The Best of 2017 (Feature)

First of all, hello, and welcome to Decibel Geek. For the uninitiated, we are a hard rock/heavy metal website and weekly podcast. Decibel Geek began as a weekly podcast presented by hosts Chris Czynszak and Aaron Camaro and has consequently grown into what you find here today. Alongside the weekly issued, absolutely free podcast episodes, our website features photo galleries from live events around the world as well a direct feed to our YouTube channel, DBGTV. Our website team encompasses some 40 authors and contributors from Sweden, UK, Japan, USA, Belgium, Australia, and Canada. While you’re here feel free to look around, listen to a podcast, read some album reviews or watch some live concert videos. Furthermore, feel free to share and let us know what you think.

In addition, our staff grew by quite a bit throughout 2017, we were able to welcome new contributors from around the globe to the team. In 2017, Decibel Geek also celebrated its 6th birthday and a podcast milestone of 300 episodes. The weekly podcast reached new highs in the iTunes podcast charts, expanding the audience through exciting and informative weekly episodes and entertaining special guests such as Perry Richardson, Wallygator & The Meister, Brian Davis, Casey Conspiracy, Toddzilla, Joe Becht, David Hudson, Michael Wagener & Toby Wright, Sandy Gennaro, Pixie Esmonde, Gene Simmons Band, Donny Vie, Steven Michael, Stevie Rachelle, Henning Mielke, Scott Van Zen, Sonny Pooni, Rikki Rockett, Rik Fox, Denman, Luc Carl and, Bobby Rock!

As the year draws to a close, many of the staff here at Decibel Geek Podcast/Website have compiled their list of the top ten albums, the best of 2017. This year saw a whopping amount of strong releases issued in every sub-genre. With the widely varied tastes and interests of our staff, you can imagine our top ten is quite widespread. Participating staff submitted their personal top ten lists (each of which appears below) and the bands were assigned points depending on where they ranked in that particular list (1 point for #10 and 10 points for #1).

The points were then tallied up to provide the collective best of 2017 from all of us here at the Decibel Geek Website. We decided that including EPs was acceptable, however, we discounted Live albums and Greatest Hits collections. Many of these albums have seen reviews here on Decibel Geek and those links appear next to the album title in this list. To purchase the album simply click the album’s title and you’ll be spirited to Amazon.

Finally, while we might not always agree on these things, one thing’s for sure: we all love music! Due to some of my colleague’s picks, I personally, have been inspired to revisit some albums that did not make the cut for me, as well as explore some new ones. We hope that we can turn you onto some of the great efforts of 2017 if you haven’t been already.

Please support these bands and all of your favorite artists to keep the music alive and flowing by clicking on the included links to purchase. With some already exciting releases on the horizon for 2018, don’t forget to check out our “Upcoming Release” section updated regularly and follow Decibel Geek on Social Media: iTunes / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Instagram

DECIBEL GEEK PODCAST’S COLLECTIVE TEN BEST OF 2017:

• 10 – Bobaflex – Eloquent Demons (17 pts) (Album Review) / Mark Slaughter – Halfway There (17 pts) (Album Review)
• 09 – Burnt Out Wreck – Swallow (18 pts) (Album Review) / Night Ranger – Don’t Let Up (18 pts) (Album Review) / Living Color – Shade (18 pts) (Album Review) /Harem Scarem – United (18 pts) (Album Review)
• 08 – The Glorious Sons – Young Beauties and Fools (26 pts) (Album Review)
• 07 – Accept – Rise of Chaos (27 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Thunder – Rip It Up (29 pts) (Album Review)
• 05 – Revolution Saints – Light in the Dark (34 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – L.A. Guns – Missing Peace (37 pts)
• 03 – Warrant – Louder, Harder, Faster 38 pts) (Album Review)
• 02 – Shakra – Snakes & Ladders 43 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Eclipse – Momentum (52 pts) (Album Review)

INDIVIDUAL STAFF’S TOP TEN PICKS:

Neil “Beezer” Bees (staff writer – Australia)

• 10 – Thunder – Rip It Up (1 pts) (Album Review)
• 09 – Stone Sour – Hydrograd (2 pts)
• 08 – Arch Enemy – Will to Power (3 pts) (Album Review)
• 07 – The Darkness – Pinewood Smile (4 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Trivium – The Sin and the Sentence (5 pts)
• 05 – We Came As Romans – Cold Like War (6 pts)
• 04 – Paradise Lost – Medusa (7 pts)
• 03 – Mastodon – Emperor of Sand (8 pts)
• 02 – The Soul Exchange – Vow of Seth (9 pts) (Album Review) (Interview)
• 01 – Sparzanza – Announcing the End (10 pts) (Album Review) (Interview)

“Bakko” (staff writer/photographer – USA)

• 10 – Danko Jones – Wildcat (1 pts) (Album Review)
• 09 – Alice Cooper – Paranormal (2 pts) (Album Review)
• 08 – Foo Fighters – Concrete and Gold (3 pts) (Album Review)
• 07 – Goodbye June – Magic Valley (4 pts)
• 06 – Owl Company – Horizon (5 pts) (Album Review)
• 05 – Greta Van Fleet – From the Fires (6 pts)
• 04 – Stone Sour – Hydrograd (7 pts = 9 pts)
• 03 – Danzig – Black Laden Crown (8 pts) (Album Review)
• 02 – Bobaflex – Eloquent Demons (9 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – The Glorious Sons – Young Beauties and Fools (10 pts) (Album Review)

Steven Michael (staff writer – USA)

• 10 – Accept – Rise of Chaos (1 pts) (Album Review)
• 09 – Black Star Riders – Heavy Fire (2 pts) (Album Review)
• 08 – Broken Teeth – 4 On the Floor (3 pts) (Album Review)
• 07 – Night Ranger – Don’t Let Up (4 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Black Aces – Anywhere But Here (5 pts)
• 05 – The Biters – The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be (6 pts)
• 04 – Greta Van Fleet – From the Fires (7 pts = 13 pts)
• 03 – Revolution Saints – Light in the Dark (8 pts) (Album Review)
• 02 – Inglorious – Inglorious II (9 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Warrant – Louder, Harder, Faster (10 pts) (Album Review)

Sonny “Hollywood” Pooni (staff writer – USA)

• 10 – Sweet & Lynch – Unified (1 pts)
• 09 – Warrant – Louder, Harder, Faster (2 pts = 12 pts) (Album Review)
• 08 – Great White – Full Circle (3 pts) (Album Review)
• 07 – Steelheart – Through Worlds of Stardust (4 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Eclipse – Momentum (5 pts) (Album Review)
• 05 – Inglorious – Inglorious II (6 pts = 15 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – Sons of Apollo – Psychotic Symphony (7 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – Revolution Saints – Light in the Dark (8 pts = 16 pts) (Album Review)
• 02 – Jeff Scott Soto– Retribution (9 pts)
• 01 – Richie Kotzen – Salting Earth (10 pts) (Album Review)

Andy Lafon (staff writer – USA)

• 10 – Great White – Full Circle (1 pts = 4 pts) (Album Review)
• 09 – Black Star Riders – Heavy Fire (2 pts = 4 pts) (Album Review)
• 08 – Wraith – Revelation (3 pts) (Album Review)
• 07 – Night Ranger – Don’t Let Up (4 pts = 8 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Accept – Rise of Chaos (5 pts = 6 pts) (Album Review)
• 05 – Mr. Big – Defying Gravity (6 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – Thunder – Rip It Up (7 pts = 8 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – House of Lords – Saint of the Lost Souls (8 pts) (Album Review)
• 02 – Gotthard – Silver (9 pts)
• 01 – L.A. Guns – Missing Peace (10 pts)

Graham “Sparky” Spark (staff writer – UK)

• 10 – Doll Skin – Manic Pixie Dream Girl (1 pts) (Album Review)
• 09 – Art Nation – Liberation (2 pts) (Album Review)
• 08 – The Darkness – Pinewood Smile (3 pts = 7 pts) (Album Review)
• 07 – Crystal Viper – Queen of the Witches (4 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Dante Fox – Six String Revolver (5 pts) (Album Review)
• 05 – Painful Pride – Lost Memories (6 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – Travelin Jack – Commencing Countdown (7 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – Axe Crazy – Ride On the Night (8 pts) (Album Review)
• 02 – Ascalon – Reflections (9 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Aeraco – Baptized By Fire (10 pts) (Album Review)

Adam “Coxy” Cox (staff writer/Facebook Guru – UK)

• 10 – Rhino Bucket – The Last Real Rock N’ Roll (1 pts) (Album Review)
• 09 – Ember Falls – Welcome To Ember Falls (2 pts) (Album Review)
• 08 – Toothgrinder – Phantom Amour (3 pts) (Album Review)
• 07 – Asking Alexandria – Asking Alexandria (4 pts)
• 06 – Jesper Binzer – Dying Is Easy (5 pts)
• 05 – Iris Divine – The Static & The Noise (6 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – Autograph – Get Off Your Ass (7 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – Shakra – Snakes & Ladders (8 pts) (Album Review)
• 02 – Art Nation – Liberation (9 pts = 11 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Orden Ogan – Gunmen (10 pts) (Album Review)

Wally “Wallygator” Norton (staff writer – Canada)

• 10 – Black Star Riders – Heavy Fire (1 pts = 5 pts) (Album Review)
• 09 – Trucker Diablo – Fighting for Everything (2 pts) (Album Review)
• 08 – Sainted Sinners – Sainted Sinners (3 pts) (Album Review)
• 07 – Accept – Rise of Chaos (4 pts = 10 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Rex Brown – Smoke On This (5 pts) (Album Review)
• 05 – Annihilator – For the Demented (6 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – Shakra – Snakes & Ladders (7 pts = 15 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – Shokker – III (8 pts) (Album Review)
• 02 – L.A. Guns – Missing Peace (9 pts = 19 pts)
• 01 – Electric Guitars – Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio (10 pts) (Album Review)

“Loose Cannon” (staff writer – USA)

• 10 – Stone Sour – Hydrograd (1 pts = 10 pts)
• 09 – Wyldlife – Out On Your Block (2 pts)
• 08 – L.A. Guns – Missing Peace (3 pts = 22 pts)
• 07 – Trucker Diablo – Fighting for Everything (4 pts = 6 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Danko Jones – Wildcat (5 pts = 6 pts) (Album Review)
• 05 – Goodbye June – Magic Valley (6 pts = 10 pts)
• 04 – Body Count – Bloodlust (7 pts)
• 03 – Bobaflex – Eloquent Demons (8 pts = 17 pts) (Album Review)
• 02 – The Glorious Sons – Young Beauties and Fools (9 pts = 19 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Gene Simmons – Vault (10 pts)

Phil Lisotti (staff writer – Canada)

• 10 – Sumo Cyco – Opus Mar (1 pts)
• 09 – Barenaked Ladies – Fake Nudes (2 pts)
• 08 – Steel Panther – Lower the Bar (3 pts)
• 07 – Matt Mays – Once Upon a Hell of a Time (4 pts)
• 06 – The Killers – Wonderful Wonderful (5 pts)
• 05 – Seether – Poison the Parish (6 pts)
• 04 – In My Coma – Next Life (7 pts)
• 03 – Foo Fighters – Concrete and Gold (8 pts = 11 pts) (Album Review)
• 02 – Alvvays – Antisocialites (9 pts)
• 01 – Big Wreck – Grace Street (10 pts)

“Metal Mama” (staff writer – USA)

• 10 – Licence – License 2 Rock (1 pts) (Album Review)
• 09 – Wraith – Revelation (2 pts = 5 pts) (Album Review)
• 08 – Stephen Pearcy – Smash  (3 pts)
• 07 – Night Ranger – Don’t Let Up (4 pts = 12 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Bigfoot – Bigfoot (5 pts)
• 05 – Kickin Valentina – Imaginary Creatures (6 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – Every Mother’s Nightmare – Grind (7 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – Revolution Saints – Light in the Dark (8 pts = 24 pts) (Album Review)
• 02 – Eclipse – Momentum (9 pts = 14 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Accept – Rise of Chaos (10 pts = 20 pts) (Album Review)

Metal Mama’s Personal Top Ten Article

Tom Cornell (staff writer – UK)

• 10 – Alice Cooper – Paranormal (1 pts = 3 pts) (Album Review)
• 09 – Leprous – Malina (2 pts)
• 08 – Soul Enema – Of Clans and Clones and Clowns (3 pts)
• 07 – Living Color – Shade (4 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Styx – The Mission (5 pts)
• 05 – Lifesigns – Cardington (6 pts)
• 04 – Von Hertzen Brothers – War is Over (7 pts)
• 03 – The Tangent – The Slow Rust of Forgotten Machinery (8 pts)
• 02 – Walter Trout – We’re All In This Together (9 pts)
• 01 – Pain of Salvation – In the Passing Light of Day (10 pts)

Tom Cornell’s Personal Top Ten Article

Dave “Man in Japan” Glynn (staff writer – Japan/USA)

• 10 – Unleash the Archers – Apex (1 pts) (Album Review)
• 09 – Sideburn – #Eight (2 pts)
• 08 – Black Star Riders – Heavy Fire (3 pts = 8 pts) (Album Review)
• 07 – White Light Cemetery – Careful What You Wish For (4 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Owl Company – Horizon (5 pts = 10 pts) (Album Review)
• 05 – Revolution Saints – Light in the Dark (6 pts = 30 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – Shakra – Snakes & Ladders (7 pts = 22 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – The Wild! – Wild At Heart (8 pts)
• 02 – KXM – Scatterbrain (9 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Eclipse – Momentum (10 pts = 24 pts) (Album Review)

Jeremy Bednarski (staff writer – USA)

• 10 – John 5 and the Creatures – Seasons of the Witch (1 pts)
• 09 – Foo Fighters – Concrete and Gold (2 pts = 13 pts) (Album Review)
• 08 – Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Lay It Down (3 pts) (Album Review)
• 07 – Alice Cooper – Paranormal (4 pts = 7 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – L.A. Guns – Missing Peace (5 pts = 27 pts)
• 05 – Warrant – Louder, Harder, Faster (6 pts = 18 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – Living Color – Shade (7 pts = 11 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – Jonny Lang – Signs (8 pts)
• 02 – Thunder – Rip It Up (9 pts = 17 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Cheap Trick – We’re Alright! (10 pts) (Album Review)

“Rockin’ Ron” Runyon (Decibel Geek TV YouTube Master – USA)

• 10 – Revolution Saints – Light in the Dark (1 pts = 31 pts) (Album Review)
• 09 – Warrant – Louder, Harder, Faster (2 pts = 20 pts) (Album Review)
• 08 – Cheap Trick – We’re Alright! (3 pts = 13 pts) (Album Review)
• 07 – Bonafide – Flames (4 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Pink Cream 69 – Headstrong (5 pts)
• 05 – Klassik ’78 – Side One/Side Two (6 pts)
• 04 – Burnt Out Wreck – Swallow (7 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – Alice Cooper – Paranormal (8 pts = 15 pts) (Album Review)
• 02 – Trucker Diablo – Fighting for Everything (9 pts = 15 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Eclipse – Momentum (10 pts = 34 pts) (Album Review)

Shawn “Animalize” Irwin (photographer/staff writer – Canada)

• 10 – Pink Cream 69 – Headstrong (1 pts = 6 pts)
• 09 – Bonfire – Byte the Bullet (2 pts)
• 08 – Gotthard – Silver (3 pts = 12 pts)
• 07 – Eclipse – Momentum (4 pts = 38 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Phantom V – Play To Win (5 pts)
• 05 – Kobra and the Lotus – Prevail I (6 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – Xandria – Theater of Dimensions (7 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – Battle Beast – Bringer of Pain (8 pts)
• 02 – Shakra – Snakes & Ladders (9 pts = 31 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Harem Scarem – United (10 pts) (Album Review)

Shawn’s Personal Top Ten Article

“Jerry Lee Lucifer” (staff writer – USA)

• 10 – Revolution Saints – Light in the Dark (1 pts = 32 pts) (Album Review)
• 09 – Richie Kotzen – Salting Earth (2 pts = 12 pts) (Album Review)
• 08 – Lynch Mob – The Brotherhood (3 pts)
• 07 – Riverdogs – California (4 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Steelheart – Through Worlds of Stardust (5 pts = 9 pts) (Album Review)
• 05 – Mark Slaughter – Halfway There (6 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – Living Color – Shade (7 pts = 18 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – Klassik ’78 – Side One/Side Two (8 pts = 14 pts)
• 02 – Rex Brown – Smoke On This (disqualified-duplicate 0 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Rex Brown – Smoke On This (10 pts = 15 pts) (Album Review)

Jerry Lee Lucifer’s Personal Top Ten Article

Alex Dale (photographer/staff writer – USA)

• 10 – Babylon A.D. – Revelation Highway (1 pts)
• 09 – Thunder – Rip It Up (2 pts = 19 pts) (Album Review)
• 08 – Mike Tramp – Maybe Tomorrow (3 pts) (Album Review)
• 07 – Autograph – Get Off Your Ass (4 pts = 11 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Mark Slaughter – Halfway There (5 pts = 11 pts) (Album Review)
• 05 – Night Ranger – Don’t Let Up (6 pts = 18 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – Tokyo Motor Fist – Tokyo Motor Fist (7 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – Styx – The Mission (8 pts = 13 pts)
• 02 – Warrant – Louder, Harder, Faster (9 pts = 29 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Mr. Big – Defying Gravity (10 pts = 16 pts) (Album Review)

Brian “That 70s Guy” Ronald (photographer/staff writer – Canada)

• 10 – Babylon A.D. – Revelation Highway (1 pts = 2 pts)
• 09 – Chrome Molly – Hoodoo Voodoo (2 pts)
• 08 – Burnt Out Wreck – Swallow (3 pts = 10 pts) (Album Review)
• 07 – Derek Davis – Revolutionary Soul (4 pts)
• 06 – House of Lords – Saint of the Lost Souls (5 pts = 13 pts) (Album Review)
• 05 – One Desire – One Desire (6 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – Rockett Love – Grab the Rocket (7 pts)
• 03 – Adrenaline Rush – Soul Survivor (8 pts) (Album Review)
• 02 – Ratchet Dolls – Damaged (9 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Vain – Rolling With the Punches (10 pts)

Brian Ronald’s Personal Top Ten Article

Matt “Ashcrafty” Ashcraft (staff writer – USA)

• 10 – The New Roses – One More for the Road (1 pts)
• 09 – Night Flight Orchestra – Amber Galactic (2 pts)
• 08 – The Biters – The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be (3 pts = 9 pts)
• 07 – Black Country Communion – BCCIV (4 pts)
• 06 – The Bronx – V (5 pts)
• 05 – Grande Royale – Breaking News (6 pts)
• 04 – The Glorious Sons – Young Beauties and Fools (7 pts = 26 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – Jesper Binzer – Dying Is Easy (8 pts = 13 pts)
• 02 – Danko Jones – Wildcat (9 pts = 15 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Thunder – Rip It Up (10 pts = 29 pts) (Album Review)

Rich “The Meister”  Dillon (website editor/staff writer – Canada)

• 10 – Night Demon – Darkness Remains (1 pts) (Album Review)
• 09 – Mythra – Still Burning (2 pts) (Album Review)
• 08 – Shokker – III (3 pts = 11 pts) (Album Review)
• 07 – Tytan – Justice Served (4 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Souldrinker – War Is Coming (5 pts) (Album Review)
• 05 – Licence – License 2 Rock (6 pts = 7 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – Accept – Rise of Chaos (7 pts = 27 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – Burnt Out Wreck – Swallow (8 pts = 18 pts) (Album Review)
• 02 – Liv Sin – Follow Me (9 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Lady Beast – Vicious Breed (10 pts) (Album Review)

The Meister’s Personal Top Albums Article

Leslie Delaere (photographer/staff writer – Belgium)

• 10 – Doro – Für Immer (1 pts)
• 09 – Revolution Saints – Light in the Dark (2 pts = 34 pts) (Album Review)
• 08 – Pretty Boy Floyd – Public Enemies (3 pts)
• 07 – Tales from the Porn – H.M.M.V. (4 pts)
• 06 – Pink Cream 69 – Headstrong (5 pts = 11 pts)
• 05 – Mark Slaughter – Halfway There (6 pts = 17 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – Eclipse – Momentum (7 pts = 45 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – Stephen Pearcy – Smash  (8 pts = 11 pts)
• 02 – Warrant – Louder, Harder, Faster (9 pts = 38 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – L.A. Guns – Missing Peace (10 pts = 37 pts)

Mikael Svensson (staff writer – Sweden)

• 10 – Pretty Boy Floyd – Public Enemies (1 pts = 4 pts)
• 09 – Landslide – Is Hard Rock + Bad Reputation (2 pts)
• 08 – Trance – Loser Strikes Back (3 pts)
• 07 – Kee of Hearts – Kee of Hearts (4 pts)
• 06 – Radiation Romeos – Radiation Romeos (5 pts) (Album Review)
• 05 – Crazy Lixx – Ruff Justice (6 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – Eclipse – Momentum (7 pts = 52 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – Babylon A.D. – Revelation Highway (8 pts = 10 pts)
• 02 – Shakra – Snakes & Ladders (9 pts = 40 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Brother Firetribe – Sunbound (10 pts) (Album Review)

Colin “Starchild” Francis (staff writer – UK)

• 10 – Butcher Babies – Lilith (1 pts)
• 09 – Black Aces – Anywhere But Here (2 pts = 7 pts)
• 08 – Shakra – Snakes & Ladders (3 pts = 43 pts) (Album Review)
• 07 – Snakecharmer – Second Skin (4 pts) (Album Review)
• 06 – Mr. Big – Defying Gravity (5 pts = 16 pts) (Album Review)
• 05 – Night Demon – Darkness Remains (6 pts = 7 pts) (Album Review)
• 04 – Death Angel – The Evil Divide (disqualified 2016 release 0 pts) (Album Review)
• 03 – Harem Scarem – United (8 pts = 18 pts) (Album Review)
• 02 – Warbringer – Woe to the Vanquished (9 pts) (Album Review)
• 01 – Cavalera Conspiracy – Psychosis (10 pts)

 

….and there we have the collective Best of 2017 Albums of the Year lists from many of our staff. What are your top ten? Let us know in the comments.

Thanks to all the bands that issued albums and played shows in 2017! It was a great year and even if you didn’t make our list it doesn’t mean that we don’t love ya!

Support the scene, buy albums and concert tickets!