It’s not until you actually start combing through the hundreds of records you’ve listened to over a decade that you realize how daunting the task really is.

It was, honestly, a pretty lousy year for music. This list of Best Metal, Country and Hard Rock of 2017 highlights five exceptions, and some key honorable mentions.

Bob Wayne, Sturgill Simpson, Whiskey Myers and Whitey Morgan are included in Fred Phillips’ Best of 2014 list for country and Southern rock.

This long-awaited Hellbound Glory EP finds Leroy Virgil seemingly growing up. Is that a good thing?