Old Man Metal's Top Progressive/Metal albums of 2006
Dec 30 '06
The Bottom Line Maybe I missed something. I thought 2006 was a lousy year for Progressive and Metal music. In 2005 I touted twenty-five albums. This year I could only fine twelve.
Old Man Metal’s Best Progressive/Metal of 2006
I wanted to put this compendium in The Best Heavy Metal of 2006 category but alas, Epinions is stuck in 2002. Well, time moves on, and the end of 2006 draws near. Truth be told, for the new Prog-Rock/Metal music for 2006 was, in my opinion, a lot weaker than 2005, which was a little weaker than 2004. Of course 2004 was a banner year in my opinion There was a lack of blockbuster releases but if you were persistent and dug deep there were some gems to be found.
2006 started slowly with a paucity of solid new releases until the second half of the year when the pace picked up and several wonderful recordings appeared. Some of these are so new, you may not yet be aware of them.
TOP ALBUMS OF 2005
1] DREAMQUEST - Lost Horizon
Truly an awesome Prog Rock/Metal album for fans of Within Temptation, Therion and Nightwish. Rhapsody's composer and guitar player, Luca Turilli takes up keyboards for his new creation. See my review: http://www.epinions.com/content_260452748932
2] MUSE - Black Holes and Revelations
Follow-up to the popular Absolution album. Until I heard Lost Horizon's I thought this was the best new release album I'd heard this year. No matter what type of pop, rock, metal, alternative music you like - buy it! For fans of Radiohead, My Morning Jacket and ColdplaySee my review: http://www.epinions.com/content_241891315332
3] SONATA ARCTICA - For the Sake of Revenge [LIVE]
One of the better live albums to come out recently. Two discs too, totaling 34 tracks. A good deal! If you like good power metal and don't mind live, this would be a worthy addition. For fans of Dreamtale, Heavenly, Rhapsody, Kamelot and Thy Majestie
4] LUCA TURILLI - Infinite Wonders of Creation
I suppose, whether you like this album or not depends upon your expectations because there certainly isn't anything wrong with the composition, performance or arrangements. They are all spectacular, so if you're into the music of bands like Therion, Epica, Within Temptation or Nightwish. etc.
5] LACUNA COIL - Karmacode, Karmacode
Is a most excellent followup to their excellent Comalies, which followed their excellent Unleashed Memories, which followed their excellent...Well you get the picture. For fans of Evanescence. See my review: http://www.epinions.com/content_225245564548
6] QUEENSRYCHE - Operation Mindcrime II
For those that don't appreciate the long-awaited follow-up to Operation Mindcrime, I say too bad. It's your loss. No it's not as good as the original - what is? It’s pretty damned good though and their best album since Empire and maybe better than that. May take multiple listens to appreciate and make sure you're familiar with the first Mindcrime. See my review: http://www.epinions.com/content_231010045572
7] LUNATICA - The Edge of Infinity
Lunatica was one of several sleepers I picked up last year. Naturally I had to pick up this years offering - The Edge of Infinity and it did not disappoint. Lunatica is a new Swiss band, playing femme Symphonic Metal. With this offering I got more of a grandiose Epica feeling on several songs. Suitable for fans of Nightwish, Within Temptation, Visions of Atlantis and of course Epica.
8] BLIND GUARDIAN - A Twist in the Myth
Not bad, but not up to their standards One great song – Otherland, which isn't close to their magnum opus, And Then There Was Silence, but what is? A couple of other very good songs, Fly and The New Order but after those there's nothing special. Previous albums were as good or better than this one. Diehard Blind Guardian fans should love it though.
9] EDGUY - Rocket Ride
Edguy's latest album is a wild Rocket Ride to a heavy metal utopia. I don't think it has quite the same kick that 2004's Hellfire Club did, but it's still a solid album. For fans of Van Halen, Guns and Roses etc.
10] HEAVENLY - Virus
Melodic Power Metal, Volume Four. For fans of Kamelot, Dark Moor, Sonata Arctica, Freedom Call, Dreamtale, etc.
11] RHAPSODY OF FIRE - Triumph or Agony
No you’re not seeing things. It is Rhapsody in all their bellicosity and you know what? It sounds pretty good. Not sure of the reason for the name change but it seems to have made them less hyper and more melodious, if that's possible. Not unlike Luc Turilli’s two new releases sans the female vocalists. For fans of Therion, Dreamquest, Epica.
12] DEADSOUL TRIBE – The Dead World
It’s gotten to where Deadsoul Tribe sounds more like Tool to me than Tool. Well at least somebody sounds like Tool. For fans of Tool, Nine Inch Nails, Filter and Type O negative.
MAJOR AND MINOR DISAPPOINTMENTS OF 2005
1] EVERGREY - Monday Morning Apocalypse
I have reviewed ea of their previous five albums and this is by far thr weakest one. This is just not up to the standards set on great albums like Inner Circle and In Search of Truth. I must have listened to this thing twenty times and nothing and I mean nothing caught my attention. I used to brag how Evergrey has never made a bad album. Well, they have now!
2] TOOL - 10,000 Days
To be sure there is some interesting music here, but there’s also a lot of boring post rock style filler. We may never see the Tool of Aenemia again.
3] SAMAEL - Era One
It seems like when a record company is about to release a stinker they give you two discs for the price of one, as if that makes up for selling junk. Out of nineteen songs on two discs, three or four good songs. Do they think they’re an American band?
4] ARCTURUS - Sideshow Symphonies
Doesn’t cut it when compared to Sham Mirrors.
5] DREAM THEATER – Octavarium
I tried and tried and tried to get into this one without success. Sorry, it’s just not that good!
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