Fagerlund's reviews

So, as usual this was a difficult list to make. Lots of good releases this year, and lots of albums I've not had time to listen to that I'd like to listen to. But here's my favourites of 2017.

 

20.
Sorcerer - The Crowning of the Fire King

Swedish Doom Metal alá Candlemass with really nice guitars and melodies. Tells a story, so you want to listen to the whole album in one sitting. Really well crafted.

19.
Enslaved - E

Norwegian Pagan Metal back again, Enslaved are just one of those bands who knows what they're doing. 

18.
Witchery - I am Legion

Swedish Thrash with the mighty riff-master Jensen on guitars. Back for a second year in a row with the new lineup and continues to prove that they can live up to the big shoes left behind.

17.
Paganizer - Land of the Weeping Souls

Death Metal from Rogga Johansson, and it sounds just like that. Death Metal from Rogga Johansson. It has the drive and energy I've come to expect from that man. 

16.
Obituary - Obituary

Death Metal from Florida, and again this is exactly what you'd expect from Obi. Sometimes it's just nice with those bands that you know what you'll get from. 

15.
Cut up - Wherever they may Rot

Death Metal from Sweden, most of old Vomitory continues on in Cut Up. And it's as intense as ever.

14.
Wolves in the Throne Room - Thrice Woven

Black Metal from the US. These guys have evolved quite a bit over the years. This time they continue on with their very atmospheric Black Metal, and it basically feels like a session in the dark woods. 

13.
Azarath - In Extremis

Death Metal from Poland. Do you miss old Behemoth? Apparently Inferno does too, because this is as close to old Behemoth as you'll get in 2017.

12.
Firespawn - The Reprobate

Death Metal from Sweden. Allright, this "allstar" band just continues to deliver. This time even heavier sound than on the first album, with great songwriting and LG continues to impress with a different growl style than his traditional Entombed growls.

11.
Wintersun - The Forest Seasons

Melodic Metal from Finland. I had high expectations for this one, unfortunately it didn't meet them. Mostly the (programmed) drums is a let down for me. But the guitars and vocal melodies are still great.

10.
Entrails - World Inferno

Oldschool Death Metal from Sweden. This style of Death Metal just grabs me. It's nothing new really, but it's just so good.

9.
Hate - Tremendum

Death Metal from Poland. Hate has their own twist on the Polish style of Death Metal. Even though it sounds a lot like Behemoth they still manage to etch out their own sound and it's intense as hell.

8.
The Doomsday Kingdom - s/t

Doom Metal from Sweden. Leif Edling (Candlemass) writes a bit darker than usual, but it works really really well together with the voice of Niklas Stålvind (Wolf). The melodies gets stuck in my head for days.

7.
Akercocke - Renaissance in Extremis

Death Metal from England. Finally a return from Akercocke! They've been away for a long time, but damn they cooked up a great album this time. It continues on with that crazy style of a bit of everything that they always had in the past and it gets really busy.

6.
Decadence - Undergrounder

Thrash Metal from Sweden. Another return! Decadence came out of the woodworks and released a new album self funded. And damn, it sounds great. Superb riffs and great vocals. I guess the break rekindled the spirit.

5.
Maim - Ornaments of Severity

Oldschool Death Metal from Sweden. Another great return! New members, but the sound is still the same. Slow grinding Death Metal that manages to build a really groovy atmosphere without losing any of the aggression.

4.
Desultory - Through Aching Aeons

Oldschool Death Metal from Sweden. This album has been in the works for several years, I don't know what made it so delayed but damn it was worth the wait. It's just sad that Desultory decided to call it quits with this album, but at least they end with the flag held high.

3.
Vintersorg - Till Fjälls del II

Folk Metal from Sweden. Vintersorg is back with a follow up to the classic Till Fjälls. And it continues on right where the original album left off. Vintersorg has evolved a lot since then though and brings in his new style while still staying true to the original sound. 

2.
Wormwood - Ghostlands

Melodic Black Metal from Sweden. Man, I remember when I saw these guys do their first live show and I thought "well that was alright I guess". That was a couple of years ago, and now they've released this beast of a debut album. I already knew they had evolved a lot since I've seen them live several times since, but the way it all comes together on this album is just splendid. This album has catchy melodies that you're probably not supposed to have on a Black Metal album, but it just sounds so good.The riffs, the vocals, the drumming. They sure set the bar high for the second album.

1.
Spectral Voice - Eroded Corridors of Unbeing

Death Metal from USA. Damn, where did this come from? Another debut album placing high on my list. It takes that oldschool sound of mixing Death and Doom alá Asphyx but makes it their own thing. They create an atmosphere... of a spectral voice. It's eerie and chilling, yet super heavy and aggressive. I really like how they let the vocals take a backseat (the drummer is the vocalist so litterary a backseat I guess...) and let the instruments to all the heavy lifting. 

 

Well, that was it. Thanks for reading, and do you think I missed any good albums this year? Please let me know, I'm always happy to catch up.