10. Septicflesh – Codex Omega (Prosthetic)
Ah, the brilliance of Septicflesh. From the artwork to the excellent craftsmanship, Codex Omega is not only one of 2017’s best, it is also a very high point in the Greek band’s career. You don’t believe me? Just listen to “Enemy of Truth” or “Faceless Queen”. Technical, symphonic, fusion, death metal. What else you are looking for, sweet rolls?
9. Soen – Lykaia (UDR)
Super band line-ups rarely work. Maybe too much ego involved to write memorable songs, who knows. However, Soen has that Anathema vibe that I always like, and from the day since one of my close friends introduced me to them, I am hooked. And I adore Martin Lopez’s drumming.
8. Obituary – Obituary (Relapse)
Again, another classic band and their iteration of death metal. No surprises, no bad tastes. It is not another Cause of Death, but it has enough Obituary in it to stand on its own. Strong, bone-crushing riffs accompanied by one of metal’s most recognizable voices. Obituary really meant it when they said “Kneel Before Me” on this one.
7. Cradle of Filth – Cryptoriana: The Seductiveness of Decay (Nuclear Blast)
It had its problems, falling short of expectations when compared to the previous effort, Hammer of the Witches, but it was still entertaining enough to make it into this list. This is not the best of Cradle of Filth, nor it is one of the best releases in black metal. Some people will look for names like The Ruins of Beverast or The Great Old Ones. Those were true gems, but I enjoyed this one, and found myself listening to it more than others. What can you do, it happens.
6. Overkill – The Grinding Wheel (Nuclear Blast)
Solid, traditional, your everyday Overkill. And that is a great formula. There are some bands out there that you simply want to hear more variations of the same spirit, executed in perfection. The Grinding Wheel is exactly that: the updated execution of a tradition. It is not just factory-producing the same old shit, but coming up with enough new ideas without changing the core. Thrash metal at its best.