Best albums

- In Flames - Come Clarity
No, Come Clarity is not one of In Flames' best albums. Yes, I might have been a little bit too optimistic in my 10/10-review. Still, that doesn't take away the fact that Gothenburg's Greatest once again have shattered the competition and presented an exquisite album. Tracks like Take This Life (the song of the year for me) and the title track (the best hard rock-ballad since Metallica's Unforgiven II) will most certainly echo in eternity.

- Iron Maiden - A Matter Of Life And Death
They were outnumbered by almost everyone, but they managed to get up at 9. On A Matter Of Life And Death the guys have reincarnated the sound from the 80's that made them so beloved and crafted an album that must be considered their best since 7th Son Of A 7th Son. Someone better cancel their reservations at the retirement home that was booked after the lacklustre album Dance Of Death, because Iron Maiden feels more vital than in years.

- The Haunted - The Dead Eye
Isn't it nice when a band you thought you knew like your own pocket manage to turn all your prejudices upside down and manage to walk away victorious? The Dead Eye is a truly mind-boggling journey which doesn't contain a single dead second and continues to grow with each new spin. Definitely my best pal this fall.

- Enter The Hunt - For Life. Til' Death. To Hell. With Love.
One, Setting Sun, Alone, Yours Truly... the list of great songs that these guys present on their debut could go on and on, and is almost as long as the one I sent to Santa Clause this year. The mixture of gloomy melodies, truly original drum patterns and Krister Linder's distinctive voice has created something out of this world. If I only could choose one band to see live next year, I would pick Enter The Hunt.

- Machinae Supremacy - Redeemer
A memo to all the festival arrangers out there: want to stay one step ahead of the rest of the pack and get your hands on the up and coming-band that all the kids from the Internet-generation are talking about? On their second album Redeemer, Machinae Supremacy has brought together the best parts from two different worlds and forged it into something of their own. Believe the hype - book this band.

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Runner ups: Khoma - The Second Wave, Trivium - The Crusade, Disarmonia Mundi - Mind Tricks, Amorphis - Eclipse, Lordi - The Arockalypse
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Biggest disappointments

- Lacuna Coil - Karmacode
I admit it; I was far too generous towards Lacuna Coil in my review of Karmacode. This album is the year's biggest disappointment and an example of a band who currently seem to have run out of all good ideas. Where did all the creativity that characterized albums like Unleashed Memories disappear to?

Happiest/biggest news

- Lordi winning the Eurovision Song Contest
The true underdog-story about the five monsters on the decline that took a chance and ended up winning the whole damn Eurovision Song Contest is already as much a classic as Rocky Balboa's. Has anyone secured the movie rights? On a serious note: something that seems to have been forgotten in all the hysteria is that the success is hardly unmerited - their album The Arockalypse is one of the year's best.

Best live concerts

- Depeche Mode x 2
Sorry, all metal-heads. When it comes to live concerts; no heavy guitar-riff in the world could top the synth-rockers from Basildon when they first conquered the boiling arena of Globen and then also the stadium of Stockholm Stadion. To finally get to hear personal favourites like Stripped, Photographic and Everything Counts was almost overwhelming… I just can't get enough!

- PLAY! - A Videogame Symphony @ Konserthuset, Stockholm
Sorry, all metal-heads - again! When The Royal Philharmonics gathered inside Konserthuset in Stockholm together with thousands of enthusiastic videogame-fans to perform beloved childhood-favourites from classics like Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger and The Legend Of Zelda - magic was definitely in the air.

- In Flames x 3
Be it a packed concert hall (Arenan), an outdoor festival-show (Hultsfred) or a spacious arena (Hovet) - In Flames always delivers and never disappoints. Next summer they will show up in Sweden once more for a special treat - can we please have Stand Ablaze, Free Fall, Swim, Dead End, Jotun and Ordinary Story in the set list by then?

- Soilwork @ Teaterladan, Hultsfred
Sure, In Flames' show was the most bombastic at this year's Hultsfred Festival - but Soilwork's gig was clearly the most intense. The band made their first eagerly awaited appearance at the festival and answered the ecstatic crowd by making songs like Bastard Chain, Rejection Role and As We Speak sounding better than ever. The sweatiest 45 minutes of my life.

- The Haunted @ Debaser Medis, Stockholm
Too bad that there weren't any encores (where was D.O.A.?) but up until then, The Haunted had managed to convince me in a whole other way than before. The sophisticated album The Dead Eye brings a whole new dimension into their set list and the front man Peter Dolving seems more inspired than ever. How about making a live-DVD next year?