50 Best Hard Rock & Heavy Metal Albums Of 2017

2017 has been a year of massive debuts. From Artificial Language to Our Hollow, Our Home to Stälker to Creeper, it feels like rockers have been bombarded with bands making massive waves with their very first steps. Of all these discs, however, none of them have the sheer badassness of Live & Learn by Croydon groove masters Bad Sign.

A brief, punchy ride, Live & Learn truly is one of the coolest rock records of the past twelve months, mixing metal riffing with punk song-writing and MTV-style melodies. The guitarwork of the power trio’s resident axeman Jonathan Harris quickly becomes a highlight as the fiery “Liars & Lovers” (because alliteration is cool mate) builds into a certified crowd-popper of a breakdown. Tracks like “Covenant” and “Closure” bring the all-out heaviness, while the interlude “XI” and the tranquil “October” deliver a change of pace with more clean, patient tones from the six strings.

Bassist/vocalist Joe Appleford then proceeds to deliver the perfect kind of hard-hitting yet accessible voice that such a guttural rock band would deserve. Melodies like those of “Interlude” and “Certitude” shine with a gutsy brilliance strong enough to be bellowed from the London rooftops.

Live & Learn does precisely what a debut should so: delivers a powerful, exciting product in its own right, while also leaving the listener desperately craving more.

And make no mistake: I am definitely craving more music from these three rock n’ roll stalwarts and praying that it comes sooner rather than later.