In a year that, in my mind, produced not one album worthy of a 10/10 score, I am beginning to worry that maybe I have become too critical and less like a metal fan. But, in my top metal albums of 2006, it is clear I haven't developed genre tunnel vision. There is Doom, Melo-death, death, thrash, power, and classic speed. Here they are, and in particular order, you know, first to last.
1. Place of Skulls - The Black Is Never Far
These doomsters have put out an album full of sweet chords, thought provoking lyrics, and lush melodies. At the six month point this year, this album was hanging in at fourth, but it gained strength with a gigantic second wind, so much to the point I couldn't stop listening to it, and has now become my most spun CD of the year. If I could loosen up and/or go back and change my rating, this would be the one that gets a 10/10.
2. Communic - Waves of Visual Decay
Following up their highly successful debut, laughing at the thought of a sophomore jinx, these Norwegians have produced another near masterpiece of power metal. Lighter and breezier than what usually emits from the cold bitter north, this trio has got "it", and flaunt their talents effectively. This time around, any similarity to Nevermore is gone, which is good, but what they have done is explore the uniqueness of their sound. This has paved the way to their own greatness, which can now be fully achieved and allowed to flourish on future releases.
3. Legion of The Damned - Malevolent Rapture
This album blew me away early in the year, and still gets major spins my CD player to this day. Relentless full scale guitar attack, ear drum pounding beat, all the while built around such infectious grooves that I couldn't stop listening to it for nearly two months. Legion of The Damned is the band formerly known as Occult, changing their name to give themselves a fresh start when they changed labels. Thankfully, they didn't tinker with their sound much, but it is stuffed full of fresh ideas and packed with plenty of new found energy.
4. In Flames - Come Clarity
After the mixed reviews of their last two albums, my favorite metal band comes back with an album resembling the past successes of Colony and Clayman days instrumentally, while keeping the cleaner vocals of their recent outings. Although, they do appear to have progressed past the Jonathan Davis whine that has been so heavily criticized by their old-school fans. I enjoyed the straight forward thrash riffs, and the melody of the dual guitar attack. Sure, it's not the good ole days of Jester Race and Whoracle, but why wish for something that is never coming back. Enjoy In Flames for what they are now, still a great band that haven't yet fully turned to the dark side.
Article comments
1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Finally, a list that is packed with some pretty decent releases, though I don't like 'em myself, and it isn't filled with crappy nu-metal bands. I am quite shocked though that In Flames rated rather high... Oh well.
In comparison, I would replace your #1 w/ Arsis United in Regret which would've been a tough call against Gorod Leading Vision
Motorhead shouldn't even be on the list,but that's my opinion, and would've been easily replaced by the revisit to Kreator's Enemy of God(2005-that includes a DVD(A) version of the album as well as live concert footage)as I agree that this year was very hard to find more than one CD that was worth raving about.
BUT..they did re-release AtrophySocialized Hate which is worth a mention in any top 10 even though it came out a long time ago.
2 - Brian Gould
I agree, everyone will have their own list, and that's the way it should be. I would HOPE your list would be different than mine.
Essentially, these represent what I spun most often, and I still say it was a bad year for music all around, as it was for movies. Hopefully 2007 will be MUCH better. Legion of the Damned have a new album coming out soon, Trouble's new one FINALLY hit the stores in Feb.
3 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Yup... Just my assessment, compliment & full use of Freedom of speech here. Granted, everyone's list could be different, I would HOPE people would still understand an excellent Metal band when they hear it especially in the US but this is not the case! We are constantly bombarded over here with the useless,pretentious ramblings from the Nu-Metal & Wanna-be Death Metal crowd which in turn confuses most people about what qualities & attributes make a genre what it is,i.e; Death Metal,Thrash,Speed,Progressive. AND what really classifies a band as innovative and brilliant.
4 - bob
not bad...one of the better lists i've seen from bloggers.
if you like place of skulls than you will love: pentagram(old band of place of skull's guitarist) days of reckoning and relentless are their best albums. mandatory.
solitude aeturnus
saint vitus
cathedral
burning saviors
reverend bizarre
witchcraft
5 - Triniman
Wasn't into the new Motorhead album as much as you were. Good list, lots of stuff that I will check out.
6 - D'oh
points added for Motorhead, but no 10,000 Days by TooL?
Ok, some might not think of it as "metal", but some do. And ya gotta admit , the album is massive.
Could just be me.
Good list, and thanks for sharing, keep banging!
7 - Brian Gould
Thanks for compliments, I knew the list might raise or lower some people's brows depending on which side of Motorhead or In Flames they fall, but in a year that wasn't spectacular, it becomes a free-for-all.
I definately listen to Pentagram, Solitude, and Cathedral... never was much of a Vitus fan though, and I will check out those other bands listed above that I didn't know.
About the Tool album, I liked it, eventually thumbed it an 8 because, although good, it didn't capture my attention.
8 - Triniman
What did you think of last year's Maiden album? I thought it was a very good, quality release.
9 - Brian Gould
I liked it ... gave it a solid 7... overall thought it was kinda blah... but I can't bitch about the musicianship... they still got it.
10 - PETETHEMEAT
uhhh...Christ Illusion??