20: Tangerine Dream - Quantum Gate
The first album without Edgar and this album continues the legacy extremely well indeed. It is perhaps slightly overlong but I’m happy they decided to carry on.
19: Stellardrone - Between The Rings EP
The first new material from Stellardrone for a few years and while it doesn’t break any new ground, this ambient space-influenced electronica continues to inspire.
18: Tom Baker & The Snakes - Lookout Tower
For fans of bands with out and out swagger. Probably the least “complex” album of any album in my list this year but that shouldn’t put you off. Think ‘Sticky Fingers” era Stones. An out and out quality rock album.
17: Cigarettes After Sex - Cigarettes After Sex
This has become my go to chillout album in the evening. A stunning debut. If you like ambient pop give it a go.
16: Fen - Winter
I’ve been a fan of Fen since their debut. Their last two albums have both made my top three in their respective years. There’s a lot I like here but for me, it doesn’t reach the heights of Carrion Skies or Dustwalker. Still a powerful Atmospheric Death Metal album though.
15: Public Service Broadcasting - Every Valley
A piece of music about the Welsh mining industry may not sound like a winner but this keeps PSB moving forward. Not quite as good as The Race For Space but nevertheless, there’s much to enjoy here.
14: Decapitated - Anticult
Continuing their great run of form since Carnival Is Forever, Decapitated show that they are capable of producing albums of genuine quality. Technical Death Metal at its very best.
13: Eminem - Revival
An album that had split his fan base and yes, maybe there are one too many collaborations. However, lyrically this guy is as good as anyone and he’s as angry as ever. This album though also shows a more introspective Mr Mathers at work. More pop leanings than some of his work but he couldn’t be the Eminem from 15-20 years ago forever.
12: Metal Horses - Darker
Paul Emery is on a great run of form with both his solo work and this project. Continuing where debut album Decelerator left off, this album certainly is Darker. Fans of the dark side of Depeche Mode would love this.
11: Steven Wilson - To The Bone
A popular choice here and I’m surprised it’s ended up outside my top ten. Just so may great albums released this year.
10: Paul Emery - Dilute Yourself
Paul’s second entry in my Top 20. Alongside the second Metal Horses album, he also released this stunning solo work, his most accomplished solo album to date. Melancholy, introspective and clearly personal, this album rewards more with each listen.
9: This Patch of Sky - These Small Spaces
Post-rock band This Patch of Sky have always produced albums of deep intensity. With this, they have gone to another level. Sublime.
8: Mike Oldfield - Return To Ommadawn
Initially when Mike announced this album, I was excited, then nervous, then both. I needn’t have worried. The original Ommadawn features right up in my top 20 albums of all time. This proved to be a more than worthy follow-up. Sighs of relief all round.
7: Playgrounded - In Time With Gravity
A band I discovered early in the year. Electronic rock finery.
6: Soen - Lykaia
An album which shows Soen fully stretching their instrumental muscles. Beautiful, powerful and hypnotic.
5: Deep Purple - Infinite
I know some found this not quite as good as Now What but this is easily one of my most played albums of the year.The accompanying documentary shows just what goes into making a DP album and definitely had an impact on my enjoyment of it. Some stunning guitar work from Morse, particularly on Birds of Prey.
4: Ulver - The Assassination of Julius Caesar
Just as with the ‘Zodiac’ album last year, Ulver continue to defy categorisation. This is a dark, intense, brooding ‘pop’ album. They never fail to surprise.
3: Starsailor - All This Life
I’m as surprised as anyone that this album is in my top three. When they announced their comeback album I was pleased but didn’t expect something quite this good. Tracks like Sunday Best show just what they are capable of. Endlessly enjoyable.
2: Jet Black Sea - Absorption Lines
Adrian Jones continues to be involved with album after album of frankly amazing material. This continues that trend. Moving the sound forward that he and song writing-partner Michel Simons developed on the JBS debut they continue to astound.
1: Pain Of Salvation - In The Passing Light Of Day
This band have produced many top quality albums and this is right up there with anything they’ve done. An album they draws you into its story (the true life tale of vocalists Daniel Gildenlow’s hospitalisation) and never let’s you go for a second. So haunting, your stereo will need an exorcist.
Written: January 2018
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