| 2006 |
| 1 |  | Iron Maiden
A Matter of Life and Death
One of their best albums in my opinion - especially in the "reunion" era. It's their most progressive album yet with long, compelling, emotionally powerful songs. While many are displeased with the production here (the album is not mastered in order to give it a raw, stripped down feel closer to what actual live shows sound like), I actually think it supports the album's overall grey, gloomy, dramatic atmosphere and its main theme of war, death and despair. The second main theme here of hope, love and humanity is ever-present through the melodies and the touching lyrics. I can clearly vision the band recording this album with a hopeful, prideful smile on their face. God I love this album. |
| 2 |  | Lamb of God
Sacrament
Great, consistent album. Classic Lamb of God goodness. |
| 3 |  | Kalmah
The Black Waltz
It's okay I guess. |
| 4 |  | Slayer
Christ Illusion
A solid modern Slayer album. I like the style overall, sadly it is not that memorable. |
| 5 |  | Cult of Luna
Somewhere Along the Highway
What an incredible experience. Each song feels like a chapter in a life-changing journey. This album mixes post-rock with metal to a perfect balance. |
| 6 |  | Trivium
The Crusade
A cool modern take on classic Metallica, Judas Priest, and other such classic. It's not an awfully original album, but the band doesn't seem to care that much and to be honest, I don't really either. It's just an overall a pretty cool, fun and heavy modern heavy metal album - nothing to write home about but also nothing to hate. |
| 7 |  | Mastodon
Blood Mountain
Great album, love it. It's quite experimental and is not the most memorable, but it's heavy and it's fun and it's atmospheric and I like it overall. |
| 8 |  | Insomnium
Above the Weeping World
This is a younger, rawer version of Insomnium, but it's still 100% Insomnium. You can definitely feel how this album was essential for them to develop their unqiue sound and become the band they are today. Incredible album. |
| 9 |  | Amorphis
Eclipse
One of 2006's best. Fantastic stuff. |
| 10 |  | Amon Amarth
With Oden on Our Side |
| 11 |  | The Sword
Age of Winters |
| 12 |  | Mercenary
The Hours That Remain |
| 13 |  | Sabaton
Attero Dominatus
Great continuation of their debut album in pretty much the same style. This one's not as memorable but it's still VERY solid on its own. |
| 14 |  | Unearth
III: In the Eyes of Fire |
| 15 |  | All That Remains
The Fall of Ideals |
| 16 |  | Edguy
Rocket Ride |
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