30. David Maxim Micic – Who Bit the Moon (self-released)
In these nine songs David Maxim Micic presents all his skills, and there are so many of them. The Belgrade, Serbia-based musician creates music in its most complex and most enjoyable form. With Who Bit the Moon he offers a tremendous work that takes you in hşs world, and once you are there you will not want to get out.
29. Persefone - Aathma (ViciSolum Records)
The flashback waves Persefone creates on this album through excellent dynamic instrumental work, with strong melodies and vocals, make Aathma the finest work of these Andorrans. It’s hard to pick any particular song from this record, as it should be considered as an entity that combines the finest from a rich prog metal legacy.
28. Chelsea Wolfe – Hiss Spun (Sargent House)
With Hiss Spun, it is clear that plenty of thought has gone into fleshing out each track into part of this otherwordly experience. The simple fact that Wolfe is not easy to pigeonhole should be seen as a positive sign, especially in these times when increasingly outrageous labels are created with alarming regularity.
27. Perihelion Ship - To Paint a Bird of Fire (self-released)
On this engrossing concept album, Perihelion Ship allow passion to guide their musical progression. Finding the charm buried within dour soundscapes, the band evoke imagery that is both poignant and indelible. Through and through, the album’s scale is nothing short of breathtaking.
26. Thy Art is Murder – Dear Desolation (Nuclear Blast)
Thy Art is Murder are masters of the deathcore school, and as chaotic and mind boggling as they were on previous efforts, they have upped their game this time around.
25. Big Big Train - Grimspound (Giant Electric Pea)
Grimspound is easily one of Big Big Train’s greatest (if not the greatest) efforts. It moulds the band’s strengths more carefully and diversely, showing they could hold back when needed without giving up the things that made them exciting in the first place. The group is at its most focused at this point, delivering a number of amazing compositions and coming very close indeed to progressive perfection.
24. Kettlespider - Kettlespider (self-released)
This album is a powerful offering from the Australians. The group has taken a distinctive combination of ingredients and squeezed out every bit of potential out of them.
23. Lunar - Theogony (Divebomb Records)
This is a record that everyone must own. Every generation and every country should adore an album like this, as one like Theogony rarely makes itself known. If you like music and consider it art, this is a must.
22. Nova Collective – The Further Side (Metal Blade)
The Further Side is one of the most vastly complex and diverse records that 2017 has to offer. It is hugely rewarding. Considering that the band is comprised of Haken and Between the Buried and Me members, hopefully there will be more albums in the future.
Splendidly composed and flawlessly executed, Codex Omega can nonetheless prove nearly unapproachable for those who believe melody and memorable tunes are essential components of music. While not as harsh or atonal as other efforts by extreme metal bands, and much more disciplined and tightly knit than one might expect, this is an album that needs to be listened to with care and attention, preferably when the time and mood are right – and not just because it is “scary” music that might not make you sleep at night.
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