Metal Insider intern/contributor Chris Annunziata’s Top 10 metal albums of 2017

5) Hundred Suns – The Prestaliis (Cooking Vinyl)

Hundred Suns is a mini super group that consists of members of Every Time I Die and Norma Jean. I put this album in my Top 5 because it took me awhile to put this album down and listen to something else. Tracks like “Bedburner” and “Fractional” were constantly stuck in my head and had me humming the choruses all day long. The album is very straight forward and has really good songwriting. Sometimes a simple approach provides the best outcome.

Suggested track: “Fractional”

4) Mastodon – Emperor of Sand (Reprise Records)

I don’t think Mastodon are capable of putting out a bad album. Every album they put out is different but still amazing. I remember when the band released the single, “The Motherload” on their previous album, Once More ‘Round the Sun and everyone was talking about the style change. Then on this record, they go and write “Show Yourself” which was even more of a leap from their sound. That’s one of the main reasons I love Mastodon and this record. To see how far the band has come from Remission is just astounding.

Suggested track: “Show Yourself” (Yep, I picked Show Yourself)

3) My Ticket Home – UnReal (Spinefarm)

I am so glad I stumbled upon this band. Before this album, I never heard anything from this band. From start to finish, every song is great. There are no filler tracks on this album, there are no tracks to skip. It’s always great to find an album that has tracks that can fit any mood.

Suggested track: “Flee the Flesh”

2) Fit For An Autopsy – The Great Collapse (eOne)

It was really hard to decide whether this album would get the #1 or #2 spot. This album is just so good. It’s ridiculously heavy and groovy. Even the slower, calmer parts are equally as amazing. I’m pretty sure I was humming the 2 minute mark of “Heads Will Hang” for weeks. Immense props to Fit For An Autopsy on a fantastic record.

Suggested track: “Heads Will Hang”

1) Trivium – The Sin and the Sentence (Roadrunner Records)

The #1 spot has to go to my guys in Trivium. I’ve been following Trivium for a long time now and will definitely say this is their best work since Shogun. For this album vocalist, Matt Heafy brought back his sick scream, which I longed for on the last album. This record has all the elements of Trivium we love and has tremendous replay value. After my first listen, I’m pretty sure I listened to this album another three times in a row.