a fantastic record, but the songwriting quality has elevated considerably on Gods Of Violence. The five year gap between records served its purpose well. Mille Petrozza knows what it takes to create a crushing and memorable record. They've successfully combined the best of the best of Kreator on this album. From the crushing thrashers like "World War Now", "Totalitarian Terror", "Gods Of Violence" and "Army Of Storms" to the mid-tempo ragers like "Hail To The Hordes", "Satan Is Real" and "Fallen Brother" to the unbelievable closing opus "Death Becomes My Light", this album is absolutely flawless from start to finish, and therefore, Gods Of Violence takes the crown as my #1 album of 2017. Another job well done Kreator!
For much of this year, I had absolutely no doubt that Kreator's new magnum opus Gods Of Violence was going to be my album of the year. However, when Trivium's The Sin & The Sentence came out, there was a call for a cage match with the two albums going head to head in a heated match. It was a really close battle, and they're both incredible albums, but in the end, Gods Of Violence emerged victorious by a notch. This also marks the second time in a row that the first album we reviewed of the year, also released in January has made the #1 spot on my list with last year being Megadeth's Dystopia, which came out in January 2016. Phantom Antichrist was a fantastic record, but the songwriting quality has elevated considerably on Gods Of Violence. The five year gap between records served its purpose well. Mille Petrozza knows what it takes to create a crushing and memorable record. They've successfully combined the best of the best of Kreator on this album. From the crushing thrashers like "World War Now", "Totalitarian Terror", "Gods Of Violence" and "Army Of Storms" to the mid-tempo ragers like "Hail To The Hordes", "Satan Is Real" and "Fallen Brother" to the unbelievable closing opus "Death Becomes My Light", this album is absolutely flawless from start to finish, and therefore, Gods Of Violence takes the crown as my #1 album of 2017. Another job well done Kreator!
HONOURABLE MENTIONS (No Order)
| Nickelback Feed The Machine  Arch Enemy Will To Power  | Suffocation Of The Dark Light  Panzer Fatal Command  | Dying Fetus Wrong One To Fuck With  Shattered Sun The Evolution Of Anger  |
Here's all I will say about the inclusion of Nickelback's new album Feed The Machine as an honourable mention on this list. Back in 2003-2005 when I was 10-12 years old, Nickelback were my favourite band ever. The first four records from Curb to The Long Road will always be their best era. Silver Side Up and The Long Road are great hard rock records and I played the hell out of them back then. I still play those records to this day, not going to lie. With the next four records, aside from certain tracks, I didn't enjoy them thoroughly.
The new album however was an enjoyable listen. Aside from the flaws on here like some cheesy lyrics (which are expected and never appealed to me), I enjoyed this album and I think it's worth giving a nod to. I'm not the fan I was back then anymore, but I still have respect for Nickelback and I always will. If you're upset about that, I don't care. Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but if you look at this one simple opinion as a betrayal (no pun intended) to the metal community and loss of credibility, then you're nuts.
Going back to the main list, I cannot stress this enough. Getting around to every album that came out during the year just can't be done, so I apologize if you don't see your favourite album(s) on here, but don't complain. There's just not enough time. We all got lives. It's either that, or the other albums I did get to hear just didn't hit me the way the albums I listed above did. I'll be able to get around to some more of the other albums as time goes on, but some of the other releases I enjoyed from this year include the new Black Star Riders, Annihilator, Overkill, Obituary, Sepultura and Black Dahlia Murder to name a few.
There you have it ladies and gentlemen! My favourite albums of the year! Thank you very much for reading. Wishing all our readers a very happy holidays, keep the metal cranking, and here's to an even better 2018! Peace!!
The new album however was an enjoyable listen. Aside from the flaws on here like some cheesy lyrics (which are expected and never appealed to me), I enjoyed this album and I think it's worth giving a nod to. I'm not the fan I was back then anymore, but I still have respect for Nickelback and I always will. If you're upset about that, I don't care. Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but if you look at this one simple opinion as a betrayal (no pun intended) to the metal community and loss of credibility, then you're nuts.
Going back to the main list, I cannot stress this enough. Getting around to every album that came out during the year just can't be done, so I apologize if you don't see your favourite album(s) on here, but don't complain. There's just not enough time. We all got lives. It's either that, or the other albums I did get to hear just didn't hit me the way the albums I listed above did. I'll be able to get around to some more of the other albums as time goes on, but some of the other releases I enjoyed from this year include the new Black Star Riders, Annihilator, Overkill, Obituary, Sepultura and Black Dahlia Murder to name a few.
There you have it ladies and gentlemen! My favourite albums of the year! Thank you very much for reading. Wishing all our readers a very happy holidays, keep the metal cranking, and here's to an even better 2018! Peace!!
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