In a few days 2017 will be over and the time has come to present the albums that made the cut for each and every one of us and of course the list of the 20 top albums of 2017 according to ProgRocks.gr, something that keeps us on tenterhooks, beacause the result is always unpredictable.
Just like 2016, 2015 and 2014, our preferences differed to a high degree. As a matter of fact, each one of us included, on average, nearly 4.6 unique albums, verifying once more the diversity of our tastes. Of course the importance of the aggregate, but also the personal lists, is not confined in the ranking itself; their importance, for all it’s worth, lies not so much in the strict order of the ranking, but these lists can be viewed as a source for 124 listening suggestions, which are not limited to prog, but come largely from the undreground music scene of various genres.
An impressive fact that differentiates this year’s list from those of previous years is that the votes of #1 album surpassed those of the #2 by far, similarly to #2 and #3, while from then on, the differences were very small.
Let the countdown begin…
“…the album is, in essence, a hotchpotch of feelings – on the one hand grief, melancholy, rage and optimism on the other – pervasive and tangible in every song. They say that every artist pours a part of his soul into their work. My view is that in Fractured Mariusz unfolds his feelings trying to find himself and achieve catharsis by creating a totally personal and an undoubtedly remarkable album.” |
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18. Heat Exchange – Reminiscence
“…this album is a lost gem which if it were released in the early 70s, it would definitely have at least the same glamour of other exceptional Canadian albums of that era, e.g. Amish, Ellison and A Foot In Coldwater. Focusing on aggressive guitar riffs, the absolutely precise rhythm section and the passionate vocals, Heat Exchange offer 10 tight and diverse tracks…” |
“Grails prove with Chalice Hymnal that originality is not necessarily the desired result in music. By adding some new elements in relation to the style of their previous album and by using their past as a compass, they managed to give us the most mature album of their career so far, based on composition and orchestration and present an album that will probably earn the title of Black Album in their discography.” “…Chalice Hymnal finds Grails in a continuous process of creativity which will resemble to an endoscopic search together with quite a few “explosions”… Grails reveal a latent pluralism which is admittedly difficult to fit the post-rock label. Fans of the genre, as well as followers of the group, will surely be satisfied while friends of the experimental rock scene will find several entries in this album to satisfy their taste.” |
16. Skog Under Jord – Skog Under Jord “If the album had actually been released in that time from a known band it would be commemorated to this day, while if it had been released from an unrecognized one, the vinyl would be sold at exorbitant prices and would adorn every record collection of the followers of obscure prog sound. Imperative to listen, among the best releases of this year at least.” “The debut of Skog Under Jord is a hidden gem in the contemporary underground rock scene. The prog / psych of the Swedes is based on pure jamming character, with amazing flow and development and fiery changes. The typical dark melodiousness of the Nordic prog of the 70s reigns in both epics that make up this amazing album. I’m trying to remember the last time everything was so perfect in an album with two one-side songs. I honestly don’t remember.” |
15. Arabs in Aspic – Syndenes Magi
“…they sound better than ever, offering us one of the best albums we are about to listen this year. The three lengthy compositions of the album do not wear the listener out in the least, since the adventurous prog development is spot-on and, mainly, the themes and the melodies in there are inspired.” |
14. Hollow Earth – Out of Atlantis
“King Crimson, Camel, Deep Purple and many more influences from the legendary 70s coexist in the magnificent compositions of the Swedes which emanate an intense vintage feeling but they possess a gorgeous character thanks to the impeccable playing and the chemistry. Especially when it is solo-time, you can tell that the band is tight as it gets, with solid ideas about jamming and well-rounded views on the vintage prog.” |
13. Elder – Reflections of a Floating World
“Reflections of a Floating World is probably their best moment with its epic sounds transfering the listener into the orbit of an exciting journey. References to the 70s are the permanent inspiration for the band, which is now enriched by the late 60s, post-rock and undoubtedly by Mastodon. The unpretentiously large compositions are the field where colossal riffs set up unthinkable roots to distant galaxies, raiding towards unexplored worlds.” |
12. Threshold – Legends of the Shires “…Threshold still write something only if it is worthy and adds to the song and not just filling it (be it a theme, or a solo, or anything else), their lengthier compositions never make you feel that you do listen to something lengthy, they compose catchy choruses and melodies and they maintain this ability of theirs to communicate with people who are not musicians in spite of their tremendous technical skills.” “Everything that the fans of the band are attached to is here: amazing lead and rhythm guitar parts by Karl Groom, superb keyboards by Richard West who is, as always, meaningful, tight rhythm section, catchy choruses and riffs that go straight into your head.” |
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10. Pain Of Salvation – In The Passing Light of Day
“In The Passing Light of Day is pretty much straight forward but also a bit proggier than the Road Salt albums and quite heavy. There is a lot of music to be digested which makes the album more of a grower. The vocals of Daniel Gildenlöw are as excellent as usual, as well as some of the guitar riffs which in the heavy tracks reach even a more djent like sound. While not one of the bands best albums, with a few drawbacks, this is very good return for Pain of Salvation which will surely please most fans.” |
09. Yolk – Solar
“Melodies and themes follow one another with an enviable flow that conveys the listener to an avant-prog feast with a RIO base, intense pompous zeuhl spirit and the peculiar psychedelic Yolk element that makes the whole result unique. Rhythm is the main driver and catalyst, but not so much with its usual rigor within the RIO genre, but with an irresistible groove that everyone deserves to experience.” |
08. Soft Power – In A Brown Study
“Anything beautiful that comes to mind originating from the North is here to be found. From Wigwam, Pärson Sound and a healthy dose of Can influence to the great Dungen. Basically, it is no-brainer to say that the basis is the combination of jazz with the late-1960s / early-1970s psychedelic scene. In A Brown Study turned out to be a genuinely pleasant surprise, a guaranteed enjoyment for the seasoned listeners and those who long for acid journeys.” |
07. Enslaved – E “Enslaved honor their roots but at the same time you feel they are a bit detached from the blackness of their past and they do it with a lot of grace and style that some bands would envy. Perhaps they are the band that combines progressive with the extreme metal sound better than any other. No, there is no bad or average song on the record, there is no filler and for many it could and will be among the top albums of the year. One thing is certain: it’s their best album since Axioma with their interest, appetite and musicality still soaring.” “Enslaved sail with their restored drakkar in deep waters with the unparalleled boldness of their progeny to securely carry an album that can be described as the most progressive of the career and the climax of the style they have adopted in recent years. E moves masterfully between metal and progressive rock with folk melodies and jazz spots emerging as flowers of rare beauty on this monument.” |
06. Leprous – Malina
“Α great return album by the Norwegians, who, after “testing the waters” of change with Coal and The Congregation, seem to have solidified on their style and found the near-perfect balance. Muse, Radiohead και Mastodon mix in the sound, which retains its heaviness, resulting in a work with plenty of character. If this is Leprous’ light side, we surely want more.” |
05. Caligula’s Horse – In Contact
“Vintage prog metal, djent and alternative influences are blended seamlessly. Technical skills and songmanship balance wonderfully here, which is the desideratum for a prog metal band, but as we all know it is easier said than done. One of the best albums of the progressive metal in the last few years, self-luminous with an identity of its own.” |
04. Mastodon – Emperor of Sand
“…the songs emanate a more rock n’ roll attitude, a fact that renders – to my ears – the record as the most enjoyable of their career. In their seventh release, Mastodon deliver eleven songs in an even and amazing album which already declares candidacy for a position among the best albums of the year.” |
03. Nova Collective – The Further Side
“…an album of high compositional standards, where progressive metal meets jazz and improvisation. Nova Collective gave birth to a magnificent instrumental album, one of the top releases of the current year.” |
02. Wobbler – From Silence to Somewhere “Wobbler put together not just their best album so far, but rather a top-notch prog release in the current decade. It seems that the No.1 slot is strictly a Norwegian matter, and rightfully so.” “There is no dip in excitement throughout the 48 minutes of symphonic grandiose and relentless symphonic prog recitals. Wobbler seem to have struck a balance between melody and virtuosity as at no point the album deviates to unnecessary improvisations; a carefully planned journey between silence and somewhere and eventually to the top of 2017 prog albums; palingenesia after Yes, Genesis and Änglagård…” |
“The Tower is the antithesis of a musical tower of Babel. In the tower of Motorpsycho all the tribes and species communicate perfectly with each other, creating a musical mosaic that every seasoned listener should pay attention to. In my opinion, it is the best thing they have done since The Death Defying Unicorn. While we absorb it, it may make it to the top of their discography. Twenty-six years after their debut, by the way…“ “At times, the riffs are heavier than ever, while there is a constant interchange of rhythms and moods throughout the songs. In the adventurous world of The Tower, a flute or mellotron part may follow a heavy riff, creating sounds of extraordinary beauty. They are one of the best bands out there right now and this is an album that may end as a fulcrum in their long career. One of the best albums of the year.” |
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