NO NONSENSE METAL REVIEWS: SEVEN (OF THE) BEST EXTREME METAL ALBUMS OF 2017

SEVEN (OF THE) BEST EXTREME METAL ALBUMS OF 2017

   Another year, another extensive selection of new material to choose from, another opinionated list of the very best of the year. Regardless of the fact that this time of year sees music media swamped with "best of" lists, here is another (and obviously the best) list of the year's releases that deserve some attention. So here's to a fantastic year for Metal music, long may it continue!

7: KREATOR: GODS OF VIOLENCE

   Without Kreator, would there really be any extreme Metal? Probably, but without these German Thrash-Metal pioneering Gods, the scene would look very different indeed. A band that has always mastered speed and pure aggression, combining it with infectious rhythms and a sharp melodic edge, nowhere is this skill more evident than of the superb Gods Of Violence. Kreator's previous releases, including the flawless, Phantom Antichrist and even as far back as their masterpiece, Extreme Aggression, have always been very difficult albums to follow, but somehow, Kreator have always managed to succeed and in many opinions, top them. Gods Of Violence is no exception to the trend. 

   Gods Of Violence houses a plethora of excellent, heavy, fast and hard songs, including; the ominously titled Thrash anthem, "Satan Is Real", the tour de force of "Totalitarian Terror" and the epic "Death Becomes My Light". This may not be Kreator's best album, in some opinions, but there is no denying that this is a sterling piece of work, by one of the best bands in the business. 

6: SIX FEET UNDER: TORMENT

   Six Feet Under have done it again, as the sinister, smashing and grooving war machine unleashes yet another Death-Metal masterpiece. Torment delivers on so many levels, a streamlined and consistent album overall, this is an album of killer material start to finish. Sticking firmly to the Six Feet Under recipe, Torment is one for the faithful, with tracks such as "Exploratory Homicide", the pounding assault of "The Separation Of Flesh From Bone" and "Obsidian", guaranteed to induce bestial moshing in any victim. Pioneering legend, Chris Barnes, leads his band through wave after wave of grotesque Death, with his signature, unmistakable vocal prowess. The musicianship displayed on this album is flawless, executing song after song and earworm after earworm with great precision. Overall, Torment is the bands best release in years, and begs the question, can it get much better than this? 


Read the full review here: http://nononsensemetalreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/six-feet-under-torment.html

5: BELPHEGOR: TOTENRITUAL  

   Seamlessly fusing Black-Metal and Death-Metal, Belphegor's magnificent new album is like a massive Satanic punch in the face. Totenritual is absolutely crushing, leaning considerably more towards an overall Death-Metal sound than previous releases, boasting shed loads of blastbeats, throbbing riffs and demonic vocals. "Swinfever - Regent Of Pigs", the ferocious Black-Metal sermons of "Apophis - Black Dragon" and "Totenkult - Exegesis Of Deterioration", and the skull shattering "Embracing A Star", are definitely standout moments on the album. These tracks deliver audio Evil possibly capable of evoking the lord of Hell himself, but definitely capable of evoking serious headbanging.

Read the full review here: http://nononsensemetalreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/belphegor-totenritual.html

4: VALLENFYRE: FEAR THOSE WHO FEAR HIM

   Vallenfyre's third full-length is doubtlessly one of the crustiest, filthiest and most diverse releases of the year. Dealing merciless barrages of grind, crust and Death-Doom, Fear Those Who Fear him is as relentless as it is intoxicating. Although the album is packed full of amazing songs, tracks such a; "An Apathetic Grave", "Dead World Breathes" and "Degeneration" are nothing short of breathtaking. Like a cauldron mixing all the best bits of Asphyx, Entombed and, unsurprisingly, Paradise Lost, this is a release worthy of great praise.

Read the full review here: http://nononsensemetalreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/vallenfyre-fear-those-who-fear-him.html
 

3: OBITUARY: OBITUARY  

   Obituary are one of those legendary bands who never fail to deliver the goods. Their self-titled album is more than worth of the name, containing material that rivals the brilliance of their essential early releases, Cause Of Death and The End Complete. The Death-Metal pioneers infuse their unique signature sound with Thrash elements and bucket loads of groove, resulting is a flawless record of pure headbang inducing savagery. For proof of Obituary's majesty, just listen to "A Lesson In Violence" and "Straight To Hell", and witness these legends on top form, at the top of their game. 

2: GOD DETHRONED: THE WORLD ABLAZE

   The third and final chapter in God Dethroned's tour of the trenches, The World Ablaze, is their most barbaric bombardment yet. Just like a Mk 4 Tank, God Dethroned roll through wave after wave of metallic storms, unleashing a tirade of melodic Death-Metal with pure fury. A far sleeker release than the previous two, this final chapter is blunt and without any let up. It is almost impossible to choose highlights from this album, however; "Annihilation Crusade", "Escape Across The Ice (The White Army)" and "Messina Ridge", provide more than just a history lesson, they provide your ears with exquisite audio annihilation and some of the best Death-Metal that this legendary band has ever forged.

1: MEMORIAM: FOR THE FALLEN  

     Forged by members of Death-Metal forefathers, Bolt Thrower and Benediction, Memoriam keep the torches burning with one of the greatest old-school Death-Metal albums of the decade, let alone the year. Debut album, For The Fallen is packed full of solid material, delivered masterfully and with superb musicianship. Tracks such as; "War Rages On", the absolutely crushing "Surrounded (By Death)" and "Resistance", deliver pure Death-Metal with intensity, addictive rhythms and all the brutality of the glory days, while the Punk infused, "Corrupted System" and epic eye opening album finale, "Last Words", provide spectacular memorable moments. Overall, For The Fallen is a fantastic and very unique album, putting the Death-Metal bar very high indeed. 



   
   2017 has been an incredible year for extreme music, although this list contains only a mere 7 of the best, there have been countless other works of musical genius and audio assault that are more than worthy of a listen;

• Cannibal Corpse: Red Before Black
• Morbid Angel: Kingdoms Distained
• Paradise Lost: Medusa
• Implore: Subjugate
• Incantation: Profane Nexus
• Power Trip: Nightmare Logic
• Destruction: Thrash Anthems II
• Sinister: Syncretism

THANK YOU FOR READING! FEEL FREE TO COMMENT OR ASK ANY QUESTIONS! PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS POST IS BASED ON MY OWN OPINION, IF YOU DISAGREE.....THAT IS YOUR PROBLEM! HAHA! \m/