Best albums

- Tiamat - Amanethes
A lot of us had feared that the 2003-album Prey would be the last ever from Tiamat, but the Swedish goth metal pioneers managed to surprise the world once more after a five year long-hiatus. Amanethes is probably the band's darkest effort yet, and Johan Edlund truly strikes gold in ballads such as Circles and the Pink Floyd-inspired Meliae. The one hour long running-time means that Amanethes isn't quite as tight - or great - as Wildhoney and Skeleton Skeletron, but its beauty is still captivating enough to claim the number one spot.

- In Flames - A Sense Of Purpose
Initially not as impressive as the hit-packed predecessor Come Clarity, but in the long run A Sense If Purpose is the superior album of the two. Kickass-songs like The Mirror's Truth, Move Through Me, Alias and Drenched In Fear is proof enough why In Flames still rule this genre, but it's the contemplating piece The Chosen Pessimist that breaks new ground and impresses the most.

- Machinae Supremacy - Overworld
Sweden's best kept secret continues on their third full-length album to mix metal with influences from video game-tunes, this time with a little harsher edge than before. The result is still pure Machinae Supremacy, make no mistakes. The material on Overworld is stronger than ever, and with Dark City the band has assembled their greatest track so far.

- Metallica - Death Magnetic
The so-so production and a few overlong songs aside, Death Magnetic is a triumphant return to what Metallica does best: catchy thrash metal that is larger than life. Tracks like That Was Just Your Life, Cyanide, My Apocalypse and Broken, Beat & Scarred should be shoe-ins for their future live shows. St. Anger might not be forgotten, but now it's at least partially forgiven.

- Satyricon - The Age Of Nero
"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars" states The Age Of Nero. Indeed, and those stars are Satyr and Frost, the duo that makes up Satyricon. It's difficult to point out one separate reason for the album's greatness; it's rather the comprehensive picture (the songs, the vocals, the lyrics, the booklet and the production combined) that makes this one of the most exciting listens of the year.

Runner-ups: Opeth - Watershed, Warrel Dane - Praises To The War Machine, Amon Amarth - Twilight Of The Thunder God, Testament - The Formation Of Damnation, Scars On Broadway - Scars On Broadway, Volbeat - Guitar Gangsters And Cadillac Blood

Biggest disappointments

- Children Of Bodom - Blooddrunk
There is nothing new on display here, only worn-out alternations of things we've been hearing for ten years by this band by now. Children Of Bodom used to be a band I really liked, but Bloodrunk doesn't contain one single memorable moment worth speaking of. Granted, there are two or three decent songs around, but that does not a great record make - even the much yelled at previous album Are You Dead Yet? was better than this grey and boring mess.

- Pain - Cynic Paradise
First three tracks are great, but after that mediocrity takes a firm hold of Pain's fifth full-length album. It's understandable that Peter Tägtgren wanted to release something new fast after the band gained many fans during their tour with Nightwish, but when the result is this bland, it's not a valid excuse. My advice to Peter would be: take a break from Pain and release something new with Hypocrisy instead.

Best live concerts

- In Flames @ Annexet, Stockholm
Their historical concert at the amusement park Gröna Lund was partially ruined by a low volume, but when In Flames played by their own rules half a year later they proved that they are still masters in this domain. From the artistic intro with The Chosen Pessimist to the final song Take This Life, it was a magical evening. With this form the forthcoming headlining gig at Sweden Rock Festival has a good chance of becoming a modern classic.

- Volbeat @ Sweden Rock Festival, Sölvesborg
I had no real expectation prior to this gig on the smallest outdoor stage on Sweden Rock Festival, but Volbeat surprised me and delivered the very best concert on the whole damn festival. No wonder that they will appear next year again, because this is, rightfully so, definitely one of the hottest bands around. The new album is great as well, but my feeling is that Volbeat is one of those bands that are better live than on CD.

- Nightwish @ Wacken Open Air, Germany
Sure, everyone agreed on that Iron Maiden was THE headliner of this year's Wacken Open Air, but I personally was more impressed by Nightwish, a band that has no problems making one or two hours just fly by. Good mixture of old and new material, lots of pyrotechnics and a striking performance by the lovely Annette Olzon made this one of the best concerts of all year.

- At The Gates @ Sweden Rock Festival, Sölvesborg
The concert I had looked forward to most all year surely did not disappoint. But when you have a landmark album like Slaughter Of The Soul at your disposal, what could possibly go wrong? Sure, the other big death metal-reunion Carcass didn't quite live up to their reputation, but the members of At The Gates obviously have the same spark as when the band was still active. The encore Blinded By Fear gets my vote for one of the five best metal-songs ever.

- Soilwork @ Debaser Medis, Stockholm
I've seen Soilwork perform live three times this year, once on a rocky ferry on the Baltic Sea, once on the slippery mud at Wacken Open Air, and finally on steady ground in Stockholm just a few weeks ago. The gig at Debaser Medis was superior due to one thing mostly: the presence of Peter Wichers. With the band's co-founder back where he belongs, and with a revitalized set-list, I am now persuaded that Soilwork is on the right path again.

- Slipknot + Machine Head @ Hovet, Stockholm
An American double-whammy with extra everything, please! Slipknot have for a long time been a great live-band for the big arenas, and today they have a song-arsenal worth talking about as well. While Machine Head obviously couldn't match the masked maniacs visually speaking, they were great too, even though Rob Flynn was suffering from a cold that made him cancel the following gig in Denmark.