Matthew Thomas’ Top 60 Albums of 2017 + Top 10 EPs + Links to Listen…

Written by

Matthew Thomas’ Top 60 Albums of 2017

Top 10 EPs of 2017 + Links to Listen & Buy…

 

1. Junius – Eternal Rituals for the Accretion of Light

https://junius-official.bandcamp.com/album/eternal-rituals-for-the-accretion-of-light

 

2. Mastodon – Emperor of Sand

http://www.mastodonrocks.com/

 

3. Elder – Reflections of a Floating World

https://beholdtheelder.bandcamp.com/album/reflections-of-a-floating-world

 

4. Samsara Blues Experiment –  One With The Universe

https://samsarabluesexperiment.bandcamp.com/album/one-with-the-universe

 

5. Racquet Club – Racquet Club

http://riserecords.merchnow.com/catalogs/racquet-club

 

6. Hobosexual – Monolith

https://hobosexualmusic.bandcamp.com/album/monolith

 

7. Kadavar – Rough Times

http://kadavar.com/

 

8. Our Ceasing Voice – Free Like Tonight

http://music.our-ceasing-voice.com/album/free-like-tonight

 

9. Bask – Ramble Beyond

https://basknc.bandcamp.com/

 

10. Wolf Parade – Cry Cry Cry

https://wolfparade.bandcamp.com/album/cry-cry-cry

 

11. Telekinetic Yeti – Abominable

https://telekineticyeti.bandcamp.com/album/abominable

 

12. Sorority Noise – You’re Not As ___ As You Think

https://sororitynoise.bandcamp.com/album/youre-not-as-as-you-think

 

13. Ethereal Riffian – Afterlight DVD

https://etherealriffian.bandcamp.com/

 

14. Quicksand – Interiors

https://quicksandnyc.bandcamp.com/album/interiors

 

15. Spidergawd – IV

https://www.stickman-records.com/shop/spidergawd-iv/

 

16. Forming the Void – Relic

https://formingthevoid.bandcamp.com/album/relic

 

17. All Them Witches – Sleeping Through the War

https://allthemwitches.bandcamp.com/album/sleeping-through-the-war

 

18. House of Lightning – Self Titled

https://houseoflightning.bandcamp.com/album/house-of-lightning

 

19. The Black Angels – Death Song

http://theblackangels.com/

 

20. Pallbearer – Heartless

https://profoundlorerecords.bandcamp.com/album/heartless

 

21. Ohhms – The Fool

https://ohhms.bandcamp.com/album/the-fool

 

22. VOKONIS – THE SUNKEN DJINN

https://vokonis.bandcamp.com/album/the-sunken-djinn

 

23. Mother Mars – On Lunar Highlands

https://mothermars.bandcamp.com/

 

24. Crackhouse – Be No One.  Be Nowhere.

https://crackhouseofficialband.bandcamp.com/album/be-no-one-be-nothing-2

 

25. LCD Soundsystem – American Dream

https://www.amazon.com/american-dream-LCD-Soundsystem/dp/B073Z99YP4/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1514830700&sr=1-1&keywords=lcd+soundsystem+vinyl

 

26. The Atomic Bitchwax – Force Field

https://theatomicbitchwax.bandcamp.com/

 

27. Spaceslug – Time Travel Dilemma

https://spaceslug.bandcamp.com/album/time-travel-dilemma

 

28. Slowdive – Self Titled

https://slowdive.bandcamp.com/album/slowdive

 

29. Nekromant – Snakes and Liars

https://nekromant.bandcamp.com/album/snakes-liars

 

30. Frozen Planet…1969 – From the Centre of A Parallel Universe

https://peppershakerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/from-the-centre-of-a-parallel-universe

 

31. Egypt – Cracks and Lines

https://egypt1.bandcamp.com/

 

32. Electric Orange – EOXXV

https://electricorange.bandcamp.com/album/eoxxv

 

33. Electric Age – Sleep of the Silent King

https://electricagela.bandcamp.com/album/sleep-of-the-silent-king

 

34. Comacozer – Kalos Eidos Skopeo

https://comacozer.bandcamp.com/album/kalos-eidos-skopeo

 

35. Pink Frost – New Minds

https://pinkfrost.bandcamp.com/

 

36. Deaf Radio – Alarm

https://deafradio.bandcamp.com/album/alarm

 

37. Red Scalp – Lost Ghosts

https://redscalp.bandcamp.com/album/lost-ghosts-2

 

38. Earth Drive – Stellar Drone

https://earthdrive.bandcamp.com/

 

39. I, Captain – Tiid

https://icaptain.bandcamp.com/album/tiid-2

 

40. Red Mountains – A Slow Wander

https://redmountains.bandcamp.com/album/slow-wander

 

41. Olde – Temple

https://stbrecords.bandcamp.com/album/olde-temple-2

 

42. Devil Electric – Self Titled

https://devilelectric.bandcamp.com/album/devil-electric

 

43. Sautrus – Anthony Hill

https://sautrus.bandcamp.com/album/anthony-hill

 

44. The Janitors – Horn Ur Marken

https://thejanitors.bandcamp.com/album/horn-ur-marken

 

45. Electric Moon – Stardust Rituals

https://electric-moon.bandcamp.com/album/stardust-rituals

 

46. The Re-Stoned – Chronoclasm

https://re-stoned.bandcamp.com/

 

47. Clouds Taste Satanic – The Glitter of Infinite Hell

https://cloudstastesatanic.bandcamp.com/album/the-glitter-of-infinite-hell

 

48. Ufomammut – 8

https://ufomammut.bandcamp.com/album/8-2

 

49. Lamina – Lilith

https://ragingplanet.bandcamp.com/album/l-mina-lilith

 

 

50. Space Witch – Arcanum

https://spacewitch.bandcamp.com/album/arcanum

 

The Final Tasty 10

 

51. Radio Moscow – New Beginnings

http://radiomoscow.net/

 

52. Geezer – Psychoriffadelia

https://geezertown.bandcamp.com/

 

53. Gypsy Sun Revival – Journey Outside of Time

https://gypsysunrevival.bandcamp.com/album/journey-outside-of-time

 

54. Tau Cross – Pillar of Fire

https://taucross.bandcamp.com/

 

55. Aphodyl // Cosmic Fall – Starsplit

https://psyka.bandcamp.com/album/starsplit

 

56. Summoner – Beyond The Realm of Light

https://summonerboston.bandcamp.com/

 

57. Contra – Deny Everything

https://robustfellow.bandcamp.com/album/deny-everything

 

58. Bloodnut – St. Ranga

https://bloodnut.bandcamp.com/

 

59. Poseidon – Prologue

https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/prologue

 

60. Propagandhi – Victory Lap

https://propagandhi.com/

 

 

Top 10 EPs of 2017

 

1. Mastodon – Cold Dark Place

http://www.mastodonrocks.com/

 

2. Howling Giant – Black Space Wizard Part 2

https://howlinggiant.bandcamp.com/album/black-hole-space-wizard-part-2

 

3. Kal-EL – Astrodoomeda

http://www.argonautarecords.com/shop/en/music-/235-kal-el-astrodoomeda-lp.html

 

4. Cachemira – Jungla

https://cachemira.bandcamp.com/album/jungla-2

 

5. Derelics – Guilty of Being Young

https://derelics.bandcamp.com/album/guilty-of-being-young

 

6. Bad Monster Black – Diablo

https://badmonsterblack.bandcamp.com/album/diablo-ep

 

7. MAIRA – EP

https://maira.bandcamp.com/album/ep

 

8. Traffic Death – Dead End

https://sumppumprecords.bandcamp.com/album/dead-end

 

9. 1968 – 1968 EP

https://1968band.bandcamp.com/releases

 

10. Norea – Norea

https://norea.bandcamp.com/

Andy Beresky’s Top 20 Albums of 2017 + Tip of the Cap + Disappointments + Links…

Written by

Andy “Dinger” Beresky’s Top 20 Albums, Honorable Mentions

& Biggest Disappointments of 2017

 

1. The War On Drugs – A Deeper Understanding

https://www.amazon.com/Deeper-Understanding-War-Drugs/dp/B072PT2R5P/ref=ice_ac_b_dpb?ie=UTF8&qid=1514561259&sr=8-1&keywords=the+war+on+drugs+a+deeper+understanding+vinyl

 

2. Slowdive – Slowdive

https://www.amazon.com/Slowdive/dp/B06XWNBCXG/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1514561338&sr=1-1&keywords=slowdive

 

3. Quicksand – Interiors

https://quicksandnyc.bandcamp.com/album/interiors

 

4. Converge – The Dusk In Us

https://convergecult.bandcamp.com/album/the-dusk-in-us

 

5. Pallbearer – Heartless

https://profoundlorerecords.bandcamp.com/album/heartless

 

6. Elder – Reflections Of A Floating World

https://beholdtheelder.bandcamp.com/album/reflections-of-a-floating-world

 

7. Father John Misty – Pure Comedy

https://fatherjohnmisty.bandcamp.com/album/pure-comedy

 

8. Junius – Eternal Rituals for the Accretion Of Light

https://junius-official.bandcamp.com/album/eternal-rituals-for-the-accretion-of-light

 

9. Unearthly Trance – Stalking The Ghost

https://unearthlytrance.bandcamp.com/album/stalking-the-ghost

 

10. Queens Of The Stone Age – Villains

https://www.amazon.com/Villains-Queens-Stone-Age/dp/B071G99QQ2/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1514562030&sr=1-1&keywords=queens+of+the+stone+age+villains

 

11. The National – Sleep Well Beast

https://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Well-Beast-National/dp/B0716RP8ZH/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1514562142&sr=1-1&keywords=the+national+sleep+well+beast

 

12. Electric Wizard – Wizard Bloody Wizard

http://www.electricfuckinwizard.com/

 

13. Mastodon – Emperor Of Sand

http://www.mastodonrocks.com/

 

14. Telekinetic Yeti – Abominable

https://telekineticyeti.bandcamp.com/album/abominable

 

15. Ruby The Hatchet – Planetary Space Child

https://thehatchet.bandcamp.com/album/planetary-space-child

 

16. Kadavar – Troubled Times

http://kadavar.com/

 

17. Pink Frost – New Minds

https://pinkfrost.bandcamp.com/album/new-minds

 

18. OHHMS – The Fool

https://ohhms.bandcamp.com/album/the-fool

 

19. Ufomammut – 8

https://ufomammut.bandcamp.com/album/8-2

 

20. Mogwai – Every Country’s Sun

https://temporaryresidence.bandcamp.com/album/every-countrys-sun

 

Honorable mentions:

Vokonis – The Sunken Djinn (Nice take on Sleep inspired stoner doom with a more stripped down edge)

https://vokonis.bandcamp.com/album/the-sunken-djinn

 

Monolord – Rust (A definite step towards a more original sound)

https://monolord.bandcamp.com/

 

Poseidon – Prologue (Nice take on YOB inspired doom metal)

https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/prologue

 

Primitive Man – Caustic (This is some righteous sludge, duder)

https://primitivemandoom.bandcamp.com/album/caustic

 

Kal-El – Astrodoomeda  (Very promising stoner doom, next time, leave off the Kyuss cover!!! Sweet Lucifer His Dark Majesty, just NO!!!!)

http://www.kal-el.no/

 

Disasteroid – Screen (Haven’t had the time for a full review and super critical listening, as I got it late in the year. Promising, inventful, and deserves a mention for certain.)

https://disastroid.bandcamp.com/

 

Biggest Disappointments:

Bell Witch – Mirror Reaper ( Really? Really????  This is what everyone is going so ga-ga about? This????)

https://bellwitch.bandcamp.com/album/mirror-reaper

At The Drive In – in•ter a•li•a  (You guys may want to take a listen to those new Slowdive and Quicksand albums, and use them as references for how to produce a proper comeback album)
https://www.atthedriveinofficialmerch.com/

Fleet Foxes – Crack-up (Yeah….this is pretty underwhelming for a comeback album as well, especially given the vitality of their earlier output)
http://fleetfoxes.co/crack-up

Also pretty surprised that Ufomammut made a decent album and didn’t end up on here, as I generally reserve them a spot under Biggest Disappointments.  Their latest did not disappoint me.

“The Ancient One’s” Top 25 of 2017…

Written by

Terry “The Ancient One” Cuyler’s
25 best albums of 2017

 

  1. Kadavar- Rough Times

http://www.nuclearblast.com/en/music/band/discography/details/4798138.2893136.rough-times.html

 

  1. Tau Cross – Pillar of Fire

https://taucross.bandcamp.com/

 

  1. PILLORIAN – Obsidian Arc

https://pillorian.bandcamp.com/album/obsidian-arc

 

  1. The Flight Of Sleipnir – Skadi

https://theflightofsleipnir.bandcamp.com/album/skadi

 

  1. Clouds Taste Satanic-The Glitter of Infinite Hell

https://cloudstastesatanic.bandcamp.com/album/the-glitter-of-infinite-hell

 

  1. Arcadea-Arcadea

https://arcadea.bandcamp.com/album/arcadea

 

  1. Mage- Green

https://mage.bandcamp.com/album/green

 

  1. Stone Lotus-Comastone

https://mage.bandcamp.com/album/green

 

  1. Thorr-Axe / Archarus-The Hobbit Split-Album

https://thorr-axe.bandcamp.com/album/thorr-axe-archarus-the-hobbit-split

 

  1. KAL-EL-Astrodoomeda

http://www.argonautarecords.com/shop/en/music-/214-kal-el-astrodoomeda-cd.html?search_query=kaL_EL&results=6

 

  1. Lich King-The Omniclasm

http://music.lichkingmetal.com/album/the-omniclasm

 

  1. Trivium-The Sin And The Sentence

http://www.trivium.org/

 

  1. Vokonis-The Sunken Djinn

https://vokonis.bandcamp.com/album/the-sunken-djinn

 

  1. Psy:code-MØRKE

https://psycode.bandcamp.com/

 

  1. Red Moon Architect-Return Of The Black Butterflies

http://bit.ly/2pU6a6l

 

  1. Temple of Void-Lords of Death

https://templeofvoid.bandcamp.com/album/lords-of-death

 

  1. Paradise Lost-Medusa

https://paradiselost2.bandcamp.com/releases

 

  1. Overkill-The Grinding Wheel

https://media.nuclearblast.de/shoplanding/2017/Overkill/the-grinding-wheel.html

 

  1. Nekromant-Snakes & Liars

https://nekromant.bandcamp.com/album/snakes-liars

 

  1. Electric Wizard-Wizard Bloody Wizard Bloody Wizard

http://www.electricfuckinwizard.com/

 

  1. Devil Electric-Devil Electric

https://devilelectric.bandcamp.com/album/devil-electric

 

  1. The Black Capes-All These Monsters

https://darktunes.bandcamp.com/album/all-these-monsters

 

  1. Mastodon-Cold Dark Place

http://www.mastodonrocks.com/

 

  1. RUBY THE HATCHET-PLANETARY SPACE CHILD

https://thehatchet.bandcamp.com/album/planetary-space-child

 

  1. The Necromancers-Servants of the Salem Girl

https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/servants-of-the-salem-girl

 

Kal-El “Astrodoomeda” Album Review + Music Video + Stream…

Written by

Kal-El

ASTRODOOMEDA – CD // DD

Argonauta Records – Released August 25th, 2017

Reviewed by Terry “The Ancient One” Cuyler

Lineup:
Cpt Ulven – Vocals
Roffe – Guitars
Liz – Bass
Bjudas – Drums

Prepare to Rock ‘N’ Roll Earthling

Review:
Hey Tasters this is your old friend “The Ancient One” and today’s flavor is psychedelic space rock from Kal-El, the fuzzed-out step children of hard rock and heavy metal. Founded in Norway in 2012 by members of Theatre of Tragedy, Six Eyes Lost and Desspo, the band Kal-El quickly got to work rehearsing for its debut and formed a sort of family / domestic following doing gigs throughout their native country Norway’s many venues. On November, 28th, 2012  Kal-El self-released it’s 1st single called “Dark Moon Voyage”, quickly followed by their debut full length album “Pakel” released May 26th, 2014 on Wyrmhole of Death Records which was followed by “Ecosphere,” released on Setalite Records on August, 22nd, 2015.  And now after two years of hard work Kal-El is preparing to release it’s 3rd album “Astrodoomeda” on Aug 25th, 2017 Argonauta records.

Promo Image

As a lover of heavy metal, hard rock, doom, psychedelia, and space rock I refuse to review stuff if I am not feeling it. So rather than saying oh what a great album I researched Kal-El’s past music before I even listened to the advanced copy of “Astrodoomeda.” What I discovered through their music videos and overall band concept is they put on one hell of a show.

Listening to the album “Astrodoomeda” was like smoking a bowl and watching the old black and white episodes of Buck Rogers, Flash Gordan, or the animated movie Heavy Metal. Musically this band is tight!! Liz lays down some gnarly bass grooves that blend with drummer  Bjudas’s beats that create smooth rolling rhythms, and other times rolling thunder as Roffe plays fuzzed out psychedelic leads that Cpt. Ulver uses to give his vocals an even more spaced out sound.

Besides the title track, ‘Astrodoomeda’, some of my favorite tracks ‘MOTHERSHIP’ in which you see the sonic blast coming from Bjudas’s drums in the band’s video. I also enjoyed ‘LUNA’, ‘STARLIGHT SHADE’ and the band’s cover of the Kyuss song ‘GREEN MACHINE’. While I think lovers of Black Sabbath, Monster Magnet, Nebula, and Kyuss are naturally going to love this album, fans of Greenleaf and Horisont might want to check this out too .

Additional Links:

http://www.kal-el.no

http://www.argonautarecords.com/shop/music-/214-kal-el-astrodoomeda-cd.html