Top 5 of '06 thus far?

[DoomsdayZach]

We're a little over 3/4 of the way through the year, so what is the top 5 metal albums thus far? Awaiting any other gems? Honorable mentions (since i know most people won't be able to keep it at 5, including myself)?

I don't have a whole lot that i am anticipating for the rest of the year other than the new Arsis (if it makes it by the end of the year?) and the new Susperia (again, may be early '07), so i'm pretty well set in my list. Top 5 are:

1) Tyr - Ragnarok
Easily one of the best albums of the year, if not an immediate addition to my top 20 of all time. Just a great disc from start to finish. Well worth checking out.

2) Amon Amarth - With Oden on our Side
One of the most powerful discs of the year with good sing along songs and some fucking amazing lyrics.

3 and 4) This is tough. Toss up between:
-Agalloch - Ashes Against the Grain
Damn near perfect album with some great melodies.
-Communic - Waves of Visual Decay
It's stupid how good this album is.

5) Chrome Division - Doomsday Rock N' Roll
Just a good rock/metal album in the vein of Motorhead. It's just a fantastic release, and every track is catchy as hell.

Other albums that are winners are Abysmal Dawn - From Ashes, Mercenary - The Hours that Remain, Unmerciful - Unmercifully Beaten, Shadow Demon - Grimoire of Ruin, and Krisiun - AssassiNation (which will probably be upset by the new Arsis to round out my top 10)

Overall, not a ton of great albums this year, but those that were were amazing.

Oh, and best dvd of the year is Amon Amarth - Wrath of the Norsemen. Hands down.

 

[RequiemX]

Woah..wait...a new Tyr?!

Okay. Here're my top albums so far this year (I can't figure out order):

• Alkonost — Путь Непройденный
• Beyond Twilight — For The Love Of Art And The Making
• Jorn — The Duke
• Echo of Dalriada — Jégbontó
• Canvas Solaris — Penumbra Diffuse
• Sonata Arctica — For The Sake of Revenge

I'm sure this'll grow before the year is out.

 

[Phanto]

I think Tyr - Ragnarok was a bit of a let down... Liked the first album a lot more, with über songs like The Edge and Eric the Red. None of the tracks on Ragnarok are even close imo.

Anyway, for my list:

1. A.C.T. - Silence
2. Amon Amarth - With Oden On Our Side
3. Agalloch - Ashes Against the Grain
4. Kiuas - Reformation
5. Dark Empire - Distant Tides

The list will definitly change by the end of the year.

And biggest let downs of '06 (so far):
Blind Guardian and Tyr.

 

[meisteh]

1. Beyond Twilight - For The Love of Art and The Making




that is all.

 

[Hawk]

Zero Hour - Specs Of Pictures Burnt Beyond
Beyond Twilight - For The Love Of Art And The Making
Seventh Wonder- Waiting in the Wings
Into Enternity - The Scattering Of Ashes
Communic - Waves Of Visual Decay

 

[Liquid Tension]

Overall, not a ton of great albums this year, but those that were were amazing.

This is pretty much the opposite way that I think about this year....

There are many good discs this year but nothing amazing...

Oceansize
Wastefalls
Hammer of Misfortune
Spheric Universe Experience
Karcius
Madder Mortem
Thessera
Ventura
Andromeda
The Sword
Beyond Twilight
Tool
Citriniti
Three Wishes
Devin Townsend Band
Unexpect
Prototype
Voivod
Sikth
Canvas Solaris
Communic
Mastodon
Twisted Into Form
Agalloch

Some of the many to choose from...

 

[AutumnGust]

1. Iron Maiden - A Matter of Life and Death
2. Firewind - Allegiance
3. Edenbridge - The Grand Design
4. Blind Guardian - A Twist In the Myth
5. Virgin Steele - Visions of Eden

...but the order might change for me with time

 

[DoomsdayZach]

I think Tyr - Ragnarok was a bit of a let down... Liked the first album a lot more, with über songs like The Edge and Eric the Red. None of the tracks on Ragnarok are even close imo.

Anyway, for my list:

1. A.C.T. - Silence
2. Amon Amarth - With Oden On Our Side
3. Agalloch - Against the Grain
4. Kiuas - Reformation
5. Dark Empire - Distant Tides

The list will definitly change by the end of the year.

And biggest let downs of '06 (so far):
Blind Guardian and Tyr.

I would suggest listening to it more. Might not be as great as eric the red, but that's saying a lot since eric the red was basically as close to perfection (imo) as you can get. Give Ragnarok a few more spins. It grows on you like dick warts, but way better for your health.

 

[The Stormbringer]

1. Blind Guardian - A Twist In The Myth

Haven't had the urge to listen to an album that much since... um... the previous Blind Guardian album.

 

[Danilo]

Vanden Plas - Christ.0
Andromeda - Chimera
Zero Hour - Specs Of Pictures Burnt Beyond

 

[Burnout]

So far, I think my top five for the year would look something like the following:

1. Agalloch - Ashes Against the Grain
2. Communic - Waves of Visual Decay
3. Mercenary - The Hours That Remain
4./5. Into Eternity - The Scattering of Ashes and Manticora - The Black Circus Part 1 - Letters

I haven't heard the new Tyr album yet, but I'm sure it will land somewhere in my top ten for the year, if not the top five.

 

[Matt]

Amon Amarth- With Oden on OUr Side
Bal-Sagoth - The Chthonic Chronicles
Rhapsody of Fire- Triumph or Agony
Vader- Impressions in Blood
Mastodon- Blood Mountain
Scar Symmetry- Pitch Black Progress ***
Soilwork - Stabbing the Drama
Kamelot- The Black Halo

 

[Kenneth R.]

1. Scar Symmetry - Pitch Black Progress***
2. Agalloch - Ashes Against The Grain
3. Zero Hour - Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond
4. Amorphis - Eclipse
5. Jon Oliva's Pain - Maniacal Renderings

***Easily.

Honorable mentions:
Summoning - Oath Bound
Novembre - Materia
Paatos - Silence of Another Kind
RHCP - Stadium Arcadium
Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
Katatonia - The Great Cold Distance

 

[Matt]

1. Scar Symmetry - Pitch Black Progress***

ah. Edited.

 

[Anonymous]

Vanden Plas - Christ.0
Andromeda - Chimera
Zero Hour - Specs Of Pictures Burnt Beyond

Dear god, I can't believe I still don't have Christ.0.......

 

[Horus]

You're not alone.

 

[DoomsdayZach]

I don't either and my life is much, much better wihtout it.

 

[theVikingR]

Andromeda - Chimera
Thessera - Fooled Eyes
Mindflow - Mind Over Body
Venturia - The New Kingdom
Wastefall - Self Exile

 

[King Size]

Iron Maiden - A Matter Of Life & Death
The Devin Townsend Band - Synchestra
Strapping Young Lad - The New Black
In Flames - Come Clarity
Mastodon - Blood Mountain

 

[Matt]

I don't either and my life is much, much better wihtout it.

I agree 100%