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Mike Popke
Best release in 2007 in no particular order.
Neal Morse: Sola Scriptura -- The man's music never ceases to blow my mind; this is his most ambitious effort yet.
Rush: Snakes & Arrows -- Better than anyone could have hoped for, really.
Therion: Gothic Kabbalah -- Despite this album's nebulous themes and elaborate but convoluted arrangements, it is arguably Therion's most accessible record.
Pathosray: Pathosray -- Italian newcomers meld technical finesse, melodic sensibilities and razor's-edge execution into a sound influenced equally by Symphony X and TNT; in a perfect metal universe, this band would be huge.
Symphony X: Paradise Lost -- Almost worth the five-year wait...
Far Corner: Endangered -- A captivating and accessible exploration of modern-music's outer edges; classical chamber music meets improvised avant-prog.
Iced Earth: Framing Armageddon-Something Wicked (Part 1) -- Despite the overlong title, this album picks up where The Glorious Burden left off. And here I thought Tim Owens and John Schaffer had forged the perfect partnership; guess not.
Mob Rules: Ethnolution A.D. -- Smart and majestic German metal that sounds like Queensryche in its prime and Iron Maiden at its most progressive.
Bruce Springsteen: Magic -- The Boss proves some rock stars actually do get better with age; his best overall record since the Eighties.
Pat Dinizio: Pat Dinizio -- I'm a sucker for anything Smithereens-related, and this perfect pop-rock album mesmerizes me.
CDs (Reissues / Live, in no particular order) :
Genesis: 1976-1982 and 1983-1998 -- These handsome box sets chronicle the band's rise and fall in the post-Peter Gabriel era, complete with 5.1 Surround Sound mixes and abundant video footage; can't wait for Rhino to tackle the Gabriel years next.
Rocket Scientists: Looking Backward -- I'm still eagerly anticipating this one, which contains three earlier album gems, newly recorded tracks and performance footage.
Various Artists: The Heavy Metal Box -- Obviously not all-inclusive, but nice to see metal in the mainstream again
The Flower Kings: The Road Back Home -- A non-intimidating, epic-free introduction for newbies and still a neat compilation for the rest of us.
Opeth: The Roundhouse Tapes -- I'm really starting to dig this band, death-metal grunts and all; this live collection offers a fantastic career overview.
Umphrey's McGee: Live at The Murat -- A jam band for music fans who don't like jam bands (and for almost any fun-loving proghead).
The Marshall Tucker Band: Carolina Dreams Tour '77 -- Rare vintage concert captured on two CDs and one DVD featuring the original lineup; all these years later, I just can't get enough of these guys.
U2: The Joshua Tree Limited Edition -- Buy the extravagant version if only for the live DVD filmed back in the day.
Pearl Jam: Live at The Gorge -- Seven CDs worth of reasons why this band has survived when all of its former peers have not.
Bob Dylan: Dylan -- Sure, most of this stuff has all been released many times over, but this three-disc set provides an impressively broad picture for both beginning Dylan-ologists and collectors. (I fall somewhere in the middle.)
DVDs (in no particular order) :
Friday Night Lights: The Complete First Season -- One of the finest television shows ever; believe the hype and tune in to save this ratings-starved drama.
Queensryche: Mindcrime at the Moore -- The much-need revitalization of a vital band.x
Kiss: Kissology -- Collectively, this nine-disc trilogy (plus bonus discs) stands as a monumental piece of rock history that even casual fans should consider essential viewing.
The Best of the Johnny Cash TV Show -- Of all the archival Johnny Cash material released following his 2003 death, this two-DVD collection of footage from Cash's seminal television show ranks among the most significant.
Saturday Night Live: The Complete Second Season -- Worth the price for the musical performances alone. George Harrison? Frank Zappa? The Kinks? Oh, yeah.
ProgressoR
De 20 beste skivene fra 2007 basert på ProgressoR sine vurderinger. Vi må jo villig innrømme at her er mye snadder som vi med glede er med på å hylle, og som de som vil utvide sitt musikalske univers med fordel kan ta en nærmere lytt på.
1. Fromuz – ” Audio Diplomacy”.
2. Rational Diet – ” Rational Diet”.
3. Soft Machine – ”Legacy Stream”.
4. Canvas Solaris – ” Cortical Tectonics”.
5. Taylor`s Univers – ” Terra Nova”.
6. Oaksenham – “ Conquest Of Paradise”.
7. KBB – “ Proof Of Conception”.
8. Yungen – “ Labitinto D`Aqua”.
9. Interpose _ “ Indifferent”.
10. Far Corner – “Endagered”.
11. Wyatt & Whitaker – “Pedal Giants Animals”.
12. Seamus – “ Zelatry Sterbuchen Schizphrenia”.
13. Hugh Hopper – “ Numero D`Voll”.
14. Salle Gaveau – “ Alloy”.
15. Outer Limits – “ Stromatoli”.
16. Side Steps – “ Alive II”.
17. Arti E Mestieri - “ First Live In Japan”.
18. Antonius Rex – “ Switch On Dark”.
19. Simak Dialog – “ Patahan”.
20. Fernandez & Botello – “ Les Paciencia De Job”.
Pete Pardo`s choice
The Top 50 CD’s of 2007
Symphony X-Paradise Lost (hands down the CD I went back to the most this year!)
Epica-The Divine Conspiracy (stunning stuff, opened my eyes to the whole symphonic female fronted prog/power metal genre)
Dimmu Borgir-In Sorte Diabolo (the first half of 2007 had me constantly playing this grandiose & heavy thing)
Down-Down III-Over the Under (heart wrenching, heavy masterpiece)
Between the Buried & Me-Colors (pure genius, a band that keeps getting better)
Nile-Ithyphallic (this is what you call marvelous technical death metal)
Magic Pie-Circus of Life (wonderfully melodic and tasty prog)
Pathosray-Pathosray (THE debut of the year, and a band that could be huge very quickly)
Dream Theater-Systematic Chaos (the prog metal veterans are back on track)
Arch Enemy-March of the Tyrant (heavier than the previous CD, but still so melodic)
Black Bonzo-Sounds of the Apocalypse (great 70’s sounds but starting to add in a modern touch)
Amorphis-Silent Waters (melodic, heavy, with a touch of goth, folk, and prog)
Dark Tranquility-Fiction (these veteran Swede’s can seemingly do no wrong)
Wolves in the Throne Room-Two Hunters (progressive US black metal at its best)
KBB-Proof of Concept (jaw dropping Japanese fusion-these guys kill time and time again)
Nightwish-Dark Passion Play (Tarja who? Awesome stuff!)
Beneath the Massacre-Mechanics of Dysfunction (one of the most technical & brutal metal albums of the year!)
Behemoth-The Apostasy (Polish juggernauts return with a very satisfying platter of technical death metal)
Pagan’s Mind-God’s Equation (one of the strongest prog metal albums of the year)
Echoes of Eternity-The Forgotten Goddess (another great debut this year, and a band that could be big in no time)
Riverside-Rapid Eye Movement (Polish prog stalwarts once again produce a winner)
Megadeth-United Abominations (THE comeback of the year, hands down)
Rush-Snakes & Arrows (proving yet again how classic these guys are)
Starcastle-Song of Times (triumphant return of US prog legends!)
Threshold-Dead Reckoning (their strongest album in years)
Marduk-Rom 5:12 (crushing black metal from the punishing Swede’s)
Porcupine Tree-Fear of a Blank Planet (mixes the old and new sounds quite well)
Circus Maximus-Isolate (melodic prog-metal, oh so memorable)
Exodus-The Atrocity Exhibition (thrash legends show they still have plenty left)
Primordial-To the Nameless Dead (late 2007 entry for these Irish pagan/Celtic black metallers is stunning stuff)
Sun Caged-Artemisia (extremely solid Swedish progressive metal)
Immolation-Shadows in the Light (US death metal juggernauts again fire on all cylinders)
Nightingale-White Darkness (Dan Swano & Co. return with a wonderful melodic prog album)
Nahemah-A Second Philosophy (one of the most varied, and certainly progressive, metal albums of the year)
After Forever-After Forever (this latest has gotten me hooked on this band)
Devin Townsend-Ziltoid the Omniscient (more insane stuff from the evil professor)
Glass Hammer-Culture of Ascent (another winner from these US prog veterans)
Cathedral-The Bridge (70’s underground US prog legends return)
Dillinger Escape Plan-Ire Works (getting closer to the mainstream)
Holding Pattern-Breaking the Silence (another US prog legend returns big)
Oblivion Sun-Oblivion Sun (Happy the Man members re-appear and once again deliver stunning prog & fusion)
Blotted Science-The Machinations of Dementia (zany instrumental progressive metal from 3 virtuoso musicians-technical as all hell!)
Melechesh-Emissaries (this one started 2007 off with a bang!)
Thought Chamber-Angular Perceptions (more solid prog metal)
Chthonic-Seediq Bale (Taiwan’s answer to Dimmu Borgir churn out a real winner)
3 Inches of Blood-Fire Up the Blades (80’s thrash meets modern extreme-great stuff!)
November’s Doom-The Novella Reservoir (more progressive, even heavier)
Mayhem-Ordo Ad Chao (strong return from these legendary Norwegian black metal legends)
Machine Head-The Blackening (their best album in years!)
NMP`s beste 20 beste skiver i 2007
Polsk kultradio NMP Noc Muzycznych Pejzazy (The Night of Musical Landscapes) har latt lytterne kåre de 20 beste skivene fra 2007. Radioen sender mellom kl.2.00 og 6.00 natt til lørdager. Lytterne er fra hele verden og radioen finnes her: http://www.polskieradio.pl/trojka/
Programlederen heter Piotr Kosininski og er en fyr som sørger for at prog når massene med alle sine stunts. Kåringen ble for øvrig følgende:
1 Porcupine Tree - Fear Of A Blank Planet
2 Riverside - Rapid Eye Movement
3 Blackfield - Blackfield II
4 Dream Theater - Systematic Chaos
5 Quidam - Alone Together
6 Marillion - Somewhere Else
7 Antimatter - Leaving Eden
8 Pain Of Salvation - Scarsick
9 Rush - Snakes And Arrows
10 Radiohead - In Rainbows11 Satellite - Into The Night
12 Galahad - Empires Never Last
13 Division By Zero - Tyranny Of Therapy
14 Hipgnosis - Still Ummadelling
15 Anekdoten - A Time Of Day
16 SBB - The Rock
17 Fish - Communion
18 Archive - Live At The Zenith
19 Tori Amos - American Doll Posse
20 Genesis - Live Over Europe 2007
Dagsavisens vurdering av de 20 beste albumene 2006
Vi konstaterer at denne lista ikke helt matcher vår mening for å si det pent! Om ikke annet så har også de fått med seg at de fleste artistene som var rimelig hypet i 2006.
1. 120 Days - 120 Days
2. Tom Waits – Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards (3CD)
3. Joanna Newsom – Ys
4. Ghostface Killah – Fishscale
5. Bob Dylan - Modern Times
6. The Knife – Silent Shout
7. Mastodon – Blood Mountain
8. Artic Monkey – Whatever People Say I Am….
9. Spank Rock - YoYoYoYoYo
10. Justin Timberlake – Future Sex / Love Sounds
11. Clipse – Hell Hath No Fury
12. Amy Winehouse – Back To Black
13. Bruce Springsteen – We Shall Overcome
14. Marit Larsen – Under The Surface
15. Wolfmother – Wolfmother
16. Kristin Asbjørnsen – Wayfaring Stranger – A Spiritual Sonbook
17. Lilly Allen – Allright Still
18. The Raconteurs – Broken Boy Soldier
19. TV On The Radio – Return To Cookie Mountain
20. Rockettothesky – To Sing You Apple Trees
Elias Granillo's Best of 2006
Best Of 2006 (in some kind of order):
» Kenso – Utsuroi Yuku Mono ...another mindblowing album from the kings of Japanese fusion. Everybody should know 'em by now.
» Sur Oculto – Estados …along with DPI, the left-fielder of the year! This keyboard trio from Argentina hadn't released a CD since their debut five years ago. This is no ELP knock-off; Sur Oculto gets down 'n' dirty and takes their cues from symph, avant-prog & fusion (Magma/Corea), and the drummer's a nut. Due to arriving so late in the northern hemisphere, this album may take a while to catch on, but rest assured dis is da bomb.
» Zombi – Surface To Air ...Steve Moore & A.E. Paterra are the coolest American duo operating today. Grandiose synthesizer sounds meld with power drumming and funky bassing and the Goblin boys better be proud.
» DPI – Found Objects ...D stands for [keyboardist Vince] Dicola, P stands for [(Jethro Tull) drummer Doane] Perry, and I stands for [bassist Paul]Ill (as in "you be illin'). Three stellar long-form, kaleidoscopic prog rockin' excursions recorded & produced at Travis Dickerson's studio (where Buckethead records most of his solo stuff). These guys have recorded hours of music — when's the next one?!
» Rick Wakeman – Retro …this man is ageless, timeless. He takes a lickin' and...you get it. With Retro he finally revisited his long-stored analog gear and (gasp!) made MUSIC with it! This is a fantastic CD, one of the highlights of the year for me.
» Bootcut – De Fluff …I think Bootcut's now my favorite band out of Sweden. The duo's sophomore release adds some guests to their B3 organ & tubs broth and comes out swingin' with something more than prog, like "cinematic fusion" or something to that effect. Rikard Sjoblom is at least as competent a B3 organist as John Novello, even if Bootcut prioritizes ingenuity over chops 'n' wailing.
» Naikaku – Shell …#2 by this insane Japanese heavy-fusion band blew up mice in a lab test! (Okay, that wasn't funny.) The coolest output from Japan of this sort (very different from Kenso) since Pochakaite Malko's debut.
» La Maschera di Cera – LuxAde …looks like this is the best "modern retro" symph-prog release of '06! Superb.
» Rikard Sjoblom – Cyklonmannen …Sjoblom's soundtrack to the novel is sweet stuff and not exactly Bootcut Part Deux, either.
» Saga – Trust …open mouth, insert foot. I can't believe it, but these guys are actually on the upswing, and this — hard to believe, but true! — is their single best release overall since 1983's Heads Or Tales! What a great leadoff track.
» Rocket Scientists – Revolution Road …they're baaaaack! Wow, the last RS album was in 1998. Erik Norlander & his Wall Of Doom, Don Schiff and his off-the-hook NS/Stick skillz, and Mark McCrite's ace songwriting return, with some great guest vocal/instrumental power. As much as I love vintage keys and Norlander's keyboard prowess, I think it's safe to say that the Rocket Scientists would not be the same band without Schiff. That guy is something else.
» East Wind Pot – East Wind Pot …super new Japanese fusion group with ex-Theta personnel that would've had this year's title (next to Hiromi—see below) but, well, Kenso put one out! (Hahaha!) EWP definitely has the edge over Side Steps and some of the other Japanese "cookie cutter" fusion outfits.
» Hiromi – Spiral …3rd and possibly best CD by the amazing jazz-fusion pianist!
» David Kikoski – Lighter Way ...here's a long-running jazz pianist cooking his wares in more fusiony kiln. Giving Hiromi a run for her money, he composes one fabulous solo instrumental, struts his stuff with his bassist & drummer, and then for six sizzling minutes, turns the heat up with a spitfire monophonic right-hand [analog] lead that takes things into Niacin territory. A "chance purchase," too!
» Audioslave – Revelations …they're never going to match their amazing debut (rock perfection) but this set still cranks with songs like "Sound Of A Gun" and "Moth."
» Cheap Trick – Rockford ...tasty new rock from the Trick! Don't call them a nostalgia act.
» The Mars Volta – Amputechture ...more goodness from the Volta. (I still like De-loused the best. Sue me.)
» Fall Of Echoes– The Red Tree ...swell debut from the Orphan Project/Visual Cliff guys. The follow-up with the expanded line-up will roll over this one.
Honorable Mention:
» TOOL – 10,000 Days ...Wot?! you say? Well, TOOL have recorded some amazing sh*t but for all the hype this album has received, it's a rather uneven platter that doesn't quite stack up against Lateralus ("The Pot" is truly a killer song, though). I think it's time for the Toolheads to mix it up a bit. They've grown too comfortable within their niche.
Top Remasters/Reissues Of 2006 (in alphabetical order):
» Jerry Goodman & Jan Hammer – Like Children …the landmark fusion album, finally on CD. Jan is definitely a contender for the Best Keyboardist of the '70s title. This is so essential it t'ain't funny!
» Jan Hammer Group – Oh Yeah? …we waited forever for a new reissue of this. Killer funkified fusion (two tracks with vocals, even...and they're good!).
» Rick Wakeman – 1984 …hot-sounding remaster of Rick's best '80s album!
» Santana – Santana III {Legacy Edition} …the best studio album from pre-Caravanserai Santana in a new 2CD remaster with superior packaging and a 2nd bonus live disc! Need I say more?
» Rick Wakeman – Out There …okay, this did come out in '03, but the new issue with the blue cover is cooler. (-;
Top DVDs of 2006 (quality vs. quantity!):
» Rainbow – Live In Munich '77 …like Jacoby & Meyers — it's about time!
» Erik Norlander & Friends – Live In St. Petersburg …slick DVD/CD set with Erik in "power keyboard trio" mode on several tracks! And loads of other neato stuff.
» Thin Lizzy – Greatest Hits …finally, a semi-comprehensive collection of Lizzy's promos. Bitchin'!
» Rush – Replay x3 …all three of Rush's 1980s concert videos on DVD in a box at a very fan-friendly price, PLUS a bonus audio CD of Grace Under Pressure Tour! To deem this essential is to overstate the obvious.
» Bruford – Rock Goes To College ...savor the flavor! Probably the only official video doc we'll ever get of Bill's legendary fusion group. Cha cha!
» Stream Of Passion – Live In The Real World …great power metal with hot babes! Seriously, it's good music. Seriously, there are some babes in this band!!
Ken Pierce's Best Of 2006
The Top 50 CD’s of 2006
Mercenary - The Hours That Remain. A great followup to 11 dreams. This is a band that is taking chances in Metal.
Mastodon - Blood Mountain: Jazz Fusion Metal? I dunno, but the new Mastodon sure kicks your ass around the block.
Amorphis - Eclipse…Finland boys return and do more good. Lots of feels on this one.
Scar Symmetry - Pitch Black Effects…Raging guitar solos, soaring clean vocals, brutal death metal growls-brilliant!
Lamb of God - Sacrament…Their best yet. Future legends. The first four songs are instant classics and if you don’t find your fist in the air for this release you don’t have one. Go watch American Idol
Iron Maiden - A Matter of Life and Death: Up the Irons, pure and simple. Some bad press from some people who don’t see the return to form. They are idiots.
I – Between Two Worlds: Great project from members of Immortal, Enslaved, and Gorgoroth.
Enslaved – RUUN: The black metal titans get even more progressive and this is an incredible listen from start to finish
Satyricon - Now, Diabolical: More Metal needs to be like this.
Vanden Plas - Christ O …Stunning operatic progressive metal. Their best yet! Especially the bonus track
Into Eternity - The Scattering of Ashes...Super complex prog-metal.
Cradle of Filth-Thornography…The always controversial UK demons release their most traditional metal & gothic album yet.
Dragonforce-Inhuman Rampage…Insanely wicked UK power metal with the sickest guitar & keyboard shredding around!
unexpecT- In a Flesh Acquarium: You will listen to this three times and still be lost. It is that good and that diverse. Siriak for Prime Minister of Montreal
In Flames-Come Clarity…Legends of Gothenberg’s melodic death metal scene return to form!
Ihsahn-The Adversary…Emperor front man’s first solo album is a winner of progressive & black metal styles.
Deicide - Stench of Redemption…Florida death metal legends best album ever! I can say this proudly as someone who only casually followed them
Blind Guardian-A Twist in the Myth…The most accessible album yet from these power metal leaders.
Decapitated-Organic Hallucinosis…Poland’s mighty technical death metal lads return with their best yet.
Agalloch-Ashes Against the Grain…Avant-garde black metal with plenty of prog & ambient elements.
Trivium - The Crusade…Their homage to 80’s Metallica. Killer riffs!
Jon Oliva’s Pain-Maniacal Renderings…Fans of 80’s Savatage should love this!
Amon Amarth - With Odin By our Side: Ever felt like a Viking warrior on a quest, this is your soundtrack.
Callenish Circle - Pitch Black Effects: Soilwork meets Mercenary meets Scar Symmetry, excellent stuff
Green Carnation - The Acoustic Verses: A band that never disappoints and yet still needs a larger US audience, hey peoples ARE YOU LISTENING.
Korpiklaani - Tales Along This Road: Folk Metal’s finest purveyor.
Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime II: No MC1, but it should not have been. This takes a couple of listens and is a powerful revisit when you finally get it.
Dissection – Reinkaos: The last recording. Nodveidt RIP.
Evergrey - Monday Morning Apocalypse: This grew on me.
Rebel Meets Rebel - Rebel Meets Rebel: Southern Fried Metal featuring Dimebag and Company. A sad reminder of why we miss him so much.
Cheap Trick – Rockford: Cheap Trick return to a style they excelled at and this is good and tasty Rock & Roll.
Motorhead - Kiss of Death: Who does what Motorhead does like Motorhead? No one.
Eidolon-The Parallel Otherworld: The Drover Brothers show what else they are capable of.
All that Remains - The Fall of Ideals: An intense effort, bridging the gap of Metalcore with strong Melody. A welcome change.
Gojira - From Mars to Sirius: Good stuff, ala Mastodon only from France
To-Mera – Transcendental: Progressive Melodic Experimental Metal. Julie Kiss rules
Angra - Aurora Consurgens: Angra is a band that never seems to disappoint.
Fairyland - The Fall of an Empire: All hail the heir to the throne of Rhapsody.
Wednesday 13 – Fang Bang – Ever wanted to dance with a dead body in a graveyard with a serial killer? Wow, me too and this is the music to do it by (only kidding, so please any serial killers do not contact me)
Best Live Albums of 2006
Dream Theater – Score: The 20th Anniversary show, wow, has it been that long.
Fish - Return to Childhood: Fish brings to life once again, the Marillion that more people miss than do not.
Children of Bodom - Chaos Ridden Years
Kamelot - One Cold Winters Night
Best DVD’s of 2006
Arch Enemy - Live Apocalypse: Do you love Angela Gossow? If not, I don’t want to be the one to tell one of the most imposing of female singers today. This is a band that has done serious damage since her arrival and shows no signs of stopping.
KISS - KISSology : You wanted the best and you got the best the hottest band in the world
KISS!!!!! Disagree with me? Shut up and get out of my way or wise up and enjoy this incredible archive of video footage from a band that started more trends than you can count..
Rush - Replay X3: 3 classic Rush out of print VHS films in a neato little package with mini-tourbooks, oh snap this was wonderful to see released.
Children Of Bodom – Stockholm Knockout Live: Are you doubtful that COB is one of the more exciting bands of today, then buy this DVD and come talk to me again.
Therion – Celebrators Of Becoming: Behind on your Therion, well this comprehensive and extensive boxed set will surely win you over and get you up to speed.
Stream Of Passion – Live In The Real World: Arjen Lucassens project with the beautiful Marcela Bovio will take you to new musical realms.
Whitesnake - Live in the Still of the Night: Here they go again on their own, and guess what it all still kicks some serious bootie.
Sonata Arctica – For The Sake Of Revenge: One of the best live bands for Metal today. They hold the banner high for the genre.
Black Label Society - The European Invasion: Doom Troopin’ Live: so much better on this DVD than the last one. A tight set of crunching Hard Rock and Metal.
Kamelot - One Cold Winters Night: This is a concert film that will make you a fan for life. Dramatic, energetic, and passionate. Melodic Power Metal at its best.
Iced Earth - Alive in Athens: Jon Schaffer may not have wanted you to buy this, but this is a spot on concert film with the classic lineup of the group and the only way to enjoy a set featuring Barlow. Need I say more.
Best Concerts Of 2006
Gigantour @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ: A concert with Megadeth, Opeth, Overkill, Into Eternity, Arch Enemy, and Lamb Of God? Of course this was a blast of a time. How could it not be.
Kamelot/Epica – B.B. King Blues Club, NY: Two of my new favorites on one tour package, yes indeed the Power Melodic was in force here.
Emperor @ B.B. King Blues Club, NY: The return of Isahn and company and while down an original member who could not gain US access, this was an incredible show. Never saw the venue more crowded before.
Dream Theater @ Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY: 20 years of Dream Theater – Who’s coming along for the next 20?
Uli John Roth @ B.B. King Blues Club, New York, NY: This is a man who inspired many and is still considered a mystery to many. Thank God he performed in NYC and for a packed house. He deserved it, and we hope for his return.
Celtic Frost @ B.B. King Blues Club, New York, NY: Influential Metallists and while I was not an original fan back when, I could not miss their NYC appearance.
In Flames @ Webster Hall, New York, NY: This was a great time, and Trivium made it all the more enjoyable as well.
The Amazing Journey @ B.B. King Blues Club, NY: Wow, the music of the Who performed by Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan, Paul Gilbert and Gary Cherone. Need I say more? I didn’t think so.
Carl Palmer Band @ B.B. King Blues Club, New York, NY : One of the greatest drummers alive in a comfortable club playing renditions of music he created with a 16 year old version of Alan Holdsworth, oh yeah buddy.
Morbid Angel/Behemoth @ B.B. King Blues Club, New York, NY: This was a show that was so heavy your fillings would rumble and that was if you survived the giant most pit the floor became. This was Metal all the way. Intense, brutal and uncompromising.
Poison with Cinderella @ PNC Bank Arts Center: I was looking for Nothing But A Good Time and boy did I have it in spades.
Kerry Leimer's Best Of 2006
CDs (Alphabetical Order)
Leo Abrahams: Scene Memory – A much more musical sort of experiment
Gavin Bryars: On Photography – A modern master
Clogs: Lantern – Melodic and beautiful without ever being pretty
Robert Henke: Layering Buddha – One of the few who is originating music in wholly new ways
Henry Cow: Box – BIttern storm over remixes
Joseph Holbrooke Trio: The Moat Recordings – A definitive tutorial on improvisation
The Necks: Chemist – Transplendent!
Sparks: Hello Young Lovers – Theme on theme on theme and variable and varied variation
John Tavener: The Veil of the Temple – Chant of the long now
Chris Whitley: Reiter In – A disarmingly diverse farewell
Univers Zero: Live — A long time coming
Zaar: Zaar – RIO lives, sadly the guitarist no longer does...
FILMS / TELEVISION
Caché – Most sane look yet at the notion of terror
Children of Men – Perhaps it's the culture of fear that's sterile
Deadwood – Remarkable language, acting and ideas about corruption
The King – Flawed but earnest deconstruction of the "family"
Little Children – Owes much to Todd Solondz' Happiness
The Piano Teacher — I know it's from '02, but finally saw it in '06
Reds – Finally available on DVD
BOOKS: FICTION
Martin Amis: House of Meetings – Inner and outer gulags
John Banville: The Sea – Dislocation from the self
J. M. Coetzee: Slow Man – Yet another sort of dislocation from the self
BOOKS: NONFICTION
Richard Dawkins: The God Delusion – No kidding?
Sam Harris: Letter to a Christian Nation – A handbook for the reality-based community
Bob Woodward: State of Denial – No kidding!
Aftenpostens beste skiver i 2006
1. Wolfmother –Wolfmother
2. 120 Days -120 Days
3. Johnny Cash – A Hundred Highways
4. Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That`s What I`m Not
5. Bob Dylan – Modern Times
6. Minor Majority – Reasons To Hang Around
7. Tom Waits – Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards (3Cd)
8. Berth Jansch – The Black Swan
9. The Flaming Lips – At War With The Mystics
10. Ron Sexsmith – Time Being
11. Marit Larsen – Under The Surface
12. The Knife –Silent Shout
13. Morissey – Ringleaders Of The Tormentors
14. Mastadoon – Blood Mountain
15. Amy Winehouse – Back To Black
16. James Yorkston And The Athletes – The Year Of The Leopard
17. Circulus – Clocks Are Like People
18. Lindsay Buckingham – Under The Skin
19. Strountes - Strountes
20. The Raconteurs – Broken Soldier
Musikkmagasinet Rolling Stones har kåret de beste albumene fra 2006. Vi kan ikke si at vi er spesielt enig, men underholdene lesning er det utvilsomt! De tre som er beæret med bilder er nok våre tre favoritter i dette sortimentet.
1. Bob Dylan - Modern Times
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Stadium Arcadium – Dobbel CD
3. Sonic Youth – Rather Ripped
4. TV On The Radio – Return To Cookie Mountain
5. Ghostface Killah – Fischcale
6. Cat Power – The Greatest
7. Clipse – Hell Hath No Fury
8. The Hold Steady – Boys And Girls In America
9. Mastdoon – Blood Mountain
10. Tom Waits – Orphans
11. Pearl Jam – Pearl Jam
12. John Mayer – Concertium
13. New York Dolls – One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This
14. Johnny Cash – Amerivan V: A Hundred Highways
15. Wolfmother – Wolfmother
16. Lupe Fiasco – Food & Licquor
17. Artic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That`s What I`m Not
18. The Roots – Game Theory
19. Dixie Chicks – Taking The Long Way
20. My Chemical Brothers – The Black Parade
Pete Pardo’s Best of 2006
The Top 50 CD’s of 2006
1) Mercenary-the Hours that Remain…the years most powerful release, a melodic mix of power, progressive, & death metal, and contains one of the best songs of 2006, “Lost Reality”
2) Zero Hour-Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond…a VERY close second. The most complex album I’ve heard in years.
3) Mastodon-Blood Mountain… As good, if not better, than Leviathan.
4) Amorphis-Eclipse…The lads from Finland pull another classic from their sleeves.
5) Scar Symmetry-Pitch Black Effects…Raging guitar solos, soaring clean vocals, brutal death metal growls-brilliant!
6) Lamb of God-Sacrament…Their best yet. Future legends. The first four songs are instant classics!
7) Communic-Waves of Visual Decay…Melodic, crushing mix of power & progressive metal. Future stars.
8) Iron Maiden-A Matter of Life and Death…Forget the negative press, Maiden are back with their most epic album yet.
9) I –Between two Worlds…Great project from members of Immortal, Enslaved, and Gorgoroth.
10) Enslaved-RUUN…The black metal titans get even more progressive!
11) Satyricon-Now, Diabolical…Grooviest black metal anthems around.
12) Celtic Frost-Monotheist…Legends of avant-garde metal return!
13) Vanden Plas-Christ O …Stunning operatic progressive metal. Their best yet!
14) Saga –Trust …Return to classic early 80’s sounds from Canadian prog/pop legends.
15) Into Eternity-The Scattering of Ashes...Super complex prog-metal.
16) Spock’s Beard-Spock’s Beard…Their best release from the post-Morse era.
17) Cradle of Filth-Thornography…The always controversial UK demons release their most traditional metal & gothic album yet.
18) Dragonforce-Inhuman Rampage…Insanely wicked UK power metal with the sickest guitar & keyboard shredding around!
19) unexpecT- In a Flesh Acquarium…Call it what you will, this is wild, complex avant-garde progressive metal.
20) In Flames-Come Clarity…Legends of Gothenberg’s melodic death metal scene return to form!
21) Ihsahn-The Adversary…Emperor front man’s first solo album is a winner of progressive & black metal styles.
22) Cryptic Vision-In a World…Very solid US progressive metal. These guys keep getting better.
23) Vader-Impressions in Blood…Polish death metal doesn’t get much better than this.
24) Deicide-Stench of Redemption…Florida death metal legends best album ever!
25) Devin Townsend Band-Synchestra…More wild progressive rock from Townsend’s solo band.
26) Blind Guardian-A Twist in the Myth…The most accessible album yet from these power metal leaders.
27) Voivod-Katorz…We miss ya Piggy!
28) Seventh Wonder-Waiting in the Wings…Brilliant European progressive metal.
29) Nebelnest-Zepto…The kings of modern, dark prog rock are back!
30) My Dying Bride-A Line of Deathless Kings…One of the classic doom/goth bands around.
31) Twisted Into Form-There Comes Affliction to Awaken the Dreamer…Great new technical metal from this supergroup.
32) The Tangent-A Place In the Queue…Great Canterbury styled prog rock!
33) Katatonia-The Great Cold Distance…Atmospheric gothic doom from Swedish veterans.
34) Advent-Cantus Firmus…Brilliant Gentle Giant influenced 70’s style prog rock.
35) Andromeda-Chimera…One of the best progressive metal bands around.
36) Decapitated-Organic Hallucinosis…Poland’s mighty technical death metal lads return with their best yet.
37) Bal-Sagoth: The Chthonic Chronicles…More Sci-Fi drenched symphonic black metal from these British upstarts
38) Spaced Out-Unstable Matter…Killer instrumental fusion from Canada!
39) Karcius-Kaliedoscope…More killer instrumental fusion from Canada!
40) Agalloch-Ashes Against the Grain…Avant-garde black metal with plenty of prog & ambient elements.
41) Rocket Scientists-Revolution Road…Symphonic prog & hard rock-great songs!
42) Borknagar-Origin…Black Metal veterans go acoustic!
43) Wyatt-Whitaker-Pedal Giant Animals…Happy the Man founders excellent side project!
44) Akercocke-Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone…Satanic death/black metal band goes progressive!
45) Rick Wakeman-Retro…The keyboard legend returns with an analog feast!
46) Manning-Anser’s Tree…The prolific Guy Manning churns out another symphonic, folky, proggy gem!
47) Proto-Kaw-The Wait of Glory…Kerry Livgren & Co. unleash another great mix of prog & catchy hard rock.
48) Insomnium-Above the Weeping World…Wonderful melodic death metal. Future stars?
49) Jon Oliva’s Pain-Maniacal Renderings…Fans of 80’s Savatage should love this!
50) Unearth-III: In the Eyes of Fire …Third times a charm-great thrash guitars!
Best Live Albums of 2006
1) Univ