In terms of production this is the best Rhapsody album yet. In terms of the actual songs it is very close to my favorite, Symphony of Enchanted Lands part I. A few bad calls keeps the album from being a complete victory. Still, Symphonic Metal does not come any better than this.
4. Wuthering Heights - For The Madding Crowd
Is there such a thing as Hobbit Metal? Well, Wuthering Heights creates highly enjoyable music with wonderful melodies and this is an album not to be missed.
5. Pain Of Salvation - BE
The most experimental album from Pain of Salvation yet. That says a lot and this is surely an album that grows with time. You won't find anything like this anywhere else.
6. Nightwish - Once
Tuomas Holopainen has composed another great selection of songs. The guitars made this the hardest Nightwish album yet, and also one of the best. Right up there with Oceanborn and Century Child.
7. Aina - Days Of Rising Doom
Fantasy Metal done the right way. Another project with several lead singers, including an impressive Michael Kiske. The well done packaging and music managed to capture a good atmosphere and stand apart.
8. Iced Earth - The Glorious Burden
Ripper Owens takes over the vocal duties and shows he is the right guy for Iced Earth. The final trilogy of songs is unforgettable.
9. Jon Oliva´s Pain - ´Tage Mahal
Savatage singer Jon Oliva still has the magic touch. A cool collection of songs.
10. Lake of Tears - Black Brick Road
One of the unique bands of this world were back with an album which confirmed their wonderful strangeness. One for those dark cloudy winter days.
11. Ten - Return to Evermore
A long time favorite luckily returned to their epic Hard Rock style with an album filled with memorable songs.
12. Evergrey - The Inner Circle
Evergrey took on a religous theme with their usual flair for creating a distinct dark atmosphere.
13. Threshold - Subsurface
Subsurface continued the high quality Prog Metal Threshold is known for.
14. Chris Caffery - Faces
Excellent debut from Savatage guitarist Chris Caffery. It is heavy metal that hits you hard and fast. "Pisses me of" has my vote for funniest song of the year.
15. Edguy - Hellfire Club
One of Germany's finest Power Metal bands created one of their best albums with Hellfire Club.
