Best albums

1. Behemoth - Evangelion
The Polish death machine have honed their songwriting to such extreme levels on "Evangelion" that I'm left stupefied by what this band is able to churn out. From the first to the last song this band treats the listener to a real fiesta of quality metal.

2. Mastodon - Crack The Skye
A quintessential album from a band that's a sheer force, creating a vortex of creativity with every album. "Crack The Skye" is best enjoyed from start to finish - on repeat.

3. Impious - Death Domination
Pure power, pure death, pure quality from the Swedes returning to old form, "Death Domination" raced like a bullet on to my best of 2009 list on its release in November. Good song executed by good musicians goes a really long way and this record easily belongs in the top of last year's releases.

4. Converge - Axe To Fall
The album that makes me want to create a one man moshpit each time I listen to it. Enough said.

5. Decadence - Chargepoint
A really strong album from one of the most interesting bands in Sweden - no weak songs, and to top it off, Kitty Saric on the top of her game.

Runner-ups: The Red Chord - Fed Through The Teeth Machine, Cattle Decapitation - The Harvest Floor, Tribulation - The Horror, Scar Symmetry - Dark Matter Dimensions, Amorphis - Skyforger

Best live concerts

1. Opeth, KulturBolaget, Malmö 18/2
The highlight of 2009 came early. No support acts, just 2 hours from one of the most extraordinary bands on the planet. Magical!

2. Metallica, Forum, Copenhagen 27/7
James Hetfield in good shape goes a really long way! The frontman dominates the stage with his presence, and enough songs from the band's old days made this concert one to remember with joy.

3. Twisted Sister, Sweden Rock Festival, 4/6
"Stay Hungry" from start to finish coupled by an inspired performance from the band that I never thought would make it onto a list of mine. Sheer professionalism from a band that still is hungry made me scream out of joy a rather cold night of the festival.

4. Behemoth, KulturBolaget, Malmö 18/11
A demonic stagepresence by Nergal, with a strong selection of songs executed with total exactness made the Poles concert at KB one of the strongest ones of 2009.

5. Soilwork, Sweden Rock Festival, 6/6
Good songs, attitude, and Björn "Speed" Strid - three reasons to why Soilwork shredded the stage on SRF.

Runner-ups: Entombed (KB Malmö 16/10), Scar Symmetry (KB Malmö 18/11), Unleashed (Sweden Rock Festival 5/6), Europe (Sweden Rock Festival 6/6)