20 Best Metal Albums Of Summer 2017

Originally, this list's number fifteen slot was reserved for ...Of the Dark Light, the eighth album by technical death metal veterans Suffocation. However, it was the much more underground British techers Abhorrent Decimation who would swoop in last-minute and steal a space in this article with their sophomore release, The Pardoner. While ...Of the Dark Light is a powerhouse disc from beginning to an end, it was clear to see that Abhorrent Decimation have youth and passion on their side, with the guttural vocals, riffs and intense blast-beats all hitting far harder and resonating much more than Suffocation's.

The Pardoner's use of grandiose, operatic symphonies as interludes also very much came to the record's aid, adding a sense of sophistication and intelligence to Abhorrent Decimation's pummelling tunes. Thus, The Pardoner is an ace collection of death metal anthems that feel able to stick out and shine as individuals. The opener "Soothsayer" builds from ominous orchestrals to grinding metal fluidly and amazingly well. "Granted Indulgence" is a gloriously straight-forward metal attack, while the magnum opus that is the ten-minute title track perpetuates a plethora of melodic hallmarks.

Taking cues from extreme bands ranging from Fleshgod Apocalypse to Carcass to Death, The Pardoner is a masterful sophomore album that unites many of heavy metal darkest and most savage styles into one, fantastical place.