Just a couple of days separate us from the end of 2017. The return of some much loved bands, some huge albums from up and coming British bands and some more established bands getting to try their hand at headlining festivals. This of course was countered by some harrowing tales that highlighted the importance of mental health and that someone can look as happy as they ever have done but be hurting on the inside.
These are lessons that 2017 has taught us the hard way with Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington paying the ultimate price for their pain. Whilst the MNN End Of Year Awards will be focusing on the high points for the most part, these lessons need to be acknowledge and learnt from otherwise we’re destined to repeat them.
Madi Woolard:
Album Of The Year: Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 1 – Lil Peep
Reason: Don’t get me wrong I love all types of rock, punk and metal but this album really stuck out for me this year. It’s in no way metal, punk or rock but it is still amazing and I would be lying to you if I said any other album. I’ve been a supporter of Lil Peep since 2015 and due to recent events this album means a lot to me and I can honestly say I could listen to it on repeat and not get bored.
2. Condolences – Wednesday 13
3. You Are We – While She Sleeps
4. Cryptoriana – The Seductiveness Of Decay – Cradle Of Filth
5. Eternity, In Your Arms – Creeper
6. Mein Trumpf – MDC
7. SAY10 – Marilyn Manson
8. Darkness Will Rise – The Raven Age
9. Hexada – Ghostemane
10. Graveyard Shift – Motionless In White
Something important I’ve learnt this year: Being short at gigs isn’t always a bad thing.
Best breakthrough band: Nervus
Biggest disappointment: The amount of musicians being outed for using their position of power to their own benefit.
Song of the year:
Set of the year: Metallica, o2 Arena, London – 22/10/2017
Band of the year: Casey
Movie of the year: IT
Game of the year: Outlast 7
TV series of the year: Grey’s Anatomy
Tom Mepham:
Album Of The Year: Eternity, In Your Arms – Creeper
Reason: An album that I love top to bottom, with no songs that I tend to skip!
2. The Peace and The Panic – Neck Deep
3. Great Heights & Nosedives – Roam
4. Hydrograd – Stone Sour
5. Broken Machine – Nothing But Thieves
6. After Laughter – Paramore
7. You Are We – While She Sleeps
8. The Spark – Enter Shikari
9. Modern Ruin – Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes
10. Crooked Teeth – Papa Roach
Something important I’ve learnt this year: Don’t go to too many gigs, you still need to pay for travel!
Best breakthrough band: ROAM
Biggest disappointment: The amount of sex scandals
Song of the year:
Set of the year: Neck Deep @ Reading Festival
Band of the year: ROAM
Movie of the year: Thor Ragnarok
TV series of the year: Robot Wars
Adam Beales:
Album Of The Year: While She Sleeps – You Are We
Reason: While She Sleeps take the best from their first 3 releases, while adding new and interesting elementes and better song writing to create an outstanding record. If there’s any justice, While She Sleeps should crack the mainstream with this.
2. Creeper – Eternity, In Your Arms
3. Employed to Serve – Warmth of a Dying Sun
4. Code Orange – Forever
5. Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes – Modern Ruin
6. Flyte – The Loved Ones
7. Jamie Lenman – Devolver
8. Power trip – Nightmare Logic
9. Justice For The Damned – Dragged Through Dirt
10. Malevolence – Self Supremacy
Something important I’ve learnt this year: People in your favourite bands aren’t always the people they present themselves to be.
Best breakthrough band: Code Orange
Biggest disappointment: All of the sexual assault allegations coming out
Song of the year:
Set of the year: Code Orange in Leeds
Band of the year: Code Orange
Movie of the year: IT
Game of the year: Crash N Sane Trilogy
TV series of the year: Stranger Things
Emily Calton:
Album Of The Year: AFI – AFI (The Blood Album)
Reason: After the somewhat letdown of their 2013 album ‘Burrials’, I was sceptical about this album but was pleasantly thankful for the mood and gloom this album managed to bring back from years ago
2. Creeper – Eternity, In Your Arms
3. Rat Boy – Scum
4. Enter Shikari – The Spark
5. Diet Cig – Sweat I’m Good At This
6. How Did We Get So Dark – Royal Blood
7. The Darkness – Pinewood Smile
8. Wolf Alice – Visions Of A Life
9. Billy Corgan – Ogilala
10. Declan McKenna – What Do You Think About The Car?
Something important I’ve learnt this year: Dog owners generally have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, so everybody should adopt a dog
Best breakthrough band: Creeper
Biggest disappointment: Foo Fighters – Concrete And Gold
Song of the year:
Set of the year: Frank Iero And The Patience – London 27.09.17
Band of the year: Creeper
Movie of the year: Baby Driver
Game of the year: Forza Motorsport 7
TV series of the year: Stranger Things
Anthony Matthews:
Album Of The Year: Creeper – Eternity, In Your Arms
2. Silverstein- Dead Reflection
3. Converge – The Dusk In Us
4. Brand New – Science Fiction
5. Lil Peep – Come Over When You’re Sober Pt. 1
6. SeeYouSpaceCowboy – Fashion Statements of the Socially Aware
7. Glassjaw – Material Control
8. Enter Shikari – The Spark
9. Thy Art is Murder- Dear Desolation
10. Canadian Softball – Awkward & Depressed
Dan Hemming:
Album Of The Year: Eternity, In Your Arms – Creeper
Reason: There have been so many great albums and EPs this year, but the anticipation of Creeper dropping their debut album after three amazing EPs and surpassing my expectations means they have to be at the top of this list. The contrast between Poison Pens and Crickets is beautiful and hearing Hannah’s encapsulating vocals coming to the fore tops it off.
2. Modern Ruin – Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes
3. Bloodlust – Bodycount
4. Be Nice EP / Go Away EP – Milk Teeth
5. Forever – Code Orange
6. Legacy – The Cadillac Three
7. Material Control – Glassjaw
8. Heaven Upside Down – Marilyn Manson
9. Back To Blues EP – Black Stone Cherry
10. Revival – Eminem
Something important I’ve learnt this year: Festivals on mainland Europe are amazing. Being in amazing sunshine around a load of people you can barely understand enhances the whole experience.
Biggest disappointment: New Found Glory supporting A Day To Remember. A poor set overall from the legends. They set this right on their Autumn UK tour though.
Song of the year:
Set of the year: Metallica, Royal Arena, Copenhagen – 2nd February 2017
Band of the year: Creeper
Movie of the year: Mindhorn
Game of the year: Horizon Zero Dawn
TV series of the year: Bojack Horseman
Lottie Capel:
Album Of The Year: The Attractions of Youth – Barns Courtney
Reason: Brings his own modern twist into the world of blues rock, has incredible songs with catchy lyrics and beats.
2. Eternity, In Your Arms – Creeper
3. The Peace and The Panic – Neck Deep
4. A Fever Dream – Everything Everything
5. Vessels – Starset
6. Fabulist – Slenderbodies
7. Poison the Parish – Seether
8. okay. – As It Is
9. Night people – You Me At Six
10. You Are We – While She Sleeps
Something important I’ve learnt this year: To believe in myself more.
Best breakthrough band: Creeper
Biggest disappointment: Blood on The Dance Floor coming back.
Song of the year: Poison Pens – Creeper
Set of the year: Muse @ Reading
Band of the year: Creeper
Movie of the year: Thor Ragnorok
Game of the year: Legend of Zelda – Breath of the Wild
TV series of the year: Black Mirror
So that’s it. How did we do? If you feel differently let us know here or on Facebook.