As I’ve already noted, it was a very exciting year in the Metal music world and as we draw to the close of 2006 its time to continue with what we felt was the “Best” of the year. In a previous post, I lined out all of the albums that I felt were the most awesome and now its time to line out the videos and concerts that were the same. I’ve also mentioned a few of the letdowns.
The Best Videos Of 2006:
Arch Enemy “Live Apocalypse” (Century Media Records): 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” (VH1 Classic) : 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” (Universal): 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” (Spinefarm Records): 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” (Nuclear Blast Records): 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” (InsideOut Music): Arjen Lucassens project with the beautiful Marcela Bovio will take you to new musical realms. There was a companion CD released for this as well.
Whitesnake “Live in the Still of the Night” (Universal Music): Here they go again on their own, and guess what it all still kicks some serious bootie.
Sonata Arctica “For The Sake Of Revenge” (Nuclear Blast Records): One of the best live bands for Metal today. They hold the banner high for the genre.
Black Label Society “The European Invasion” (Eagle Vision): 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” (SPV Records): 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” (Century Media Records): 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 at 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 at 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 at 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 at Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY: 20 years of Dream Theater – Who’s coming along for the next 20?
Uli John Roth at 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.
The Gathering at Knitting Factory: The Gathering were performing for the first time in years so that was news, but they also had the outstanding opening support of Unexpect, a band to watch out for.
Celtic Frost at 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 at Webster Hall, New York, NY: This was a great time, and Trivium made it all the more enjoyable as well.
The Amazing Journey at 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 at 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 at 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 at PNC Bank Arts Center: I was looking for Nothing But A Good Time and boy did I have it in spades.
Twisted Sister at Starland Ballroom: The first live performance of the Twisted Sister Christmas music and while it sounded weird this was a hoot and a half. Santa Dee rules.
Meat Loaf at the Palace Theater: This man, this loaf performing music from all three of his “Bat Out Of Hell” releases. A night full of hit material with power.
Paul Stanley at Irving Plaza: The one and only Starchild performing his solo material and KISS classics on home turf.
The Let Down’s of 2006:
Iron Maiden at Nassau Coliseum: I love Maiden as much as the next guy but there should have been warning that the entire new CD would be played and then three hits. I tried to be objective on this for review purposes but in the end was still disappointed more than pleased.
Sepultura at Irving Plaza: Now with Igor Cavalera gone and only Andreas Kisser from the original lineup, the band is far different and should move on from the name. This show was okay at best with its highlight being Floor Jansen (from After Forever) in appearance in the crowd.
Saga at B.B. King Blues Club: Let me preface this by saying that the band was tight, but there was so few people in attendance that you had room to do cartwheels. I expected more of the Prog-heads to rally at this one, and was sad that they did not.
If you want to read a little more about the stuff we have mentioned then please search around on the site as they are all there to be absorbed in greater detail. What did you think was the best and worst of 2006? Please let us know in the comments and break it into the fashion we did in this one and our albums listfor easier digestion. Now let’s get ready for 2007.