Top 10: Metal Albums of 2006

The latter half of the ’00s were a transitional period for metal, although the same can be said for the latter half of every decade in metal history thus far. The Ozzfest fueled mania of nu/alt metal was finally starting to wind down, or at least would attempt to reinvent itself in the form of Rockstar Energy drink sponsored shed tours for a few more years. Thrash was picking up steam again, but not to the point of a full blown revival…not just yet. Per usual, through it all remained a dedicated crop of underground maniacs dedicated to carrying on the traditions of the past, as well as a handful of veterans still giving it their all now 25+ years into their career. It’s with this in mind that we present to you our Top 10 Metal Albums of 2006.

10. Sodom – Sodom

The funny thing about Sodom’s self titled album is that in the scope of their catalog, one could argue it isn’t even a top 10 release. Yet in the context of 2006, it kicks off our list in all its violent thrashing glory. Half a decade had passed since the release of the epic M-16 (2001). For their long awaited follow up, the masters of Teutonic thrash decided to strip things down, more or less following in the vein of Code Red (1999). Sodom is exactly 43 minutes of pure aggression, ranging from midtempo mosh anthems (“Buried in the Justice Ground”, “The Enemy Inside”) to unhinged displays of speed (“Wanted Dead”, “Bibles and Guns”). Good luck getting an album this invigorating out of Metallica around this era!

9. Negative Plane – Et in Saecula Saeculorum

Aside from the prog-black innovations of Enslaved and first wave revivalism of bands like Toxic Holocaust and Nocturnal, the ’00s were admittedly not the most exciting decade for black metal. Sure, there are exceptions (Absu’s Tara (2001), Sabbat’s Karmagmassacre (2003)), but those are far and few in between. Then Negative Plane came along. Whereas most black metal purveyors at this stage in the game adhered to the tried and true Norwegian formula, on their debut album, Et in Saecula Saeculorum, Negative Plane conjured a far more terrifying spin on the genre, sounding closer sonically to cult masters Mortuary Drape, Tormentor, and even early Death SS. The hauntingly esoteric atmosphere, coupled with dizzying progressive outbursts and nods to traditional metal at its darkest, makes this an unforgettable listen. Don’t call yourself “kvlt” if you don’t own this one!

8. Witchtrap – No Anesthesia

4 years since blitzing the underground with their Destruction inspired debut, Sorceress Bitch (2002), Witchtrap returned with a vengeance, proving they were more than a one album wonder with their now classic sophomore outing, No Anesthesia. When it comes to leadoff tracks, it doesn’t get much stronger than the anthemic “Heavy Drinker”. The rest of the album is equally as barbaric, guaranteed to lay your stereo to waste with barbaric riffs, cult lyricism, and crude production. Furthermore, the songs are somehow even more memorable on here than its predecessor, and the band plays with a raging vengeance. One listen to this and you’ll be doing the “Metal Army March” in no time.

7. Motörhead – Kiss of Death

Pucker up ya bastard! Upon the release of Motörhead’s 19th studio album, Kiss of Death, Lemmy was 60 years old. In today’s day and age, that isn’t too big of a deal. After all, that’s roughly the average age of the OG ’80s thrashers still going at in 2023. In 2006, however, this was a milestone; a milestone to be celebrated as undignified as possible by the man who embodied rock n’ roll like no other. Just like Inferno (2004) before it, Kiss of Death fires on all cylinders, channeling all the raw filth, speed, and sleaze that put the loudest band in the world on the map 30 years earlier. Put cuts like “Devil I Know” and “Kingdom of the Worm” in between the likes of “Iron Fist” and “Orgasmatron”. I dare you to tell me there’s a drop in quality.

6. Pharaoh – The Longest Night

Despite their Egyptian derived moniker, Pharaoh ruled the US power metal roost in the ’00s, or at least did so alongside Twisted Tower Dire. While their debut album, After the Fire (2003), stood out for its incredible songwriting and heroic musicianship, The Longest Night took these tropes and expanded upon them tenfold. Not only that, but there’s a healthy dose of progressive virtuosity unleashed as well, giving the songs an extra unique touch. Few bands of the past 30 years have been as dedicated to wielding the US steel like Pharaoh did. Together, this quartet created some of the finest power metal ever recorded, with this album being perhaps the finest example of such. Rest in eternal power Tim Aymar!

5. Ares Kingdom – Return to Dust

What do you do after being part of one of the most beloved underground extreme metal acts of your era? Form a new band of equal musical caliber! That’s exactly what guitarist Chuck Keller and drummer Mike Miller did, conjuring Ares Kingdom from the ashes of Order from Chaos. After a decade of sporadic demos and EPs, the band released their debut album, Return to Dust, via the prestigious Nuclear War Now! Productions label. The year was 2006, but this ripper sounded straight out of 1986: A lethal display of death/thrash in the manner of Slayer, Kreator, and Possessed. Similar to fellow old schoolers Deceased, there are flashes of traditionalism as well, with some riffs recalling Maiden and Angel Witch. In other words, leave that cookie cutter cookie monster metal at the door!

4. Pagan Altar – Mythical & Magical

If there were two adjectives to describe Pagan Altar, Mythical & Magical would most certainly apply. It’s no wonder they settled on it as the title of their third full length album. Much like The Lords of Hypocrisy (2004) before it, Mythical & Magical consists almost exclusively of songs written by the band during their initial run. Yet whereas Lords was originally written and recorded between ’82 and ’84, M&M features songs written between ’76 and ’83. Another interesting aspect is that, by and large, the doom and gloom synonymous with these wicked Englishman has been toned down in exchange for compositions that are more progressive and epic, yet equally as compelling as earlier fare. Had this album seen the light of day during its initial ’70s conception, Pagan Altar could’ve given Jethro Tull and Wishbone Ash a run for their money.

3. Iron Maiden – A Matter of Life and Death

Ladies and gentlemen, behold: The album that, for better or worse, set the tone for Maiden’s output of the last nearly 20 years, A Matter of Life and Death. One could safely argue every Maiden release from Piece of Mind (1983) onwards boasted varying degrees of progginess. That said, there’s no doubt AMOLAD was Maiden’s most ambitious outing since Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988). While not a concept album per se, the recurring themes of war and religion in the lyrics give off a strong conceptual vibe. Musically, Maiden are able to tow the line between ambitious adventurism and sonic overkill, making one contemplate how they lost the plot on subsequent releases (i.e. The Final Frontier (2012), Senjutsu (2021)). Perhaps even more ambitious than the album itself was its accompanying arena tour, in which case Maiden played the album in full, followed by a brief greatest hits encore: A gutsy move from a now legacy band.

2. Repugnant – Epitome of Darkness

Before achieving global infamy as the mastermind and masked frontman of arena rock torchbearers Ghost, Tobias Forge was Mary Goore: frontman and guitarist for Swedish death metal demons, Repugnant. Growing up in the heart of the Swedish death metal explosion, it’s no wonder Forge initially wanted to follow this “Left Hand Path”. Matter of fact, some would argue Forge did a better job worshipping late ’80s/early ’90s death/thrash than he has ’70s/’80s hard rock/AOR, myself included. In the same breath, this niche wasn’t gonna pay the bills. At least Repugnant left us with Epitome of Darkness: A deadly tour de force that leaves 99% of today’s OSDM purveyors in the dust. While Ghost continues their ascent up the rock n’ roll ladder, perhaps we can hold out for a Repugnant reunion at MDF ’26.

1. Celtic Frost – Monotheist

16 long years had passed since the name “Celtic Frost” had graced an album cover. It didn’t help that said last album was a pedestrian thrash record (1990’s Vanity / Nemesis), and before that, a failed glam metal experiment (1988’s Cold Lake). On that sour note, the last CF album for many purists was 1987’s Into the Pandemonium. That is until the unholy alliance of Tom G. Warrior and Martin Eric Ain reconvened for a monolith of misanthropically gloomy metal in Monotheist. Here we have an album that so effortlessly combined the ungodly trudge of Morbid Tales (1984) and Emperor’s Return (1985), the blackened majesty of To Mega Therion (1985), and avant-garde spontaneity of Into the Pandemonium, while simultaneously sounding heavier than hell itself. Just as quickly as the Celtic Frost reunion came together, it fell apart. With the untimely passing of Ain in 2017, Monotheist would go down as CF’s swansong. If a band is going to go out, it’s best to do so on top, even if unknowingly. That’s exactly what Celtic Frost did when they released the greatest metal album of 2006, Monotheist.

Honorable Mentions

• Dawnbringer – In Sickness and in Dreams
• Enslaved – Ruun
• Ghoul – Splatterthrash
• Krokus – Hellraiser
• Lamb of God – Sacrament