Album of 2006 – Preview

We are approaching the end of another wild year in the world of music. And it’s time for the annual Rhys’s Album of the Year awards. Officially, they have been running at the same time as the N-Factor awards, so this will be the third official album of the year I have decided.
It’s been quite interesting to say the least, and at this early stage, I’m going to simply short-list the albums I thought have shown some excellence in the past year. I know the year is not over yet, but, there are very few major album releases left. To be considered, the album must have been of mostly original material, not a re-issue or re-release, and released in the calendar year of 2006. Live albums will generally not count.
So, let’s go…

* Angra – ‘Aurora Consurgens’
* The Automatic – ‘Not Accepted Anywhere’
* Blind Guardian – ‘A Twist in the Myth’
* DragonForce – ‘Inhuman Rampage’
* Edguy – ‘Rocket Ride’
* HammerFall – ‘Threshold’
* Iron Maiden – ‘A Matter of Life and Death’
* Joe Satriani – ‘Super Colossal’
* Jon Oliva’s Pain – ‘Maniacal Renderings’
* Lostprophets – ‘Liberation Transmission’
* Queensrÿche – ‘Operation: Mindcime II’
* Slayer – ‘Christ Illusion’
* Sugarcult – ‘Lights Out’
* Trivium – ‘The Crusade’
* Voïvod – ‘Katorz’

In my next few posts, I will post my own personal review of each of these 15 albums, before narrowing it down to a final five, then a final three, then my final album of 2006.

My previous winners have been…

2004: (1st) Megadeth – ‘The System Has Failed’
2004: (2nd) Velvet Revolver – ‘Contraband’

2005: (1st) Nevermore – ‘This Godless Endeavor’
2005: (2nd) Kamelot – ‘The Black Halo’

So, this year’s winner will join some fairly illustrious company. Worth noting there will be a new winner this year, and that none of the artists above have previously made my short-list in previous years.

Angra – “Aurora Consurgens”
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The third album with vocalist Edu Falaschi, it’s safe to say that after this album, he really has filled the seemingly big boots of the epic Andre Matos. With Shaaman announcing in October their split, Angra really seem to be the elite Brazilian Power Metal band, and are flying the Power Metal flag really high. This is a typical Angra mix of Brazilian influences with some crunching riffs. Particular favourite is “Scream Your Heart Out”, which features a brilliant solo.

The Automatic – “Not Accepted Anywhere”
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Amazing to think that almost two years ago they were playing Rec Gigs with Shamed Angel as “White Rabbit”, now they have become arguably one of the UK’s biggest alternative acts. It’s hardly a mistake. With catchy lyrics and brilliant videos, they deserve their status. I mean, who hasn’t found themselves humming along to “Monster” at some point in the last year?

Blind Guardian – “A Twist in the Myth
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German Power Metal legends Blind Guardian returned in 2006 with a studio album featuring a more stripped down production than their previous efforts, but this didn’t mean the music suffered. “Fly” is one of the best power metal songs I’ve ever heard. The epic-ness of their works cannot be understated, as BG continue to set their Bards alight with performances of the soon-to-be classics from this album.

DragonForce – “Inhuman Rampage”
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This is likely to surprise, but compared to some of the other records that have come out this year, DF’s third album has been a real let-down. It seemed that the endless Herman Li-Sam Totman trying to kill each other with ridiculous solos has got old. There are one or two bright moments in the album, but when arguably the best track was relegated to being a Japanese bonus (“Lost Souls in Endless Time”), you really have to think…why?

Edguy – “Rocket Ride”
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Again, this is an album that in the past few months I’ve begun to see in a different light. After the epic “Hellfire Club”, Edguy’s last effort has strayed too far into the hard rock category. Whilst Edguy are probably best known for their cheesy songs, Tobi Sammet seems to have concentrated on his other works (like the alleged third Avantasia album that’s due in 2007) than this. It has it’s moments, and it isn’t a terrible album by any means, but when compared to earlier works, it seems like a bit of a let down, that’s all.

HammerFall – “Threshold”
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What is it with power metal getting ridiculous this year? The third power metal album in a row here, and I think I’m just repeating myself. After last year’s Chapter V, HammerFall return with “Threshold”. I think HammerFall’s desperate attempts to become another Lordi are showing again with this one. Again, granted, it has it’s moments, but, when compared to earlier works, I don’t think it stands up.

Iron Maiden – “A Matter of Life and Death”
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Having seen this album performed live in it’s entirely just a few days ago, you could call me biased, but honestly, this just screams classic. Maiden’s most consistent album since Seventh Son, without a doubt. The six-piece Maiden really seems to have found their niche with this one, with Bruce’s vocals returning to the strength that they were on Somewhere in Time. Steve Harris contributes some epic bass work, not forgetting notable solos from Adrian Smith, Dave Murray, and gasp, Janick Gers actually plays some good stuff too. Nicko’s drums sound as good as ever too.

Joe Satriani – “Super Colossal”
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Guitar legend Satch releases another collection of instrumental anthems and great racing game music if I do say so. Even if the title track sounds ridiculously like Billy Squier’s “The Stroke”, this is the man who really can make a guitar talk and is one of my all-time favourite axe-men, so, his nomination is more than merited.

Jon Oliva’s Pain – “Maniacal Renderings”
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This album is on my Xmas list, so I haven’t listened to it all yet, but, this is Jon freakin’ Oliva, the only guy who can sing about Rainbows in heavy metal and make it sound interesting! From what I have heard, the album builds on the promise of last year’s “‘Tage Mahal” with some crunching riffs and works reminiscent of the “glory” days of Savatage. Glory in the inverted comas because Savatage never sucked. Quote me on that.

Lostprophets – “Liberation Transmission”
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I’m serious when I call this a dark horse. For a band that seems to epitomise the word “emo”, the Lostprophets actually produced a consistent album that managed to put a smile on my face this year, which is quite something. Again, some catchy hooks play their part, but some seriously good musicianship really shines, even if Ian “my favourite album ever is “Rust in Peace” but I dress like a prick” Watkins’s voice sounds really stretched at times.

Queensrÿche – “Operation: Mindcrime II”
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One of the most highly anticipated albums of the year, OMII builds on the prog-metal opus that was ’88’s Mindcrime with some guest appearances from the legendary Ronnie James Dio. Whilst I think Geoff Tate’s voice has passed it’s peak, there is some good stuff to be found from one of metal’s greatest voices. The album does lack the epic closer that OM’s “Eyes of a Stranger” was, but it serves as a great time piece for the uncertainty of 2006 like OMI speaks about the world in 1988.

Slayer – “Christ Illusion”
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The world of metal seemed to have a collective orgasm when Dave Lombardo was going to be doing the drums on the new Slayer album, but Slayer really peaked with “Seasons in the Abyss” and have struggled ever since. You would have thought that maybe Lombardo might help Slayer out…well, actually he did. It’s Lombardo’s best drumming since he played for Testament in the late-90s. But my biggest problem is probably with Kerry King’s solos and some of the songs in general. Jeff Hanneman is the real guitar God in Slayer, and his work shines best on this album. Overall, it was a minor disappointment, but hopefully they can build on it and a second album with Lombardo would be truely killer.

Sugarcult – “Lights Out”
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Such is my music taste that Sugarcult rank as one of my top 50 artists (check Last.fm), so I was quite looking forward to this album. With “Palm Trees and Power Lines” defining pop-punk to a tee, I really expected good things. What I got was a few good songs and the rest seemed like just filler. Screw sophmore curse, I think the real curse is the third album here! The singles seem to be the best songs here and if you’re looking to get into Sugarcult, get Palm Trees… because it’s a much better and more catchy effort.

Trivium – “The Crusade”
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Remember when everyone (including me) said Trivium would be the new Metallica? Well, Master of Puppets this isn’t, but, admittedly, it seems to flow much better than Ascendancy did. Corey’s screaming vocals have largely gone, with Matt Heafy actually singing most of the words now. Lil’ Paulo also has a much larger role than on Trivium’s previous effort and I fully expect a new Trivium album in 2007 to really kick some ass. The Crusade meanwhile was an above average effort from the Florida metallers.

Voïvod – ‘Katorz’
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This was Voïvod’s first release since the passing of influencial guitarist Denis “Piggy” D’Amour, and his passing will have little effect on the work-rate of the Canadian metallers. Consistant as it is bright, Piggy will definitely be missed and this album serves as a fitting tribute and Denis “Snake” Bélanger continues with the great vocal work since his return to the band in 2003, when Jason Newsted joined them.


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