20 Best Metal Albums Of 2017 (So Far)
5. Kreator - Gods Of Violence
As one of the first metal releases of the year, Kreator's fourteenth record, Gods of Violence, was an early indicator that 2017 was going to keep the metal spirit going as strong as possible.
It's a chunk of volatile Teutonic thrash combined with the harmonic lead guitars of melodic death metal, resulting in an experience both pummelling and enticing, as well as being infused in a brilliantly old-school sound.
Powerful, stunning and, at times, heavily emotional, Gods of Violence is easily the best thrash record 2017 has seen thus far, dwarfing efforts by the likes of Overkill and Malevolence in a fast, intense flurry.