1. Edguy: Hellfire Club - Read review by Tommy
I find it hard to describe something as magnificent as this piece of art with words, brilliant would be one word to describe it. With all the useless clone Power Metal bands out there, Edguy stands tall and triumphant above all, and all of their albums have had some sort of impact on my life somehow, and to me, that's the finest force of art: that rare ability to move you inside, make you think and feel clearer. This album together with Theater Of Salvation does that to me, so what if it has a standard song or two? This is a close to perfection as possible!
2. Persuader: Evolution Purgatory - Read review
From out of nowhere they came and triumphed over all, the Swedish act with the special blend of Thrash, Power Metal, melodies and kick ass attitude, blending everything cool into a higher unit of pure Power!
3. Rhapsody: Symphony Of Enchanted Lands pt. 2 - The Dark Secret - Read review by Steen
The symphonic masters are back with a vegeance! Though a bit slower and different, Rhapsody doesn't change their winning concept of the ultimate marriage of classical music and Metal - and thank God for that! Grandiose, bombastic and huge in every way!
4. Iced Earth: The Glorious Burden - Read review by Tommy
Okay, I'm not the biggest Iced Earth fan in the universe, but with Tim "Ripper" Owens behind the microphone and top notch songwriting, I have to surrender completely to this magnificent release! Well executed and all small details melt into one higher unit!
5. Steel Attack: Enslaved - Read review
Well, what a surprise! The Swedish standard Power Metallers grew up and managed to create a solid, captivating and well written work. With great improvement in the songwriting department and a fantastic vocalist, the band created a highly enjoyable, catchy and melodic album with a hard edge!
6. Sacred Steel: Iron Blessings - Read review
True Metal is their game - now with growls and brutality too! Sacred Steel kept the best elements from their past works and added some new ones in a refreshing way. Though not their finest work, Iron Blessings is a solid piece of steel!
7. Nightwish: Once - Read review by Matthew
With great symphonic arrangements, dreamy melodies and the amazing vocals of Tarja Turunen, Nightwish creates a unique and fascinating atmosphere.
8. Withering Surface: Force The Pace - Read review
Aggression, melody, diversity and intensity. All ingredients are used in this balanced and very catchy outburst of melodic Death Metal, creating an addictive and hard record, that will stay fresh for long!
So sad, this turned out to be their final record before the split.
9. Ayreon: The Human Equation - Read review
A huge and ambitious project, capturing most human emotions , this album oozes with personal reflections and atmosphere. I could have wished for a little more aggressiveness in certain parts, but overall a very exiting and well crafted release!
10. Pyramaze: Melancholy Beast - Read review
The partly Danish band impress with their well written, melodic debut showing great potential for the future!
The great titletrack is sure to get stuck in your head, and stay there!
