Best albums

1. Raubtier - Det Finns Bara Krig
Can a small, rather unknown and (to be honest) not very original band from the darkest North of Sweden make the metal album of the year? Yes, why not? Raubtier are - for natural reasons - compared to Rammstein and actually whipped the Germans asses with this debut, consisting of almost only 'singles'.

2. Powerwolf - Bible Of The Beast
Whenever I have felt a bit tired or down I have put on Resurrection By Erection or any of the other catchy church organ flavoured hits on this classic to be in German metal.

3. Candlemass - Death Magic Doom
Leif Edling and friends show that they are far from finished with their mission to spread doom over the world and Rob Lowe does nothing short of an impressive vocal performance.

4. The Poodles - Clash Of The Elements
Although I have developed a metal heart though the years I'm still very week for hit music. This is a collection of catchy melodies that deserves to actually make it to the top lists.

5. Narnia - Course Of A Generation
New singer German Pascual has added a new dimension to the band and to that they have made their fastest and hardest record to date.

Runner-ups: Crucified Barbara - 'Til Death Do Us Party, Immortal - All Shall Fall, Grave Digger - Ballads Of A Hangman, Clutch - Strange Cousins From the West, Vader - Necropolis

Biggest disappointments

- Running Wild said farewell for good. I can understand if Rock 'n' Rolf has lost the inspiration to write new songs, but I cannot accept the fact that he will not get his ass out there and play some immortal classics every now and then. But at least I took the last chance to see them live at Wacken.

- The trend with playing whole albums live is spreading. First I don't want the surprise to be spoiled by knowing beforehand which songs will be played. Second they all chose the wrong album to play. Third, they always play the hits from that album anyway and the other songs - well, there is a reason they've never been played live before I guess.

- The new Heaven And Hell album sucked and their live performances on Sweden Rock and Wacken were just stiff and dull.

- After five years of waiting, Rammstein served us old rubbish without the true German soul in it.

- All the cancelled or postponed gigs during the fall: Saxon, Dio, Mustasch and Narnia (well they did not cancel, but changed date so that I had to skip the concert).

Best live concerts

1. Amon Amarth (Wacken Open Air)
With their full stage set and the usual amount of Viking energy they made the cold and dark early hour into a hell of a show.

2. Bullet (Sweden Rock Festival)
Their genuine joy and love for their craft is always spreading to the audience, and this evening was perhaps the best I've ever seen with them.

3. Blackfoot (Sweden Rock Festival)
For being really old fellows they rock harder than most youngsters.

4. Europe (Sweden Rock Festival)
Well NOW they are back, rocking like in the old days. What looked mostly awkward in 2004 had now turned into a professional and emotional top performance.

5. Metallica (Forum - Copenhagen)
With the stage in the middle, circling around, you got as close as you will probably ever get these legends. Add to that an always surprising set list and a nice lightning rig, you got the definite package.

Runner-ups: Rammstein (Velodrom, Berlin), AC/DC (Ullevi, Gothenburg and Globen, Stockholm, D-A-D (Wacken Open Air), Running Wild (Wacken Open Air)