50 Best Songs of 2017

It was a dark fucking year, but dark times usually equate to great heavy music (see our 20 Best Albums of 2017 list). Such was the case this year, 12 harrowing months that were never at a loss for a good, cathartic song to soundtrack its twists and turns, and provide release. Here are our favorite cuts from a challenging year — from an alt-metal juggernaut's apocalyptic return, to a hardcore band's post-grunge anthem, to a goth-rock outfit's twisted love song, to death-metal vets' new statements of intent and much more.