Khemmis Give Us Their Top 10 Albums Of The Year
We Hunted them down for their favorite albums of 2017.
The nice and good boys from Khemmis have graced us with their Top 10 albums of 2017. Their handsome faces have smiled upon us and bestowed this 10 albums each, not unlike the Ten Commandments. Gaze in awe upon their choices and heed their words. Also, go see them on the Decibel 2018 Tour with Enslaved, Wolves In The Throne Room, and Myrkur. Who knows? Maybe if we say how awesome their choices and ask them nicely, they’ll be appearing on an episode of the Toilet Ov Hell podcast very soon.
Phil (vocals, guitar)
1. Algiers – The Underside of Power
Apparently gospel-y vocals, industrial beats, and post-punk guitars go together. I can tell the best is still ahead for these guys but I love their sound and this was the most urgent and innovative musical statement I heard this year.
2. Venenum – Trance of Death
Ostensibly another death metal record, but the great production values and cinematic songwriting break new ground. The final, multipart track is really the selling point but everything is great and seems to push all my buttons for this kind of thing.
3. Oxbow – Thin Black Duke
Insane vocals and inventive, dynamic instrumentation make this my favorite of theirs. A wild and unpredictable album that touches on tons of stuff I appreciate.
4. Power Trip – Nightmare Logic
TovH Radio Interview
Probably the most neck-snappingly fun record I bought this year. Great riffs, memorable song writing, and “swing of the WHAAA!” makes me lose my mind.
5. Big K.R.I.T. – 4eva is a Mighty Long Time
It was a great year for hip-hop, but for my tastes this was the best. Simultaneously braggadocios, soulful, and introspective, the overall effect is something like a house party featuring Outkast, Marvin Gaye, UGK and Three-6 Mafia that goes too late until everyone starts drunkenly ruminating about the purpose of life.
6. Bell Witch – Mirror Reaper
Monumental, especially as a tribute to Adrian—every time that section in the middle with his voice kicks in, I just about lose it.
7. Rosalía – Los Ángeles
Far and away, this album has the most amazing vocal performances I heard this year. Accompanied only by fluttering flamenco guitar, moments like the belted, microtonal runs on “De Plata” give me serious chills.
Listen to ‘De Plata‘
8. Aosoth – V: The Inside Scriptures
Like the Desolate Shrine album below, this won me over with big riffs and a cool atmosphere. It is definitely tail-loaded, with the final two tracks being absolute bangers, but I’ve come around on the blastier front end as well.
9. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Polygondwanaland
Somehow the 4th album this year by these freaky Australian psych rockers was my favorite. It is about taking drugs in the dungeon of a floating castle so that you can meet with crystal beings to discover a new, hidden color. Or something. I think.
10. Desolate Shrine – Deliverance from the Godless Void
The Finns know their shit. This is some ugly, monstrous death metal with great riffs and atmosphere that gets better as it goes and rewards patience and repeat listens.
Zach (drums)
Venenum – Trance of Death
Triumvir Foul – Spiritual Bloodshed
Slowdive – Slowdive (this is my AOTY)
Primitive Man – Caustic
Spectral Voice – Eroded Corridors of Unbeing
Bell Witch – Mirror Reaper
Spirit Adrift – Curse of Conception
Power Trip – Nightmare Logic
Ominous Circle – Appalling Ascension
Elder – Reflections of a Floating World
Dan (bass)
Bell Witch – Mirror Reaper
Drab Majesty – The Demonstration
Elder – Reflections of a Floating World
Kamasi Washington – Harmony of Difference
Quicksand – Interiors
Ragana – You Take Nothing
Sharon Jones and the Dapkings – Soul of a Woman
Slowdive – Slowdive
Spectral Voice – Eroded Corridors of Unbeing
Power Trip – Nightmare Logic
Ben (vocals, guitars)
1. Woe – Hope Attrition
I’ve been a huge fan of Woe for years, and this album absolutely blew me away. The layered vocals of Chris Grigg and Crypt Sermon’s Brooks Wilson on “The Din of the Mourning” is incredible, one of the many highlights on this record.
2. Bell Witch – Mirror Reaper
This record has more feeling in a single song (albeit a 74 minute one) than many outfits can manage in an entire career. Heartbreaking and unsettling, this composition is a testament to the talent of Dylan and Jesse (and, of course, Adrian. RIP).
3. Primitive Man – Caustic
If Bell Witch’s album is the most heartbreaking one I heard this year, Caustic is the most visceral and disturbing. These songs are the horrors of modern existence rendered in sonic form. P/M transcends traditional notions of what is “heavy.”
4. Spirit Adrift – Curse of Conception
Interview
I’ve known Nate Garrett for years and was expecting something special with this release, as I loved Chained to Oblivion. He and the rest of the band decimated those expectations with this stellar record. I don’t think it’s possible to put this record on and not immediately play air guitar.
5. The Ominous Circle – Appalling Ascension
The Ominous Circle strike the right balance between disgusting atmosphere and face-smashing aggression. So good.
6. Dead Soldiers – The Great Emptiness
While rootsy Americana/country music isn’t generally my preferred style, this band’s ability to craft compelling songs is undeniable. ‘Still Climbing the Mountain’ is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard.
7. Integrity – Howling, for the Nightmare Shall Consume
TovH Radio Interview
I didn’t know what to expect with this one, but halfway through I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. Dom Romeo (who was also in the criminally underrated Day of Mourning) pushed an already legendary band to release what might be their best material yet.
8. Cormorant – Diaspora
Zach turned me onto this record, and I think it’s a fantastic, underrated release. Top notch musicianship, commanding storytelling, and a commitment to a legitimate DIY ethos — what more could you ask for?
9. Skyeater – The Maw of Time – With four tracks of longform atmospheric black metal, there’s a lot to unpack here and it’s well worth your time to do so. Expansive without feeling bloated, emotionally resonant without being contrived, haunting and beautiful…I just can’t say enough positive things about this release. I slept on this album for way too long, and have been listening to it constantly the last few weeks.
10. In the Company of Serpents – Ain-Soph Aur
Neurosis-meets-Electric Wizard-meets-Nick-Cave-meets-
Other albums that kicked my ass:
Power Trip – Nightmare Logic
Spectral Voice – Eroded Corridors
Abrams – Morning
The Black Dahlia Murder – Nightbringers (TovH Radio Interview)
Full of Hell – Trumpeting Ecstacy (Interview)
Krallice – Loüm
Yellow Eyes – Immersion Trench Reverie
Dreadnought – A Wake in Sacred Waves (Interview)
Zeal & Ardor – Devil is Fine (Interview)
