--- title: "AltWire Top Ten Albums Of 2017: Erin’s Picks" url: https://altwire.net/altwire-top-ten-albums-2017-erins-picks/ author: "Altwire Staff" published: 2017-12-29T22:10:13+00:00 updated: 2026-11-11T03:24:14+00:00 categories: ["News"] tags: ["Marilyn Manson", "Metal", "Rock", "Steel Panther"] source: "AltWire (altwire.net)" --- # AltWire Top Ten Albums Of 2017: Erin’s Picks *By Altwire Staff · December 29, 2017* ![Cradle of Filth's Cryptoriana cover: bloodied pale woman stands in a coffin, flanked by three dark-cloaked figures](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/COF-150x150.jpg) **10. Cradle Of Filth – Cryptoriana** A beautifully brutal over the top album inspired by the horror stories of the Victorian era. Cradle of Filth delivers what they’re best at, and for fans this is another jewel in the Filth’s crown. However newcomers symphonic black metal might want to start somewhere else. ![Lanterns album cover by 36 Crazyfists: hooded figure holding a lantern on a foggy, cracked frozen lake before mountains](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/36crazyfistslanternscd-150x150.jpg) **9. 36 Crazyfists - Lanterns** Shows off some of the brilliant songwriting we have come to expect from 36 Crazyfists, there is ample heaviness, but also enough catchy hooks and melodies to keep the album fairly accessible. The songs are raw and emotional, and there is also some acoustic parts and grove metal sections which all add up to make it an enduring, interesting album. **![Cover of Steel Panther's Lower the Bar: two women behind a bar, one in red, and a man peeking over the counter](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/SteelPanther_Cover_Final_1400px_ed9b9595-4221-4250-9640-8f4558aa1183_grande-150x150.jpg) 8. Steel Panther - Lower The Bar** If anything is ever getting you down then a listen to Steel Panther will quickly remedy that. It has to be admitted that they aren’t really anything more than a parody of all of our favorite Hair metal bands, but there is nothing wrong with a bit of lighthearted fun and a few (ok a lot of) dick jokes. Creatively and musically Lower The Bar is sound, its reassuringly familiar, but doesn’t get boring. Never has the old phrase “don’t fix what ain’t broke” been more true and with the originals like Motley Crue now retired, Steel Panther’s blast from the past is more relevant than ever. ![Black-and-white album art: pale-faced man in a shearling-collared coat glances sideways beside a cross-like symbol](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/MarilynManson-1507226083-1024x1024-150x150.jpg) **7. Marilyn Manson – Heaven Upside Down** Combining some classic Manson rage with some of the blues from The Pale Emperor, this album takes aim at politics, religion and people in general. Marilyn Manson remains iconic and this album is another great addition to his legacy. ![Album cover for Prophets of Rage: a raised fist in front of a red star on a split cream and black background](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/61YF5blduVL._SY355_-150x150.jpg) **6. Prophets of Rage - Prophets Of Rage** With members from RATM, Cypress Hill and Public enemy there was extremely high expectations for this supergroup and their debut album absolutely surpassed them. A politically charged band when the world most needs them, Prophets Of Rage will be instigating great deal of change in peoples thoughts while simultaneously starting hundreds of mosh pits. ![Cover of Body Count's Bloodlust: a figure in a white balaclava holding a handgun, with red lettering on black](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Bloodlust_cover-150x150.jpg) **5. Bodycount -Bloodlust** Pissed off political Rap Thrash Metal isn’t to everyone’s taste, but I don’t think Bodycount really care whether you like what they have to say. Addressing Americas issues in every song Bloodlust is as poignant as it is controversial. **![Sons of Texas' Forged by Fortitude cover: a black steam locomotive with bluebonnets on a gold sunburst background](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/600x600bf-150x150.jpg) 4. Sons Of Texas - Forged By Fortitude** Forged By Fortitude showcases a musical intricacy that can be uncommon in this genre, full of the energy and aggression. Sons Of Texas are prime examples of a reliable metal band what they lack in originality they make up for in energy. The Sons are good at what they do – deliver what the fans want and you can’t ask for any more than that. Overall, Forged By Fortitude is a very satisfying album. **![Album cover for Fozzy's Judas: a bare back with a hand gripping a black knife behind it, band name and title across the neck.](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Fozzy-Judas-Album-Cover-150x150.jpg) 3. Fozzy - Judas** WWE Superstar Chris Jericho power-slams the competition by releasing one of the most killer albums of the year! It’s easily their best release to date with every song as catchy as the last. Although if you’re looking for something complex and intricate you might want to give it a miss, but if you like polished, American, catchy Heavy Metal then your looking in the right place. ![Album artwork of silhouetted figures wading in ocean surf as the low sun glows over the horizon in warm pink light](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Linkin_Park_One_More_Light_album_art_final-1-150x150.jpeg) **2. Linkin Park - One More Light** “One More Light” is immensely bittersweet, the listening experience is somewhat tainted by the tragedy of Chester’s death, it leaves the listener almost feeling guilty. But Chester’s visceral emotion is what made us empathize with his music, which in turn helped us through our own dark times. “Numb” was my first favorite song which just goes to show what a brilliant gateway band Linkin Park are, and “One More Light” is only going to build on that. While this album is more pop, I firmly believe it will introduce scores of music lovers to rock, metal and alternative through the band's back catalogue and that is what will keep Chester’s memory alive. I’m also certain this is not the end for Linkin Park. **![Album cover: red Soviet-style collage with Russian newspaper text and a cream laurel wreath around a star and emblem](https://altwire.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/STSBN013-150x150.jpg) 1. Stone Sour - Hydrograd** There is a lot here for Stone Sour fans and Hydrograd is an accessible album so it will gain Stone Sour hoards of new fans as well. The genre crossing showcases Stone Sour’s musical ability and you can really tell they had fun making Hydrograd and just did whatever they wanted. Stone Sour certainly haven’t sold out and they are definitely no “sinking ship” and I am thoroughly excited for what’s next! --- From AltWire: https://altwire.net/altwire-top-ten-albums-2017-erins-picks/