Another year and another highlight list to figure out. It's certainly not getting any easier, so I guess that's my excuse for being late with it this time.
I grabbed quite a few albums last year but also missed out on a lot that I hopefully will catch up with at some point, that's one of the limitations with this type of article, it offers a static overview and at some point you just have to draw the line.
The year 2006 is characterized by a wide range of "very good" albums but not that many fantastic ones, interesting year none the less.
The Top 20 has been accompanied with a short impression of the albums, listed below are the releases that I thought is worth a listen, some of them really good too.
I hope this could be an inspirational input for checking out some of the stuff that perhaps passed you by and on the other hand I hope you'll drop a few lines about some of your favourite ones.


Top 20 Albums Of 2006

1. Richie Kotzen. Into The Black. Read review by Michael
One of the most remarkable and daring releases I have ever heard, without doubt the most played album of the year with the absolute spell binding My Angel as song for the year. Just listen to The Shadows for a shot of heart felt vocal abilities, goose bumps all over.

2. Street Talk. V. Read review by Alanna
Street Talk's amazing melodic effort could just as well had been on top, its "from start to finish" quality and positive effect on ones mind is undeniable.
Goran Edman's vocals are exceptional good and the album has a unique and comfortable positive aura.

3. Virgin Steele. Visions Of Eden. Read review
My old heroes returned with a dark edged and atmospheric strike of pure affliction and when it comes from David DeFeis, deep emotions take on a leading role.
It opens a door to deep and meaningful reflection.

4. Evergrey. Monday Morning Apocalypse. Read review
A less progressive, more stripped down but equally sombre effort from the ultra talented Swedes makes way for another superb release. Song writing is tight, the songs catchy and the sensitive topics so very relatable.

5. Mercenary. The Hours That Remain
Danish Mercenary delivered a monster of a tight and compact rhythm onslaught while keeping the memorable hooks and clever progressive tendencies in focus.

6. Tony O'Hora. Escape Into The Sun. Read review by Alanna
Not that many really brilliant songs but a impressive high overall standard throughout, super guitar playing and refreshing vocals helps build up a fine Hard Rock album with a metallic scent.
Magnus, do you get any sleep at all?

7. Heed. The Call. Read review by Brain
Daniel Heiman is perhaps the person with the most amazing voice ever, strong words I know, but listening to him scream out his lungs on this great album gives more weight to the argument.
Heed is a far cry from any other Power Metal act, being experimental, slightly progressive and very heavy at the same time. Taking the genre into new waters.

8. Ray Wilson And Stiltskin. She
A deep, sombre and heavy layer of modern Hard Rock is amazingly mixed with Ray's cool and sensitive vocals. Truly a special album, at times a bit strange, but again that's what make it stand out. Constantly Reminded is extremely touching and Yellow Lemon Sun so instantly melodic.

9. A.C.T. Silence. Read review by Brian
Fascinating Progressive Rock oozing with memorable melodies and smart variations. Even though not all experimentations are just as successful it constantly demands your attention, being soft, intense and challenging.

10. Platitude. Secrets Of Life
It only became better and better. The songs hide small diversions and touches of finesse that make you want to listen to it over and over. Catchy Prog-Power-Rock-Metal hybrid with a vigorous stamp.

11. Bob Catley. Spirit Of Man. Read review by Alanna
The bombastic and very vivid production lift these melodic and quite raw edged songs into high altitude. A consistent and strong release, cunningly adding powerful keyboard harmonies a long the way.

12. Sunstorm. Sunstorm. Read review by Alanna
The vocals are excellent, the songs high quality and the production crisp. A delicious melodic treat with Fame And Fortune and Making Up For Lost Time as truly splendid tracks.

13. Meat Loaf. Bat Out Of Hell Part III - The Monster Is Loose. Read review by Steen
You get both quality and quantity here. Even though it comes right behind the two first releases it's still a bombastic monster of an album. Alive and Seize The Night are completely different songs, but two favourites among lots of great stuff.

14. House Of Lords. World Upside Down. Read review by Alanna
Well-crafted Melodic Rock with both bite and sensitivity. I love the way the lush keys gives warmth to the songs while the choruses have such an elevating ability.

15. Slamer. Nowhere Land. Read review by Brian
The hard rocking Not In Love, the atmospheric and delicate Come To Me and Jaded with its striking chorus line are all amazing songs. The more time I spend with it the more in opened up, a varied and addictive disc.

16. Manticora. The Black Circus Part 1 - Letters. Read review
The Horror-Metal story of the year. Creeping scenarios and convincing dramatics whirled into a Power Metal firestorm.

17. Tomorrow's Eve. The Mirror Of Creation 2 - Genesis II. Read review
A comprehensive and meaty piece of classic Progressive Metal being technical, heavy and cunningly filtered together.

18. Firewind. Allegiance. Read review
Forceful would be my one word review for this disc. Great musicianship, solid tracks and a healthy amount of good old heaviness.

19. Seventh Wonder. Waiting In The Wings. Read review
The in-front keyboard gives the album a special mystic vibe, finding a solid counterweight in great heavy guitar riffs. Interesting sound and an intriguing way of putting songs together.

20. Edguy. Rocket Ride. Read review
Not among the bands most consistent albums, but still filled with quality Metal and melodic refrains impossible not to sing a long to.


Other Releases Worth Checking Out (Alphabetical Order)

Age Of Nemesis. Psychogeist
Andersen/Laine/Readman. III. Read review by Alanna
Andromeda. Chimera
Angra. Aurora Consurgens
Astral Doors. Astralism
Axel Rudi Pell. Mystica. Read review
Benedictum. Uncreation
Beyond Fear. Beyond Fear
Beyond Twilight. For the Love of Art and the Making
Blind Guardian. A Twist In The Myth. Read review by Alanna
Cheap Trick. Rockford. Read review by Brain
Circle II Circle. Burden of Truth. Read review by Alanna
Dionysus. Fairytales And Reality
Dreamquest. Lost Horizons. Read review by Alanna
Eidolon. The Parallel Otherworld
Eldritch. Neighbourhell
Ian Parry. Visions
Iron Maiden. A Matter Of Life And Death
Jon Oliva's Pain. Maniacal Renderings. Read review by Steen
Jorn. The Duke. Read review by Alanna
Khymera. A New Promise. Read review by Alanna
Kottak. Therupy
Leatherwold. World Asylum
Leverage. Tides
Marcel Coenen. Color Journey
Mind's Eye. Walking On H2O
Mob Rules. Ethnolution A.D.. Read review by Alanna
Muse. Black Holes And Revelations
My Chemical Romance. The Black Parade. Read review by Steen
Pretty Maids. Wake Up To The Real World
Prototype. Continuum
Pyramaze. Legend Of The Bone Carver
Queensrÿche. Operation: Mindcrime II
Rage. Speak Of The Dead
Shark Island. Gathering Of The Faithful
Slayer. Christ Illusion
Spock's Beard. Spock's Beard
Stone Lake. Reincarnation
Tears Of Anger. In The Shadows
The Flower Kings. Paradox Hotel
Toto. Falling In Between
Vanden Plas. Christ O
Vicious Rumors. Warball. Read review by Steen
White Willow. Signal To Noise
Winterlong. Metal/Technology
Wuthering Heights. The Shadow Cabinet
Zero Hour. Specs Of Pictures Burnt Beyond


Live Experiences Of The Year (Alphabetical order)

D:A:D. Live At Varde Open Air. Read review
Energetic set with good old classic tracks in focus. Listening to It's After Dark out in the open is also something special.

King Diamond. Live with Loch Vostok and Secret Sphere at Tobakken, Esbjerg. Read review
Secret Sphere was on fire and delivered a convincing show and it was great seeing King Diamond in action even though I wasn't that pleased with the setlist; guess it's hard satisfying everyone with so many cool songs in the baggage.
The musical delivery was extremely coordinated and forceful.

Written by Tommy
Thursday, April 5, 2007