Captain's Log - The Year in Review!
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Author Christian Kallias
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2017 in Review
Captain’s Log – Stardate 71462.3
This year (2017) has been pretty fantastic, I must say. It went by so fast, though, and I feel like I’m running out of time finishing up my long to-do lists. While I know I won’t manage to get all the items done before the year is out, it gives me clear targets and goals for 2018.
I’ve been to the States for the first time and in Vegas of all places, which was on my bucket list. I’ve made many author friends, which I’m super grateful for as well.
Now I wanted to talk about my best of 2017. I’ll kick off with discussing TV, movies, and music as these three play a significant role in my life and my writing. So without further ado, let’s start with the music. Without music (and especially metal) I don’t think I could function correctly as a human being. In fact, if I track the moments of my life I was at my lowest, I realize I was not listening to enough music.
BEST ALBUM of 2017:
Dead By April – Worlds Collide
That one is super easy, and unlike many other years when it’s really hard for me to vote a single album over the rest, this year it is simple. The Worlds Collide album from Dead by April (I didn’t know them until I heard it thank you Apple Music for suggesting it; bullseye recommendation on that one!) is hands down my favorite album of 2017. I’ve listened to it at least 100 times, if not more. In fact, I’m listening to it now as I’m writing the last chapters of book 10.
Favorite songs: For Every Step (amazing guest vocals by Tommy Körgerg), Crying Over You, Perfect the Way You Are, I Can’t Breathe, and Can You See the Red (but in all fairness, EVERY song kills on that album).
Here is a list of albums I think need mentioning as well (Disclaimer: if you’re not into metal in any way, you probably won’t like any of the bands I’m discussing here):
Iron Savior – Riding On Fire
Great re-recording of 19 classic songs from this band. With new twists on vocals and production that make most songs more powerful than ever before, except my all-time favorite of the band which I think sounded better in its original form (Tales of the Bold).
Beast in Black – Berserker
Excellent album from an ex-founding member of another favorite band of mine – Battle Beast. I think this album is better than the latest Battle Beast even though it contained two absolute killer tracks.
Battle Beast – Bringer of Pain
While not as good as the last two albums, this album has two of my favorite songs from the band; it’ my favorite chorus of any song, ever. That song is Beyond the Burning Skies.
Edguy – Monuments
While the new songs are fun, I was a little disappointed that none of them are what I consider killer tracks. The one I like most is Open Sesame, but even though the new songs are good, but not mind-blowing, still means new Edguy songs. This band has always been in my all-time top 10, so I’ll take anything new they can deliver. I look forward to them releasing a true new album though, the last one being all the way back in 2014; I think it’s time they release a new killer album. Here’s to hoping 2018 will bring that.
Nocturnal Rites – Phoenix
This one is aptly named as I thought that the band had split or was dead because they had announced an album like 5 years ago and it never came. So was Phoenix worth the wait? Hell yes! It may not be their best album, but it’s a damn good one. I absolutely adore this band, and they have so many pick-me-up songs that I listen to when I’m a little depressed, and they always helped me get through tough times in the past. So here’s to another Nocturnal Rites, may there be many more in the near future.
The Unguided – And the Battle Royale
I really like The Unguided; they remind me of Disturbed a little, and since I’m impatiently waiting for Disturbed to release a new album (the last one was their best ever, in my opinion, I’m just addicted to it, and it’s also an album I often put in loop while writing). Nothing earth-shattering here, but a great album overall.
Kreator – Gods of Violence
Okay, so while I’m not a fan of the entire album; I’m not into Thrash that much (except for many Metallica songs), I’m more into melodic stuff. This album does contain many gems, but the one that really shone through for me for its explosive chorus was Totalitarian Terror! What a song, it’s good enough that it deserves a mention here (IMHO).
I’m not your Typical Kreator fan; my favorite album from them is hated by most Kreator fans. That album is a gem of moody power metal (probably why fans hate it so much) is called Endorama. It’s on my all-times top 20 albums list.
Eclipse – Monumentum
Well, it’s in the album title, Eclipse has delivered the best Hard Rock of the last years. They’re just hitting it right on the head with their blend of 80’s and newer, more punchy production and killer vocals. If you’re into Hard Rock and don’t know Eclipse yet, do yourself a favor, check them out.
TV SHOWS:
Okay, so now it’s time to go over the TV shows of 2017 that I thought were brilliant.
Stranger Things Season 2
Well, no surprise there; I’m a stickler for nostalgia, and I like creepy and moody atmospheres, so Stranger Things is a hit. I thought this second season was as good, if not better than the first season. I can’t wait to see more of this show.
Star Trek – Discovery
I love this show! The production values are just mind-blowing; it looks as sleek as the JJ Abrahams reboot, and for a TV show that’s quite an achievement. I’m a huge fan of Jason Isaacs too, so having him as the troubled, morally ambiguous captain is pure joy. I don’t know where they are going with the show, but hot damn, beam me on board!
The Orville
This show is a huge surprise for me; looking at the trailer of the series I thought this would be a joke and not necessarily a good one, though I like parodies and I thought that this would end up being a parody of Star Trek. I was wrong. This show is fantastically written by Seth MacFarlane, and while some of the humor doesn’t always work for me, the depth in which he approaches the subjects really impressed me. It’s more Star Trek than the new Star Trek. In fact, it’s more TOS with some TNG and the opening sequence is clearly a hat tip to Voyager, if you ask me. Loved the first season; can’t wait for more.
12 Monkeys