My Top 15 Albums of 2017

2017 wasn't as strong as 2016, but we still got some solid new releases. Last year, it was tough for me to pick only fifteen top albums, and this year I struggled with the last three. Here are my Top Albums 2017.

Except for the top three, these are in no particular order. My top three in this list are my favorite albums of 2017. Click on the album covers to purchase or to hear samples. If you like what you hear, please BUY IT! Don't illegally download it. You're not stealing from rich record companies, you're stealing from the artists who enhance your life. If you want them to keep creating, please support them financially.

• The Contortionist Clairvoyant: This is my favorite album of 2017. The growling vocals are almost completely gone, but this album still rocks heavy. The melodies are beautiful, too.
• Mastodon Emperor of Sand: Mastodon is a metal institution at this point. This album is more metal than the last, but the prog elements haven't been neglected. If anything, they've improved.
• Toothgrinder Phantom Amour: There's no sign of the sophomore slump with Toothgrinder's new release. There are more clean vocals this time around, and the guitars have improved.

• '68 Two Parts Viper: Josh Scogin (ex-Norma Jean) is the frontman and 50% of this band. This album is more eclectic than the debut, and the songs are more raw yet more well-realized.
• Dead Cross self-titled: Of course Mike Patton makes my list. Dead Cross is not pushing any musical boundaries, but this album is hard not to love if you're a fan of hardcore punk. It's hard to believe this album was recorded by 40 and 50 year olds. It's blisteringly heavy and fast.
• Hundred Suns The Prestaliis: Another Norma Jean related record, this time a side project from the current vocalist. The music sounds like Norma Jean trying to be Deftones. It mostly works, but even when it doesn't it's beautiful.

• Death Therapy The Storm Before the Calm: The new industrial project from Jason Wisdom, formerly of Becoming the Archetype. It's hard to believe there are no guitars on this album. Nice guys, too.
• Backwordz Veracity: I bought this album to support their message of individualism and against the evils of state power. I never expected the album to be as good as it is. It's rap, it's metal, it's awesome.
• He Is Legend few: He Is Legend returns with a love letter to their fans. Some loved it, some hated it. I love it. It's a progression, it's dark, but it's still undoubtedly He Is Legend.

• Converge The Dusk In Us: The pioneers of metalcore releasing an album is always an event in the hard music community. Their latest effort doesn't disappoint, and I get to see them on tour this Friday!
• Minus the Bear Voids: Another divisive album; I read one review calling it mostly "filler" after the phenomenal first track. I disagree. MTB isn't afraid to take stylistic risks, and they mostly pay off. This is probably their most experimental album to date.
• Queens of the Stone Age Villains: Another home run from Josh Homme and company. Not quite as good as ...Like Clockwork, but pretty damn close. This album rocks.

• The Ongoing Concept Places: Probably the most eclectic yet from these Idaho boys. From the opening track, you never quite know where the music will go next. It's heavy, dark, and poppy all at the same time.
• Mychildren MyBride Vicious World: The first song doesn't quite work, but the rest of the album is heavy and atmospheric. Not as fast as previous outings, but it's my favorite from this Alabama group.
• Jeremy Enigk Ghosts: I've loved Enigk's music ever since Sunny Day Real Estate. This is his most mature and haunting solo work, and the best since The Fire Theft.

I'd love to see your list, so share it with me in the comments. Thanks for reading!