Ayreon -Universal Migrator Part I: The Dream Sequencer
These compelling moods continue to amaze me, a stunning album.

Bruce Dickinson - The Chemical Wedding
Majestically dark and wonderful philosophical.

D:A:D - Helpyourselfish
A fascinating meeting between groovy Hard Rock and atmospheric Metal, dark and melodic at the same time.

Eternity X - The Edge
So expressive, so emotional so complete. A must for progressive fans of any kind.

Evergrey - Recreation Day
Still my favourite from this awesome band. Overwhelming and painfully touching.

Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion II
A magnificent and extremely varied classic Hard Rock album.

Iron Maiden - The X-Factor
Single out each instrument and tell me this isn't fantastic musicianship. This is so consistently dark and painful that you live with these songs. A critical album and a brave attempt to create a different Maiden, I'm one of those that fell completely for it.

Jaded Heart - Helluva Time
Very good melodic Hard Rock with plenty cool hook and chorus lines.

Kamelot - Dominion
A fantastic Heavy Metal album with embracing moods and magnificent melodies.

Labyrinth - Return To Heaven Denied
Funny how some albums just hit a vein that set them apart from so much else; this is a true Power Metal classic with overwhelming keyboard arrangements.

Led Zeppelin - I
Sweaty, bluesy and hard-hitting, an album with its own special unruly spirit.

Majestic Vanguard - Beyond The Moon
A rather varied and melodic album, showing great song writing skills.

Malpractice - Deviation From The Flow
Interesting Progressive Metal with flair for both technicality and good melodies.

Queensrÿche - Empire
A fantastic album with a unique creative vibe.

Savatage - Dead Winter Dead
One of the bands finest albums, soaring with creativity and rooted in an important tale of war and hope. Some of the bands hardest songs are to be found here, mixed in between the atmospheric compositions and clever instrumentals.

Slayer - Reign In Blood
Having trouble finding synonyms to "intense", stick this in your stereo for inspiration.

Sonata Arctica - Ecliptica
Still a refreshing and stunning debut. This is just as heavy as it is melodic, simply put a magnificent dose of catchy Symphonic Power Metal.

The Darkness - Permission To Land
Straight to the point Hard Rock in the AC/DC vein, with both attitude and lots of catchiness. I have grown to adore this album.

The Darkness - One Way Ticket To Hell.And Back
A very good sophomore effort, especially the first half of it, following the same successful recipe. Plenty of raw bite and a stellar production; my feet have big problems remaining still through this record.

Written by Tommy
Sunday, January 15, 2006