.:TOP 10 - 2006:.
2006 has been one hell of a year with many different releases, from boring to masterpieces. This year I've discovered (?) many bands I had never heard of before, or just knew by name. And I feel great for having the opportunity to expand my knowledge in this field. Choosing albums for a Top 10 was very very hard, as I had to re-order my lists countless times because there were so many album I found good enough to add. I even made some changes last month (January), so that explains why my list is only now available. Making a list of the disappointing records was actually very easy. ;-)
Best of 2006:
01) AXAMENTA - Ever-Arch-I-Tech-TureCoincidence or not, but it feels good to have a Belgian band in the list this time. This album contains wonderful Progressive Death/Black. It's not just the songs, but also the great work by producer Jacob Hansen, who gave the songs the right amount of power and aggression.
02) WUTHERING HEIGHTS - The Shadow Cabinet
Great Danish Progressive Powermetal with here and there some Folkish stuff. A true gem in the genre and in my humble opinion their best effort to date.
03) MANIGANCE - L'Ombre Et La Lumière
Progressive Powermetal from France. Brilliant album from a brilliant band that hasn't disappointed me so far and keeps getting better with every release.
04) AMON AMARTH - With Oden On Our Side
The true masters of Viking-themed Metal. Yes, there's MANOWAR as well, but AMON AMARTH have that little extra in this epic context. The band's best album so far with an improved sound, but still having the patented AMON AMARTH stamp. Live the band is ofcourse flawless and a must-see.
05) JON OLIVA'S PAIN - Maniacal Renderings
SAVATAGE II you could say, this time more than with the debut album. Jon Oliva clearly shows he's still the supreme Mountain King, that he is SAVATAGE, that he still can write great songs, still has a magical voice, etc...etc... A great album from a great artist.
06) AHAB - The Call Of The Wretched Sea
Doom Metal is a very underestimated genre and one that hardly gets the deserved attention. It's also not for those who like accessible Metal, plus it comes in many flavours: Classic Doom, Death/Doom, Gothic Doom, Stoner, Sludge, Funeral, etc.... Three members from Gothic Metalband MIDNATTSOL joined forces for a side project/band and AHAB was made. Very slow, depressing and dark Funeral Doom, but o so beautiful.
07) KALEDON - Chapter 4: Twilight Of The Gods
The Italian Powermetallers stood here, on the 7th spot, back in 2006 as well (for the Best Of 2005). "Chapter 3" was a great release for them and with "Chapter 4" they've done even better, showing that deserve their place in Metal.
08) RHAPSODY OF FIRE - Triumph Or Agony
The masters of Symphonic Powermetal have returned and brought back some Metal into their songs. No, it's no "Dawn Of Victory" or "Power Of The Dragonflame" anymore, but it does have more energy compared to "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands II: The Dark Secret".
09) TÝR - Ragnarok
Faroese Folkish Heavy Metal. Very epic, great sing-along songs and thanks to Jacob Hansen a killer sound on both records: "Eric The Red" and "Ragnarok".
10) SATURNUS - Veronika Decides To Die
Sad, sentimental Doom with a touch of Gothic. Great musicianship and a great record from start to finish.
Honourable mentions:
Of course there were also many contenders, but this is again limited to 10...01) SOLITUDE AETURNUS - Alone
Masters of classic Doom, together with CANDLEMASS. Eight years after the very nice "Adagio", "Alone" confirms that SOLITUDE AETURNUS is a great, yet very underestimated, Doom Metal band.
02) SUIDAKRA - Caledonia
A new discovery for me, although I did know the name. "Caledonia" takes you on a journey to Scotland. The music is a mix of Melodic Death and Folk, with of course the pipebags as very important instrument. The epic chants also help in creating the right atmosphere and projecting the right scenes in your mind.
03) VANDEN PLAS - Christ 0
German masters of Progressive Metal. "Christ 0" is their newest piece of art that can be added to their previous works of art. Which reminds me that I still have to get me a copy of those previous albums.
04) ELUVEITIE - Spirit
Pagan Folk Metal. A majestic record of a band that deserves all the credit they can get. I hope to see more music of them coming out in the years to come.
05) DIONYSUS - Fairytales And Reality
Olaf Hayer's band, next to his input in LUCA TURILLI. Here you can hear him sing the songs all the way, contrary to LUCA TURILLI's last album "The Infinite Wonders Of Creation", where Bridget Fogle was asked to sing most lyrics. "Fairytales And Reality" is easily the band's best album so far: third time, best time.
06) CIRCLE II CIRCLE - Burden Of Truth
SAVATAGE isn't really active anymore, but 2006 brought us two related albums. Jon Oliva managed to get in my Top 10, Zak Stevens will to settle with a place in the second column. ;-) But here as well, the band is growing and improving. "Burden Of Truth" is without the smallest doubt the band's best effort and shows that Zak is still one of Metal's best vocalists. A must-have for for the (SAVATAGE) fans.
07) COMMUNIC - Waves Of Visual Decay
Norwegian Progressive Powermetal. The debut was very good and very progressive, switching between calmer, melodic moments and in the meantime preparing for some heavier interventions. The albums don't contain radio-friendly songs, as the average playtime of one song is at least 7 to 9 minutes. All this results in a total running time of 60-70 minutes. A great band that has released nothing but quality.
08) IKUINEN KAAMOS - The Forlorn
A new Viking/Black Metalband joins the others. Here as well, a long running time with long songs. The right amount of roughness, a very nice offer of variation, but foremost a dark record. One of the surpises of 2006, if I may say so.
09) ADAGIO - Dominate
The French Progressive Metallers choosing a heavier approach, with influences from Melodic Death. Staying strong all the way, except for a - for me - lame pop/dance cover.
10) STORMENTAL - Stormental
Raw Progressive Metal from Brazil. No keyboards here, just the basic instrumentation of vocals, guitar, bass and drums. This also explains the 'rawness' of it all. Also sounds a bit like IRON MAIDEN, but then in a Progressive manner of course. A very good sound on this self-releases debut and a clear indication that these four musicians know their stuff and are not afraid to show it on stage. Studio or stage: at both occasions do they fulfill the expectations. Another suprise of 2006.
'Worst' albums:
Disappointing stuff (in alphabetical order) because of either the vocals, or the musicianship or the songs themselves or anything that made these records put a black mark on 2006. Just see the relevant reviews for more details why I didn't found them good enough.01) ALCOHOLIKA LA CHRISTO - Toxicnology Part 1 & 2
02) ASSAILANT - Nemesis Within
03) BENEDICTUM - Uncreation
04) BISHOP OF HEXEN - The Nightmarish Compositions
05) BLACKSHINE - Lifeblood
06) DEADSTAR ASSEMBLY - Unsaved
07) EISBRECHER - Antikörper
08) ELIS - Griefshire
09) ELVENKING - The Winter Wake
10) EMILIANO SICILIA - Devotion Materialize
11) FAIRYLAND - The Fall Of An Empire
12) FATUM - Roto
13) FRONTSIDE - Twilight Of The Gods
14) MANNHAI - Hellroad Caravan
15) MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP - Tales Of Rock 'N' Roll - 25 Years Celebration
16) MONKEY BUSINESS - The Noble Art Of Wasting Time
17) PRESIDENT EVIL - Trash 'N' Roll Asshole Show
18) REGICIDE - Break The Silence
19) SADAKO - Bedtime Stories
20) SUDDEN DEATH - Unpure Burial
21) THE ALIEN BLAKK - Modes Of Alienation
22) THE FROZEN - Blue Virtue
23) THE ORDER - Son Of Armageddon
24) TOURETTES SYNDROME - Sick Sense
25) TRIGLAV - When The Sun Rises Above The Earth
26) WALTARI - Blood Sample