Welcome to UltimateMetal.com’s Staff Picks of 2006! It’s been a great year for metal, and we have plenty to say about it. Below you will find our individual staff picks – organized alphabetically by first name – with links to the corresponding reviews and commentaries underneath. Also, while some staff members chose to compile a Top 25, others opted for a Top 10 and a few even decided to remain silent.
Agree with our choices? Disagree? What’s on your Best of 2006 list? We want to know what you think!
Amanda a.k.a. The Metal Chick
1. Vanden Plas – Christ 0
Few releases this year can measure up to the greatness that is this album. By far the best of their career, and the best prog metal album in a long time. I bow to their awesomeness.
2. Blind Guardian – A Twist in the Myth
This album showcases how Blind Guardian can move forward musically while still keeping their classic style behind it all. I really like the new direction they’ve taken, and I think it’s pretty near impossible for them to release a bad album.
3. Elvenking – The Winter Wake
This band is so much fun with their folk metal style. Violins in metal really are cool. These crazy Italians just cannot disappoint.
4. Eternal Tears of Sorrow – Before the Bleeding Sun
One of a handful of bands in the death metal realm that I can’t get enough of. This album is dark, evil, and beautiful.
5. Into Eternity – A Scattering of Ashes
Here is another band that can probably never release a bad album. This one is their best by a long shot, and I now have a new respect for how great this band really is.
6. Scar Symmetry – Pitch Black Progress
In the same style as Into Eternity, but a little heavier and darker. They’ve improved with this album, and they can only get better from here.
7. Angra – Aurora Consurgens
I don’t care what anyone else says, this is one of the best Angra releases of all time. It made me a true Angra fan – something their previous albums couldn’t quite do.
8. Dragonforce – Inhuman Rampage
The ultimate in melodic speed power metal. Others of this style can only aspire to be this cool.
9. Falconer – Northwind
Another folk metal band with their best album to date. The singer is amazing, a voice you don’t find in metal. Falconer fans should love this.
10. Circle II Circle – Burden of Truth
This is my introduction to CIIC, and certainly an impressive one. They’re led by one of the greatest metal singers of all time, Zak Stevens, so that right there makes the band worthy of attention.
11. Mercenary – The Hours That Remain
11. Venturia – New Kingdom
13. Moonspell – Memorial
14. Pyramaze – Legend of the Bone Carver
15. Tarot – Crows Fly Black
16. Edguy – Rocket Ride
17. Rage – Speak of the Dead
18. Manigance – L’ombre et la Lumiere
19. Eidolon – Parallel Otherworld
20. Warcry – La Quinta Esencia
21. Tears of Anger – In the Shadows
22. Vision Divine – The Perfect Machine
23. Persuader – When Eden Burns
24. Section A – Parallel Lives
25. Zero Hour – Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond
Jason a.k.a. circus_brimstone
I have absolutely no complaints this year. It seems I never do. 2006 saw remarkable returns by veterans and stunning debuts from several newcomers. At the time of publication I had listened to 152 albums released in 2006 alone, and of course considered them all for inclusion in this year’s best-of list.
1. Agalloch – Ashes Against the Grain
As far as I’m concerned, this is the perfect Agalloch album. Songs like ‘Falling Snow,’ ‘Not Unlike the Waves,’ and ‘Our Fortress is Burning: II – Bloodbirds’ kept me revisiting time and time again.
2. Drudkh – Blood in Our Wells
I’m not alone in the sense that I, like many of you, can’t get enough of this Ukrainian black/folk band. The Swan Road topped best-of lists last year, and Blood in Our Wells should claim the same honors. ‘Furrows of Gods’ is one of my favorite tracks from 2006.
3. Giant Squid – Metridium Fields
The End had a great year, and so did Giant Squid. Though less eccentric than many of their labelmates, GS prove no slouch in the songwriting department as Metridium Fields is compelling from beginning to end.
4. Enslaved – Ruun
Further widening the gap between traditional black metal and themselves, Enslaved follow up Below the Lights and the more like-minded Isa with Ruun – a progressive post-black outing that excels on all levels. At first it’s not as pleasing as the above-mentioned record – it’s true I still prefer BtL and I – but given some time it makes a name for itself. By that time, you won’t be able to stop listening to it.
5. Cult of Luna – Somewhere Along the Highway
This one really snuck up on me. I thought I’d given it plenty of time, but after writing it off as a decent album and shelving it, I kept returning over and over. Cult of Luna, though I am of the opinion that they haven’t yet peaked, have tons of potential, and somewhere along the way, Somewhere Along the Highway clicked with me and I haven’t looked back since.
6. Envy – Insomniac Doze
Japan’s Envy are no strangers to the post-rock crowd, and Insomniac Doze is an improvement over its more scatterbrained predecessor A Dead Sinking Story. While the lyrics are all sung in Japanese – they’re translated in the booklet for English-speaking audiences – Envy manage to be incredibly emotive in spite of the language barrier. ‘Scene’ is one of my favorite songs of the year, too.
7. Unexpect – In a Flesh Aquarium
In a Flesh Aquarium is truly an accomplishment for avant-garde, Canadian group Unexpect. Featuring jawdropping musicianship, well-thought-out songwriting, and a stellar production, Unexpect’s IaFA witnesses the band at the top of their game. The End was smart for signing ‘em.
8. Summoning – Oath Bound
Despite being my introduction to Tolkien-obsessed Summoning, I had no trouble warming up to Oath Bound. The songs they come up with are mindblowing – see ‘Mirdautas Vras’ and ‘Land of the Dead’ for details – and from what I hear OB is on par with most, if not all, of their back catalog.
9. Converge – No Heroes
Converge are back with a vengeance. You Fail Me was mildly disappointing considering they were coming off Jane Doe, but No Heroes proves they’re back on top.
10. Katatonia – The Great Cold Distance
Consistent beyond belief, Sweden’s Katatonia turn in another spellbinding full-length with The Great Cold Distance. Some of the material even stands up to prior favorites, and the band sounds as good as they ever have.
11. Amorphis – Eclipse
12. Red Sparowes – Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun
13. Russian Circles – Enter
14. Vader – Impressions in Blood
15. Wolves in the Throne Room – Diadem of 12 Stars
16. Fuck the Facts – Stigmata High-Five
17. Mouth of the Architect – The Ties That Blind
18. Isis – In the Absence of Truth
19. Anata - The Conductor's Departure
20. Arsis – United in Regret
21. Nachtmystium – Instinct: Decay
22. Benighted – Identisick
23. Canvas Solaris – Penumbra Diffuse
24. All Shall Perish – The Price of Existence
25. Negura Bunget – Om
Nathan a.k.a. Nate The Great
1. Celtic Frost – Monotheist
It’s nearly impossible for a metal album to offer more than this. These veterans have not only learned from their students, they’ve turned around and put on a clinic in blackened metal that all their followers will be scrambling to match in the following years.
2. Blut Aus Nord – MoRT
This is the definition of “falling into the abyss”. MoRT swirls its blackness around the listener creating one of the most uncomfortable experiences in quite a few years.
3. Moonspell – Memorial
Sometimes sheer enjoyment has to be a factor in rating an album at year-end. Memorial is outstanding in its ability to pull the listener into this band’s awesome gothic metal.
4. Enslaved – Ruun
This album is quite possibly the best of this band’s last 3 albums…and that’s saying a lot.
5. Drudkh – Blood in Our Wells
It’s fair to say Drudkh is going to have trouble staying “underground” after this album. A true masterpiece of Burzumic black metal, this album is light years beyond that simple classification.
6. Converge – No Heroes
This band continues to push boundaries and explore the outer ranges of song structure and stellar musicianship. Aggressive and emotional…what more can you ask for?
7. Agalloch – Ashes Against the Grain
This is probably the album that will catapult this band to new heights. More indie-rock, less black metal, but all for the better.
8. Katatonia – The Great Cold Distance
A unique album in that it was a disappointment to me early on. Over time I slowly was pulled into it’s modern spin on the amazing Discouraged Ones.
9. Wolves in the Throne Room – Diadem of 12 Stars
Possibly the USA’s best black metal band. This is exactly what I think of when I think of Pacific Northwest Black Metal.
10. Intronaut – Void
With Mastodon flopping around on the beach like a dead fish, we’re lucky to have a band that can pick up where they left off…of course the inclusion of death metal and the exclusion of any southern comfort makes them an entity all their own.
11. Daylight Dies – Dismantling Devotion
12. Mouth of the Architect – The Ties That Blind
13. These Arms Are Snakes – Easter
14. Anaal Nathrakh – Eschaton
15. Scald – Vermiculatus
16. Microwaves – Contagion Heuristic
17. Isis – In the Absence of Truth
18. Negura Bunget – Om
19. Wolf Eyes – Human Animal
20. Fall of the Leafe – Vantage
21. Wolverine – Still
22. Textures – Drawing Circles
23. In Flames – Come Clarity
24. Merrimack – Of Entropy and Life Denial
25. Thralldom – A Shaman Steering the Vessel of Vastness
Phil a.k.a. dill_the_devil
I won't be listing Top Ten releases this year. There are a couple of reasons for this, the most pertinent being that I haven't actually had a chance to listen to much of anything that hasn't specifically been sent to me for review in 2006. This means that there are rather significant gaps in my knowledge of and familiarity with this year's releases. While there have been stand-out albums amongst the piles sent to me this year – Celtic Frost's Monotheist, Vader's Impressions in Blood and Manatees' Untitled all spring to mind – I wouldn't feel comfortable including such albums in an apparently definitive 'Top Ten' list when I have yet to fully absorb (or even listen to) other releases such as Isis' In the Absence of Truth, Blut Aus Nord's MoRT and Napalm Death's Smear Campaign.
Rodrigo Escandon
Unfortunately my output for UltimateMetal continues to be minimal compared to previous years but the with added responsibilities at my job and obtaining an MBA it has really been difficult for me to give UM more time. However, at least I have stayed on top of things and listened to well over 100 2006 releases that were all considered for this best-of list.
1. Cult of Luna – Somewhere Along the Highway
An album that truly affected me in a personal matter, Somewhere Along the Highway is a monumental achievement from a band that keeps getting better with each album.
2. Drudkh – Blood in Our Wells
Drudkh continue to prove that they are unrivaled with their brand of black/folk metal. Blood in Our Wells would have been number 1 in any other year.
3. Summoning – Oath Bound
After a long break, the heavily Tolkien-influenced Summoning have come back with an amazing album. ‘Land of the Dead’ and ‘Mirdautas Vras’ (sung in the black language of Mordor) are two of the best songs of the year.
4. Benighted – Identisick
I will not back down in saying that this is the best death metal album since 1998’s The Sound of Perseverance.
5. Peste Noire – La Sanie des Siècles - Panégyrique De La Dégénerescence
This is without a doubt one of the best black metal debuts ever. Peste Noire’s blend of raw production values, melodic sounds courtesy of both electric and acoustic guitars, tortured screams and mid-tempo pace takes you into a world of anguish and despair that is completely captivating.
6. Suidakra – Caledonia
With guitarist Marcel Schoenen back in the band, Suidakra also returned to their folk roots and crafted what could possibly be their best album.
7. Andromeda – Chimera
I was never a big fan of Andromeda’s last album II=I, which felt cold and too technical for its own good, so Chimera definitely caught me by surprise. David Fremberg’s singing is phenomenal and the rest of the band led by the talented Johan Reinholdz have crafted catchy, melodic and memorable songs that are not overdone with unnecessary technical prowess.
8. Manticora – The Black Circus Part 1 – Letters
One word that can easily describe Denmark’s Manticora is consistent. The Black Circus Part 1 – Letters is the band’s fifth release and I can’t think of one negative aspect on any of their releases. This is another excellent addition to the band’s catalogue and I can’t wait for Part 2.
9. Kalmah – The Black Waltz
The Black Waltz brought major changes for Kalmah. For starters, Pekka now sings in a lower and deeper growl (much more similar to death metal style singing). In addition, the keyboards were put more in the background and more emphasis was shown with the guitars. As a result, Kalmah now sounds much heavier and much better than ever.
10. Mastodon – Blood Mountain
Let’s get it out of the way, Blood Mountain is not as good as its predecessor but could Mastodon have topped Leviathan with the follow-up? I don’t think it’s too far of a stretch to answer “No” to that question. By not comparing it to Leviathan I was able to enjoy the many qualities of Blood Mountain much more and I definitely began to like it more and more after my initial disappointment with it.
11. Agalloch – Ashes Against the Grain
12. Negura Bunget – OM
13. Red Sparowes – Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun
14. Converge – No Heroes
15. Wolf – The Black Flame
16. Astral Doors – Astralism
17. Yakuza – Samsara
18. Amon Amarth – With Oden on Our Side
19. Heaven Shall Burn – Deaf to Our Prayers
20. Enslaved – Ruun
21. Iron Maiden – A Matter of Life and Death
22. Amorphis – Eclipse
23. Hammers of Misfortune – The Locust Years
24. Anaal Nathrakh – Eschaton
25. Aborym – Generator
Russell
This has been a good year – relatively rarely do I pick up on and enjoy so many new releases so quickly. There are some gaps I still have to fill: while there are a few albums I want to hear that I haven’t had the chance to get my hands on yet, the biggest issue has been finding the opportunity to give each album the listening time it deserves. At the time of publication (What, me, steal an idea? Never. [Cheers Jason!]) I’ve listened to about 400 albums released in 2006, and edited reviews of a further 600. To check out everything in those reviews, or give every promo that’s passed through my hands on the way to review for UM as much time as I would if I were to review it myself, or had bought it, would be tricky…. So I’ve cheated and indicated this on my list (Man is this going to bug Jason with his format pedantry…. Hah!).
Top Ten:
1. My Dying Bride – A Line of Deathless Kings
I’ve never been the biggest MDB fan. They’ve always been good, some albums great, but rarely have I enjoyed one of their CDs as soon – and as consistently – as A Line of Deathless Kings. As ever, the band sounds as happy as a bulimic in a pie-eating contest (See that line between edgy and outright offensive? I think I just gaily danced over it), but beyond puerile similes, this is emotive, majestic, and hugely memorable.
2. Disillusion – Gloria
A major step away from Back to Times of Splendor, this is a courageous, exciting release. I can see why this may piss fans off, but in my opinion this is a daring, original, and truly well thought-out release, which deserves recognition. It makes me warm inside…like when I used to climb the rope in gym.
3. Covenant – Skyshaper
This being a list for UM, I’ve largely stuck to metal (and I’m indecisive at the best of times, narrowing my choices makes it all a little easier). Yet I couldn’t keep this one off – Covenant are one of my favourite EBM bands, and have proved unbelievably consistent over the years. With Skyshaper they have proved again how damn good they are at writing downcast and unforgettable future-pop.
4. Christopher – Abandoned in Situ
It’s been five years since Christopher’s last CD, but the wait has been worth it. This mix of classical, industrial metal (kinda) and world music is compelling (but not entirely accessible – it grows), well-written, and original. Plus the very high standard of this self-release shows some artists need a label as much as an ass-kicking contest needs a one-legged amputee. A lot of labels don’t get this professional.
5. Negura Bunget – OM
If you spend your time contemplating the vast void and darkness so inherent to your soul while roasting marshmallows on a burning church, I’m guessing OM is your number one album this year. Either that or you haven’t heard it yet. The dark, dark atmosphere of this release constantly transports me back to when I was first getting into black metal, and for that alone it deserves to be in my top ten. Great stuff.
6. Cradle Of Filth – Thornography
I’m not a Cradle fan. In fact – much to my other half’s annoyance – I spend a lot of time being disdainful towards them, which is perhaps why just writing this makes me feel dirty (like when I used to climb the rope in gym!). But this is really a very good album. Straightforward metal, with fewer symphonics and decent songs. I expect to like it (like climbing the rope in gym), but I couldn’t help it (like…well, you see where I’m going with this. But I’m just kidding really; I never liked the gym ropes.).
7. To-Mera – Transcendental
Much as I’d like to take this entire paragraph making jokes about Lee_B and pies (I wonder if Lee ever climbed the rope in gym?) – and then wait for his disparaging comments calling me a dirty hippy, with the usual insults about my trousers and girly hair (all fair game really as he’s not actually that large [don’t tell him I said that]) – that would be doing the band a disservice because this is actually a very good release. To-Mera have done a great job with Transcendental, which manages to be prog without being stereotypical, technical without being forgettable, and varied while remaining cohesive. Very nice (Hey, where’d my pie go?).
8. Envy – Insomniac Doze
I’ve followed Envy since All the Footsteps…, and Insomniac Doze marks another step in their gradual evolution from screamo (as it should be done, I hasten to add) towards more post-rock influenced and original territory. But above all this, it is emotive – I can’t speak Japanese for shit, yet that proves no problem in catching the mood of the songs.
9. Katatonia – The Great Cold Distance
At first I was a little nonplussed on hearing The Great Cold Distance, but with time (and winter!) it’s really started to grow on me. Another excellent album from an inspiringly consistent band.
10. Agalloch – Ashes Against the Grain
I really don’t need to say anything that hasn’t already been said. So…umm…lovely weather we’re having isn’t it? Uh, yeah, creationism, pretty entertaining huh? But I'll tell you what's dead. Vaudeville. You know what killed it? Talkie pictures. But you can still make it. You just need a gimmick. I, for one, am a tumbler….
Honourable Mentions:
Aborym - Generator
Electric Mud Generator – The Sun Will Rise
Novembre – Materia
Shade Empire – Intoxicate O.S.
Summoning – Oath Bound
Stuff I Haven’t Listened to Enough to Tell If It’ll Be in My Top List:
Amorphis – Eclipse
Anata – The Conductor's Departure
Celtic Frost – Monotheist
The Ocean – Aeolian
Madder Mortem – Desiderata
Yyrkoon – Unhealthy Opera
Ihsahn – The Adversary
Manatees – Untitled
Enslaved – Ruun
Unexpect – In a Flesh Aquarium
Stuff I Haven’t Heard but May Well Feature on My List If I Had:
Cult of Luna – Somewhere Along the Highway
Converge – No Heroes
Wolves in the Throne Room – Diadem of 12 Stars
Isis – In the Absence of Truth
Blut Aus Nord – MoRT
Drudkh – Blood in Our Wells
Wolverine – Still
Insomnium – Above the Weeping World
The Gathering – Homed
Hammers of Misfortune – The Locust Years
Agree with our choices? Disagree? What’s on your Best of 2006 list? We want to know what you think!
Amanda a.k.a. The Metal Chick
1. Vanden Plas – Christ 0
Few releases this year can measure up to the greatness that is this album. By far the best of their career, and the best prog metal album in a long time. I bow to their awesomeness.
2. Blind Guardian – A Twist in the Myth
This album showcases how Blind Guardian can move forward musically while still keeping their classic style behind it all. I really like the new direction they’ve taken, and I think it’s pretty near impossible for them to release a bad album.
3. Elvenking – The Winter Wake
This band is so much fun with their folk metal style. Violins in metal really are cool. These crazy Italians just cannot disappoint.
4. Eternal Tears of Sorrow – Before the Bleeding Sun
One of a handful of bands in the death metal realm that I can’t get enough of. This album is dark, evil, and beautiful.
5. Into Eternity – A Scattering of Ashes
Here is another band that can probably never release a bad album. This one is their best by a long shot, and I now have a new respect for how great this band really is.
6. Scar Symmetry – Pitch Black Progress
In the same style as Into Eternity, but a little heavier and darker. They’ve improved with this album, and they can only get better from here.
7. Angra – Aurora Consurgens
I don’t care what anyone else says, this is one of the best Angra releases of all time. It made me a true Angra fan – something their previous albums couldn’t quite do.
8. Dragonforce – Inhuman Rampage
The ultimate in melodic speed power metal. Others of this style can only aspire to be this cool.
9. Falconer – Northwind
Another folk metal band with their best album to date. The singer is amazing, a voice you don’t find in metal. Falconer fans should love this.
10. Circle II Circle – Burden of Truth
This is my introduction to CIIC, and certainly an impressive one. They’re led by one of the greatest metal singers of all time, Zak Stevens, so that right there makes the band worthy of attention.
11. Mercenary – The Hours That Remain
11. Venturia – New Kingdom
13. Moonspell – Memorial
14. Pyramaze – Legend of the Bone Carver
15. Tarot – Crows Fly Black
16. Edguy – Rocket Ride
17. Rage – Speak of the Dead
18. Manigance – L’ombre et la Lumiere
19. Eidolon – Parallel Otherworld
20. Warcry – La Quinta Esencia
21. Tears of Anger – In the Shadows
22. Vision Divine – The Perfect Machine
23. Persuader – When Eden Burns
24. Section A – Parallel Lives
25. Zero Hour – Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond
Jason a.k.a. circus_brimstone
I have absolutely no complaints this year. It seems I never do. 2006 saw remarkable returns by veterans and stunning debuts from several newcomers. At the time of publication I had listened to 152 albums released in 2006 alone, and of course considered them all for inclusion in this year’s best-of list.
1. Agalloch – Ashes Against the Grain
As far as I’m concerned, this is the perfect Agalloch album. Songs like ‘Falling Snow,’ ‘Not Unlike the Waves,’ and ‘Our Fortress is Burning: II – Bloodbirds’ kept me revisiting time and time again.
2. Drudkh – Blood in Our Wells
I’m not alone in the sense that I, like many of you, can’t get enough of this Ukrainian black/folk band. The Swan Road topped best-of lists last year, and Blood in Our Wells should claim the same honors. ‘Furrows of Gods’ is one of my favorite tracks from 2006.
3. Giant Squid – Metridium Fields
The End had a great year, and so did Giant Squid. Though less eccentric than many of their labelmates, GS prove no slouch in the songwriting department as Metridium Fields is compelling from beginning to end.
4. Enslaved – Ruun
Further widening the gap between traditional black metal and themselves, Enslaved follow up Below the Lights and the more like-minded Isa with Ruun – a progressive post-black outing that excels on all levels. At first it’s not as pleasing as the above-mentioned record – it’s true I still prefer BtL and I – but given some time it makes a name for itself. By that time, you won’t be able to stop listening to it.
5. Cult of Luna – Somewhere Along the Highway
This one really snuck up on me. I thought I’d given it plenty of time, but after writing it off as a decent album and shelving it, I kept returning over and over. Cult of Luna, though I am of the opinion that they haven’t yet peaked, have tons of potential, and somewhere along the way, Somewhere Along the Highway clicked with me and I haven’t looked back since.
6. Envy – Insomniac Doze
Japan’s Envy are no strangers to the post-rock crowd, and Insomniac Doze is an improvement over its more scatterbrained predecessor A Dead Sinking Story. While the lyrics are all sung in Japanese – they’re translated in the booklet for English-speaking audiences – Envy manage to be incredibly emotive in spite of the language barrier. ‘Scene’ is one of my favorite songs of the year, too.
7. Unexpect – In a Flesh Aquarium
In a Flesh Aquarium is truly an accomplishment for avant-garde, Canadian group Unexpect. Featuring jawdropping musicianship, well-thought-out songwriting, and a stellar production, Unexpect’s IaFA witnesses the band at the top of their game. The End was smart for signing ‘em.
8. Summoning – Oath Bound
Despite being my introduction to Tolkien-obsessed Summoning, I had no trouble warming up to Oath Bound. The songs they come up with are mindblowing – see ‘Mirdautas Vras’ and ‘Land of the Dead’ for details – and from what I hear OB is on par with most, if not all, of their back catalog.
9. Converge – No Heroes
Converge are back with a vengeance. You Fail Me was mildly disappointing considering they were coming off Jane Doe, but No Heroes proves they’re back on top.
10. Katatonia – The Great Cold Distance
Consistent beyond belief, Sweden’s Katatonia turn in another spellbinding full-length with The Great Cold Distance. Some of the material even stands up to prior favorites, and the band sounds as good as they ever have.
11. Amorphis – Eclipse
12. Red Sparowes – Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun
13. Russian Circles – Enter
14. Vader – Impressions in Blood
15. Wolves in the Throne Room – Diadem of 12 Stars
16. Fuck the Facts – Stigmata High-Five
17. Mouth of the Architect – The Ties That Blind
18. Isis – In the Absence of Truth
19. Anata - The Conductor's Departure
20. Arsis – United in Regret
21. Nachtmystium – Instinct: Decay
22. Benighted – Identisick
23. Canvas Solaris – Penumbra Diffuse
24. All Shall Perish – The Price of Existence
25. Negura Bunget – Om
Nathan a.k.a. Nate The Great
1. Celtic Frost – Monotheist
It’s nearly impossible for a metal album to offer more than this. These veterans have not only learned from their students, they’ve turned around and put on a clinic in blackened metal that all their followers will be scrambling to match in the following years.
2. Blut Aus Nord – MoRT
This is the definition of “falling into the abyss”. MoRT swirls its blackness around the listener creating one of the most uncomfortable experiences in quite a few years.
3. Moonspell – Memorial
Sometimes sheer enjoyment has to be a factor in rating an album at year-end. Memorial is outstanding in its ability to pull the listener into this band’s awesome gothic metal.
4. Enslaved – Ruun
This album is quite possibly the best of this band’s last 3 albums…and that’s saying a lot.
5. Drudkh – Blood in Our Wells
It’s fair to say Drudkh is going to have trouble staying “underground” after this album. A true masterpiece of Burzumic black metal, this album is light years beyond that simple classification.
6. Converge – No Heroes
This band continues to push boundaries and explore the outer ranges of song structure and stellar musicianship. Aggressive and emotional…what more can you ask for?
7. Agalloch – Ashes Against the Grain
This is probably the album that will catapult this band to new heights. More indie-rock, less black metal, but all for the better.
8. Katatonia – The Great Cold Distance
A unique album in that it was a disappointment to me early on. Over time I slowly was pulled into it’s modern spin on the amazing Discouraged Ones.
9. Wolves in the Throne Room – Diadem of 12 Stars
Possibly the USA’s best black metal band. This is exactly what I think of when I think of Pacific Northwest Black Metal.
10. Intronaut – Void
With Mastodon flopping around on the beach like a dead fish, we’re lucky to have a band that can pick up where they left off…of course the inclusion of death metal and the exclusion of any southern comfort makes them an entity all their own.
11. Daylight Dies – Dismantling Devotion
12. Mouth of the Architect – The Ties That Blind
13. These Arms Are Snakes – Easter
14. Anaal Nathrakh – Eschaton
15. Scald – Vermiculatus
16. Microwaves – Contagion Heuristic
17. Isis – In the Absence of Truth
18. Negura Bunget – Om
19. Wolf Eyes – Human Animal
20. Fall of the Leafe – Vantage
21. Wolverine – Still
22. Textures – Drawing Circles
23. In Flames – Come Clarity
24. Merrimack – Of Entropy and Life Denial
25. Thralldom – A Shaman Steering the Vessel of Vastness
Phil a.k.a. dill_the_devil
I won't be listing Top Ten releases this year. There are a couple of reasons for this, the most pertinent being that I haven't actually had a chance to listen to much of anything that hasn't specifically been sent to me for review in 2006. This means that there are rather significant gaps in my knowledge of and familiarity with this year's releases. While there have been stand-out albums amongst the piles sent to me this year – Celtic Frost's Monotheist, Vader's Impressions in Blood and Manatees' Untitled all spring to mind – I wouldn't feel comfortable including such albums in an apparently definitive 'Top Ten' list when I have yet to fully absorb (or even listen to) other releases such as Isis' In the Absence of Truth, Blut Aus Nord's MoRT and Napalm Death's Smear Campaign.
Rodrigo Escandon
Unfortunately my output for UltimateMetal continues to be minimal compared to previous years but the with added responsibilities at my job and obtaining an MBA it has really been difficult for me to give UM more time. However, at least I have stayed on top of things and listened to well over 100 2006 releases that were all considered for this best-of list.
1. Cult of Luna – Somewhere Along the Highway
An album that truly affected me in a personal matter, Somewhere Along the Highway is a monumental achievement from a band that keeps getting better with each album.
2. Drudkh – Blood in Our Wells
Drudkh continue to prove that they are unrivaled with their brand of black/folk metal. Blood in Our Wells would have been number 1 in any other year.
3. Summoning – Oath Bound
After a long break, the heavily Tolkien-influenced Summoning have come back with an amazing album. ‘Land of the Dead’ and ‘Mirdautas Vras’ (sung in the black language of Mordor) are two of the best songs of the year.
4. Benighted – Identisick
I will not back down in saying that this is the best death metal album since 1998’s The Sound of Perseverance.
5. Peste Noire – La Sanie des Siècles - Panégyrique De La Dégénerescence
This is without a doubt one of the best black metal debuts ever. Peste Noire’s blend of raw production values, melodic sounds courtesy of both electric and acoustic guitars, tortured screams and mid-tempo pace takes you into a world of anguish and despair that is completely captivating.
6. Suidakra – Caledonia
With guitarist Marcel Schoenen back in the band, Suidakra also returned to their folk roots and crafted what could possibly be their best album.
7. Andromeda – Chimera
I was never a big fan of Andromeda’s last album II=I, which felt cold and too technical for its own good, so Chimera definitely caught me by surprise. David Fremberg’s singing is phenomenal and the rest of the band led by the talented Johan Reinholdz have crafted catchy, melodic and memorable songs that are not overdone with unnecessary technical prowess.
8. Manticora – The Black Circus Part 1 – Letters
One word that can easily describe Denmark’s Manticora is consistent. The Black Circus Part 1 – Letters is the band’s fifth release and I can’t think of one negative aspect on any of their releases. This is another excellent addition to the band’s catalogue and I can’t wait for Part 2.
9. Kalmah – The Black Waltz
The Black Waltz brought major changes for Kalmah. For starters, Pekka now sings in a lower and deeper growl (much more similar to death metal style singing). In addition, the keyboards were put more in the background and more emphasis was shown with the guitars. As a result, Kalmah now sounds much heavier and much better than ever.
10. Mastodon – Blood Mountain
Let’s get it out of the way, Blood Mountain is not as good as its predecessor but could Mastodon have topped Leviathan with the follow-up? I don’t think it’s too far of a stretch to answer “No” to that question. By not comparing it to Leviathan I was able to enjoy the many qualities of Blood Mountain much more and I definitely began to like it more and more after my initial disappointment with it.
11. Agalloch – Ashes Against the Grain
12. Negura Bunget – OM
13. Red Sparowes – Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun
14. Converge – No Heroes
15. Wolf – The Black Flame
16. Astral Doors – Astralism
17. Yakuza – Samsara
18. Amon Amarth – With Oden on Our Side
19. Heaven Shall Burn – Deaf to Our Prayers
20. Enslaved – Ruun
21. Iron Maiden – A Matter of Life and Death
22. Amorphis – Eclipse
23. Hammers of Misfortune – The Locust Years
24. Anaal Nathrakh – Eschaton
25. Aborym – Generator
Russell
This has been a good year – relatively rarely do I pick up on and enjoy so many new releases so quickly. There are some gaps I still have to fill: while there are a few albums I want to hear that I haven’t had the chance to get my hands on yet, the biggest issue has been finding the opportunity to give each album the listening time it deserves. At the time of publication (What, me, steal an idea? Never. [Cheers Jason!]) I’ve listened to about 400 albums released in 2006, and edited reviews of a further 600. To check out everything in those reviews, or give every promo that’s passed through my hands on the way to review for UM as much time as I would if I were to review it myself, or had bought it, would be tricky…. So I’ve cheated and indicated this on my list (Man is this going to bug Jason with his format pedantry…. Hah!).
Top Ten:
1. My Dying Bride – A Line of Deathless Kings
I’ve never been the biggest MDB fan. They’ve always been good, some albums great, but rarely have I enjoyed one of their CDs as soon – and as consistently – as A Line of Deathless Kings. As ever, the band sounds as happy as a bulimic in a pie-eating contest (See that line between edgy and outright offensive? I think I just gaily danced over it), but beyond puerile similes, this is emotive, majestic, and hugely memorable.
2. Disillusion – Gloria
A major step away from Back to Times of Splendor, this is a courageous, exciting release. I can see why this may piss fans off, but in my opinion this is a daring, original, and truly well thought-out release, which deserves recognition. It makes me warm inside…like when I used to climb the rope in gym.
3. Covenant – Skyshaper
This being a list for UM, I’ve largely stuck to metal (and I’m indecisive at the best of times, narrowing my choices makes it all a little easier). Yet I couldn’t keep this one off – Covenant are one of my favourite EBM bands, and have proved unbelievably consistent over the years. With Skyshaper they have proved again how damn good they are at writing downcast and unforgettable future-pop.
4. Christopher – Abandoned in Situ
It’s been five years since Christopher’s last CD, but the wait has been worth it. This mix of classical, industrial metal (kinda) and world music is compelling (but not entirely accessible – it grows), well-written, and original. Plus the very high standard of this self-release shows some artists need a label as much as an ass-kicking contest needs a one-legged amputee. A lot of labels don’t get this professional.
5. Negura Bunget – OM
If you spend your time contemplating the vast void and darkness so inherent to your soul while roasting marshmallows on a burning church, I’m guessing OM is your number one album this year. Either that or you haven’t heard it yet. The dark, dark atmosphere of this release constantly transports me back to when I was first getting into black metal, and for that alone it deserves to be in my top ten. Great stuff.
6. Cradle Of Filth – Thornography
I’m not a Cradle fan. In fact – much to my other half’s annoyance – I spend a lot of time being disdainful towards them, which is perhaps why just writing this makes me feel dirty (like when I used to climb the rope in gym!). But this is really a very good album. Straightforward metal, with fewer symphonics and decent songs. I expect to like it (like climbing the rope in gym), but I couldn’t help it (like…well, you see where I’m going with this. But I’m just kidding really; I never liked the gym ropes.).
7. To-Mera – Transcendental
Much as I’d like to take this entire paragraph making jokes about Lee_B and pies (I wonder if Lee ever climbed the rope in gym?) – and then wait for his disparaging comments calling me a dirty hippy, with the usual insults about my trousers and girly hair (all fair game really as he’s not actually that large [don’t tell him I said that]) – that would be doing the band a disservice because this is actually a very good release. To-Mera have done a great job with Transcendental, which manages to be prog without being stereotypical, technical without being forgettable, and varied while remaining cohesive. Very nice (Hey, where’d my pie go?).
8. Envy – Insomniac Doze
I’ve followed Envy since All the Footsteps…, and Insomniac Doze marks another step in their gradual evolution from screamo (as it should be done, I hasten to add) towards more post-rock influenced and original territory. But above all this, it is emotive – I can’t speak Japanese for shit, yet that proves no problem in catching the mood of the songs.
9. Katatonia – The Great Cold Distance
At first I was a little nonplussed on hearing The Great Cold Distance, but with time (and winter!) it’s really started to grow on me. Another excellent album from an inspiringly consistent band.
10. Agalloch – Ashes Against the Grain
I really don’t need to say anything that hasn’t already been said. So…umm…lovely weather we’re having isn’t it? Uh, yeah, creationism, pretty entertaining huh? But I'll tell you what's dead. Vaudeville. You know what killed it? Talkie pictures. But you can still make it. You just need a gimmick. I, for one, am a tumbler….
Honourable Mentions:
Aborym - Generator
Electric Mud Generator – The Sun Will Rise
Novembre – Materia
Shade Empire – Intoxicate O.S.
Summoning – Oath Bound
Stuff I Haven’t Listened to Enough to Tell If It’ll Be in My Top List:
Amorphis – Eclipse
Anata – The Conductor's Departure
Celtic Frost – Monotheist
The Ocean – Aeolian
Madder Mortem – Desiderata
Yyrkoon – Unhealthy Opera
Ihsahn – The Adversary
Manatees – Untitled
Enslaved – Ruun
Unexpect – In a Flesh Aquarium
Stuff I Haven’t Heard but May Well Feature on My List If I Had:
Cult of Luna – Somewhere Along the Highway
Converge – No Heroes
Wolves in the Throne Room – Diadem of 12 Stars
Isis – In the Absence of Truth
Blut Aus Nord – MoRT
Drudkh – Blood in Our Wells
Wolverine – Still
Insomnium – Above the Weeping World
The Gathering – Homed
Hammers of Misfortune – The Locust Years
