THAT DRUMMER GUY'S TOP 100 ALBUMS OF 2017 PART II: 100-81

Alright Folks! It's time for the list you've all been waiting for...THE TOP 100 ALBUMS OF 2017!

For any first timers to my style of Best of Lists, here is a quick run down (which I'll also be featuring on the other parts of the top 100 and other musical lists as well.)

As with the last few years of this list I made up criteria of what constitutes this list and it is as follows:

1.) A full release
2.) Not a live album, covers album, Best of, or b-sides/rarities album. A complete original studio album (bonus covers or live tracks are A-OK)
3.) Of the Rock/Metal varieties (From Pop Rock, to Death Metal, to Noise can make this list)
4.) I had to have either bought the album or received the album via promo, by the release date of December 8th. IF you release an album after this date, you are just being a jerk to everyone that wants to show you off on their Best Of Lists.
5.) My personal taste

A bit more rambling before the list commences...

I can't state enough how any album featured in the following 100 albums are albums I really, really enjoy. Not a single one of these I consider to be bad or meh or something I feel you shouldn't check out. While many struggle to put together 3 or 5 or 10 of their favorite albums of the year. I struggle to make a top 100 without feeling like I left something awesome out.

And with that, there will no doubt be albums that people will not see in any of the following lists (100 best of, EPs, covers, epics, etc) that people will feel like I am insane for not putting on these lists. Here is why they are not going to be on those lists in order of likelyhood...

1.) As noted above, I didn't get to listen to it enough.
2.) Did not hear it at all.
3.) It's just not my bag, baby.

So let's get this party started! Albums 100-81!


100) M.O.D.- Busted, Broke, & American
FFO- Hardcore, Pop Punk, Billy Milano

It's about time that we got a new album in some capacity from Billy Milano, and we got some of his best work to date. Covering so much ground about the current state of the world. Fast, heavy, and unapologetic, I wouldn't have M.O.D. be any other way. It's awesome to see Milano back and writing such awesome music.

99.) Satan Takes A Holiday- Aliens
FFO- Garage Rock

YOU don't need to be complex and heavy all the time. Sometimes all you need is a good, catchy song. That is exactly what Satan Takes A Holiday perfects. A great collection of songs running the gambit of Rock and Roll, but keeping their awesome sound. A lot of Top 40 Rock bands could really learn something from these guys; music would be progressing a lot further if that was the case.

98.) Panzer- Fatal Command
FFO- NWOBHM, Thrash Metal

Schmier (Destruction) can really do no wrong and that's definitely the case with the sophomore album from this amazing lineup known as Panzer. Fast, heavy, catchy, just the right amount of thrash with the NWOBHM showcased and just stellar songwriting. If you wanna hear how a revival of the NWOBHM should sound, do yourself a favor and pick this up!

97.) Elvenking- Secrets of the Magick Grimoire
FFO- Folk Metal, Power Metal

Elvenking has always been one of the more underrated bands of it's style. The positive thing that comes with that is the band gets to keep it's integrity and write the music they want to write. This latest album showcases their strongest assets of Power Metal, Folk Metal, and brilliant songwriting. IF you need something fresh in your Power Metal, make sure to check out Elvenking!

96.) Boris- Dear
FFO- Doom Metal, Stoner Rock, Post Rock

The Japanese masters of experimentation are back with Dear. A more atmospheric blend of Doom and Stoner rock. Great heavy moments, lots of drone/atmospheric moments, and a great sonic trip for the senses. There is rumor that this is part of their final recording sessions (which I really hope is not the case). IF that is true, this first album of those sessions is the start of a fantastic sendoff.

95.) Stephen Pearcy- Smash
FFO- Ratt, 80s Metal, 80s Hard Rock

I'm not sure what it is (though the trend is dying off, thankfully) where bands and musicians from the 80s consistently feel they have to write bland, uninspired adult contemporary music. Kudos to them for writing what they want to write, but it almost never feels inspired. That is totally NOT the case here. It can be easy to write off Pearcy or anyone associated with Ratt thanks to all the controversy surrounding the band, but you'd be foolish to do so. There is some great heavy rockers on this album, some heartfelt ballads and an overall consistent album that really just speaks for itself. Smash proves that no matter what era of music you come from, you are always capable of writing your best music in the present.

94.) Cut Up- Wherever They May Rot
FFO- Classic Death Metal

Fast, heavy, aggressive, evil, and phenomenal songwriting. This is how I love my Death Metal. While more over the top, technical, and diverse Death Metal bands are ones I love, sometimes all I need is an album of bangers. That's what this album is.  For the Death Metal fan in you, go pick this up, kick back, and enjoy.

93.) Jorn- Life on Death Road
FFO- Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Power Metal

Jorn Lande is one of my favorite frontman in all of music. Besides just being an absolutely great guy, he has such an amazing range in his vocals and such a keen ear to what should be on an album. Life On Death Road is Jorn's first solo album in quite a number of years, but it's great to have this album to see where Jorn's state of mind is. With a new lineup, a very inspired sound, and just a great collection of songs, Jorn can do no wrong.

92.) Comeback Kid-  Controller
FFO- Metalcore, Hardcore, Pop Punk

In a quite interesting turn of events, this is one of the poppiest albums in Comeback Kid's catalog. While there are some great rippers on the album, there is just as many great pop punk future classic that feel just as appropriate. It's great to hear the band making a true effort to make the album they want to make, and it was absolutely for the best.

91.) The Dark Element- The Dark Element
FFO- Modern Metal, Power Metal, Hard Rock

Such a great collaboration of Annette Olzon and Jani Liimatainen. Taking the idea of writing catchy, poppy metal with showing off the styles of Nightwish and Cain's Offering that they are best known for. There is no filler on this album, just a great mix of Rock, Metal, and Pop, that is sure to have find something you really enjoy. Give it a try.

90.) GWAR- The Blood Of Gods
FFO- Heavy Metal, Punk Rock, GWAR

This album is a complete shock to the system. There are so many people that wrote off the band when frontman Oderus Urungus passed away. It really feels like the band took that negative energy now surrounding the band and make one of the best albums in the band's history. Much more focus on Punk Rock, great catchy melodies, and and overall sense that GWAR, while missing their fallen frontman of the past, has just as much life in the band as ever before. DO yourself a favor; if you wrote off the band, change your mind and give this album a proper chance. You'll be glad you did.

89.) Ember Falls- Welcome To Ember Falls
FFO- Modern Metal

This absolutely stunning debut album blew my mind. While the album is listed down this far on the list, do not let this throw you off. IF you want one of the most inspired Modern Metal album you've ever heard, pick this one up! It covers so much ground on catchiness, melodies, harmonies, and heaviness, it's a sound that I know the band will progress on for years to come. IF this is just the debut, just wait for what is to come next.

88.) Trees On Mars- Hello, Mr. Pioneer
FFO- Instrumental Rock, Progressive Rock, Post Rock

The Sophomore album from this trio showcases everything that was awesome about the first album and expands upon it tenfold. The catchy moments are catchier. The heavy moments are heavier, the prog is proggier. Just a completely solid album from start to finish and a great display of how bands that don't use vocals should be writing their albums.

87.) Cannibal Corpse- Red Before Black
FFO- Death Metal

You know what you are getting with a CC album. It's going to be fast, it's going to be brutal, and it's going to have moments that remind you why you love the album so much. With Erik Rutan back on production; the band has written their best album since Kill. There's not really any more you need to know. Cannibal Corpse is rejuvenated and they are still at the top of their game.

86.) Life Of Agony- A Place Where There's No More Pain
FFO- Groove Metal, Alternative Metal

LOA's first album in 8 years and 5th overall; the band has put their stamp onto the metal legacy with their blend of haunting grooves and heavy atmosphere. The band sounds just as fresh as ever with this release. With the band rejuvenated and ready to rock, the band is showing that no matter what happens with the band and it's members, they will always put out a solid release that is well worth your time.

85.) Trivium- The Sin And The Sentence
FFO- Trivium

There is really no point in trying to categorize Trivium in 2017. No two albums sound the same, whether it's the Metalcore classic, Ascendancy or the band's last album that was heavy on Power Metal and Modern Rock, Silence In The Snow. This album showcases a little bit of everything the band can pull off. If you've dug anything Trivium has done in the past, you'll easily find something to enjoy about this album. It's as if it's a best of album of all new material. Trivium has marked their place in metal history and this is another great example of how the band will just continue to impress and destroy.

84.) Serious Black- Magic
FFO- Power Metal

It's not just an album title, it doesn't just describe the tone of said, album; this album literally is magic. Serious Black is one of those amazing lineups of musicians that seems incapable of writing a dud if they tried. Magic covers so much ground of what makes Power Metal such a great genre while truly making things their own. If you want a Power Metal album to really, and I mean REALLY impress you, go check these guys out NOW!

83.) Hark- Machinations
FFO- Red Fang, Baroness, Down, Clutch

This album is going to be under the radar for a lot of people and that is a complete crying shame. This is such a great, inspired album. If you dig that Southern Metal/Stoner Metal vibe that the bands listed in the FFO section does, this band does it with a unique twist and does it flawlessly. You need this band in your life, quit holding out!

82.) MindMaze- Resolve
FFO- Power Metal, Progressive Metal

Had I heard the album earlier in the year, this would be much higher up on my list. With the band's 3rd full length, they have really found their niche of Prog, Power, and their own influences to great fantastic epics, solid singles, and haunting ballads. This band is continuing to grow bigger and bigger with every release; once you give them a listen, it'll be easy to understand why.

81.) Antropomorphia- Sermon Ov Death
FFO- Death Metal

Much like I talked about above with Cut Up; I love completely solid Death Metal. When done right there is no need for extra frills and gimmicks, you just need solid songwriting. Antropomorphia does this in strides. While tempo fluctuates throughout the album, it is one of it's biggest highlights. Whether it is all guns blazing, or just a mid tempo monster, the band covers it all and it just continues to slay listen after listen. Truly evil Death Metal with everything you need to get lead to the darkness. Go pick this up!


And there you go kids. 20 albums down, 80 to go. Stay tuned for Part III: 80-61. The hits will keep on coming, guaranteed!