Kimmo: overall, I would rate 2006 as a very good year for "our kind" of rock music. From a Finnish point of view, last year will be a hard one to top: Lordi's sensational Eurovision Contest victory stands out as the most shocking thing, but on a more grassroots level, I'm very happy that newcomers like Brother Firetribe, Carmen Gray, Leverage, Agnes and Lovex have all made it to the charts and even gotten a lot of recognition abroad. I don't think that the Finnish music scene has ever been this saturated with hard rock acts, not even in the good ol' eighties.

Internationally, the situation isn't quite as rosy, with major labels forcefeeding manufactured crap down our throats at an alarming rate. Just look at our charts - not too many major label releases there. Frontiers seems to be doing quite well, signing those "classic bands" left and right, yet still managing to find some new acts too. However, I'm not sure whether I am looking forward to the next batch of "superstar project albums" which is surely to be expected. The concept is getting old...

On a personal level, I was happy to have my "better half" Mira to take more of a visible role in running the site. Yes, this monster that is RockUnited.Com has captured her and there's no way out... There's been a lot of improvements on the site during the last few months, and she's been the one to suggest many of them, for which I'm thankful. I'm looking forward to many great gigs and rockin' moments for us together.

Bandi: Another year gone and the same old names fill up the top part of my list.
The guys of Street Talk never fail to impress and though I have to admit I
had some headache to decide whether WigWam’s tongue in cheek approach
should be praised with the No. 1 spot in the end I went for the astonishing musicianship and permanent quality of Street Talk. I can’t seem to get enough of the non-serious WigWam stuff, yet musically it’s absolutely professional, a well-deserved place here. Michael Bormann’s solo was a very pleasant surprise of the year, some really good and deadly honest lyrics, great vocal work and really decent tunes.

The weakness of the competitors is proved by the fourth spot of House of
Lords with a really decent album but one that is just a far cry from Sahara or Demons Down, yet much better than the previous effort; all in all it catapulted them into the top 5. Again the weakness of the year is proved by Shadowman’s top 5 position with an album that isn’t as good as their previous one.
As for the rest of the top 10, please make welcome to Meat Loaf again,
good to see the man back with some decent songwriting from Jim Steinman. Blue Tears was decent, not more not less, while the only new names were Sunstorm (a band of seasoned veterans actually) and Human Zoo who seemed to grab me with their tight guitar work.
This year’s Talisman album wasn’t as good as the previous one either, yet
they still made it to the top 10. Talk about a bad year again… or just my low expectations?

You won’t find the new Europe or the new Winger albums in my list. They
were definitely among the greatest disappointments of the year for me. I
had equally high anticipations for Mad Max (and though I have to admit that I liked Stryper in the 80s) but this Christian stuff is ridiculous to me.
As always the list is far from being complete. I haven’t heard many of the
albums that would probably have made an impact on the list. I have yet to
hear the 2006 efforts of Styx, Kelly Keagy, Harem Scarem, Thunder, Paul
Gilbert, Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Newman, etc. just to name a few who could have easily made it into my list had I had the chance to listen to them. Sorry guys, I’ll try to catch up!
As for my list of best songs of the year, I paid my dues to WigWam handing them back the number 1 position against Street Talk. As the list of songs is an even more subjective list than that of the albums, I won’t comment any on these songs. I just loved them for whatever reasons.

Mira: The rock year 2006 was quite significant for me. I became more involved in RockUnited.Com than before, mainly focusing on photographing on gigs, doing
interviews with artists and co-ordinating our MySpace page.

The first half of the year was quite unforgettable. The very finest moment was Lordi's fair victory of the European Song Contest in Athens. Hyvä Suomi! Damn, who could have believed that those cute Finnish monsters would take it all!?!?! Huh!
But, hey that tells me something: Europeans are today very much into rock music! Cool!

I visited many great gigs last year. If I should pick three fav gigs, I'd say that
those'd be United Forces Of Rock II festival in Ludwigsburg, Germany (highlights of the festival: Vaughn, Fair Warning, Mad Max). The gig day and the pre-festival party day were full of nice experiences. I'm remembering with warmth all those cool rockers that I met there during the weekend and all those outstanding performances I
saw on stage. It was a long day for a photographer though, but it was worth it! The other two favourite gigs were the gig of Jaded Heart and Mad Max in Munich, Germany and Sauna Open Air in Tampere, Finland (feat. Lordi, W.A.S.P. and Twisted Sister). I was so happy to still be able to see Mr. Snider on stage - now the chapter of Twisted Sister has unfortunately been closed.

Like said earlier I got to know and met so many nice personalities last year. I'd
like to name a few: Jürgen Breforth (blessed to have you as a friend!) + the other guys of Mad Max (my dear family of rock!) + Henning Wanner (so happy for you!), Michael Bormann (the man with the incredible voice and also my fav artist of 2006!),
Human Zoo guys (you guys rock!) and Marion of Gotthard Rocks (freue mich sehr auf
unsere Bekanntschaft).

When thinking about Finnish rock scene in 2006, there were three bands which stood out: those are the aforementioned Lordi as well as the newcomers in Finnish rock scene: Brother Firetribe and Leverage. Way to go Pekka!!!

As regards the best albums of the year, I'd like to mention two highly talented
singers: Michael Bormann and Pekka Ansio Heino. Michael Bormann showed his ultimate talents again with his solo album (Conspiracy) + singing on the latest album of Zeno
(Runway To The Gods). "Conspiracy" is full of incredible nice melodies, touching lyrics and outstanding vocals. I feel so happy that the whole crew of RockUnited.Com
shared the same feeling with me by voting Mike's solo album as the best album of 2006! "Runway To The Gods" features the very nice guitar work of Zeno Roth and grandiose vocals of Mike. Pekka Ansio Heino may have been unknown name at rock scene until last year. With his band Brother Firetribe he has made something amazing. The band's debut album (False Metal) is with the great sound of 80's styled rock the best AOR album from Finland, ever! "False Metal" features great songs with catchy choruses, skillful guitar work, fine vocals, not to mention the feeling one can experience by listening to the album or seeing the band on stage: the joy! With the other band of his (ie. Leverage) Pekka strenghtens his status as a very talented and higly valued vocalist! Leverage's debut album (Tides) is a bit heavier than BFT's debut album but nevertheless it features again Pekka's great vocals and very
thougthful lyrics.

The year 2006 was indeed a very bombastic year for melodic hard rock genre, but luckily the current year seems to be very promising as well: many of my fav bands will release new albums. Hope that we're gonna have a helluva rockin' year of 2007!

The staff of RockUnited.Com has voted again! This is our official Album Chart of 2006, calculated from the indvidual charts of the staff members by using complicated mathematic formulas!

THE ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2006:

1. Michael Bormann: Conspiracy (RMB Records)
Former Jaded Heart-vocalist gets the prestigious "Album Of The Year" trophy with an overall strong performance on several charts of ours - 4 Top 10 positions and one number one slot! Leverage and Sunstorm did put up a good fight, both losing only with one point.

RockUnited.Com review: "An excellent album that bears all the trademarks of "old-school" Jaded Heart, yet it also showcases some new aspects of Bormann. So, in the end... it might just be that us consumers ended up as winners in the "battle", as we get more quality material from both camps?

Good production, exceptionally good vocals and several killer songs should make this an essential buy for everyone into melodic hard rock."
[read the full review]

2. Leverage - Tides (Playground)
RockUnited.Com review: "the band is masterminded by guitarist Tuomas Heikkinen. He has written all the songs, and has shared the production duties with his fellow guitarist Torsti Spoof...Leverage has managed to come up with a sound that is none but their own. OK, they are not doing something totally new, but their mixture of trusted metal elements sounds very fresh... Together with the clever arrangements, flawless musicianship and of course Heino's fine vocals, his songs take this band straight away to the A-level of Finnish Metal/Hard Rock bands." [read the full review]

2. Sunstorm - s/t (Frontiers)
RockUnited.Com review: "Sunstorm is a brand new project where Joe Lynn Turner finally returns to the pure AOR and melodic rock... It's definitely goosebumps warning during AOR rockers such as "Fame And Fortune" and "This Is My Heart". "Strength Over Time" is perfect bliss and "Another You" is a semi-ballad that goes straight for the heart... This is nothin 'but pure JOLT (=Joe Lynn Turner) excellence from the opening notes of "Keep Tonight" to the closing track of "Arms Of Love"...Sunstorm project is without a doubt his best work in +15 years." [read the full review]

4. Wig Wam - Wig Wamania (Voices Of Wonder)
RockUnited.Com review: "Explosive choruses, great melodies, awesome vocals (both lead and background), powerful axemanship and a solid backbeat...they still look as odd as always, but there's nothing ridiculous about their music... Compared to the first album (all three versions of it), this is easily as good an album, probably even a touch better. The production is brilliant, and the artwork is top notch as well." [read the full review]

5. Brother Firetribe - False Metal (Spinefarm)
RockUnited.Com review: "I don't hand out full points too easily these days, but what's there to do with an album with no fillers, quite a few killers and a brilliant production on top of everything? Yes, folks, this is the soundtrack for the summer of 2006, and possibly the album of the year!" [read the full review]

6. House Of Lords - World Upside Down (Frontiers)
7. Paul Stanley - Live To Win (NewDoor / Universal)
8. Talisman - 7 (Frontiers)
9. Harem Scarem - Human Nature (Vespa Music)
9. Human Zoo - Precious Time (BOB Media/ZYX Music)

11. My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade (Reprise)
12. Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell III (Mercury)
12. Zeno - Runway To The Gods (MTM Music)
14. The Poodles - Metal Will Stand Tall (Lionheart)
15. Edguy - Rocket Ride (Nuclear Blast)

16. Slamer - Nowhere Land (Frontiers)
17. Circle 2 Circle - Burden Of Truth (AFM Records)
17. Street Talk - V (MTM Music)
19. Anti-Flag - For Blood And Empire (RCA / SonyBMG)
19. Firewind - Allegiance (Century Media)
19. VandenPlas - Christ O (Inside Out)
22. Amorphis - Eclipse (Nuclear Blast)
22. Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime 2 (Rhino / WEA)
22. Winger - IV (Frontiers)
25. Jon Oliva's Pain - Manical Renderings (AFM Records)
25. Lordi - The Arockalypse (SonyBMG)
27. Motörhead - Kiss Of Death (SPV)
27. Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam (J Records)
27. Shadowman - Different Angles (Escape Music)
30. Fair Warning - Brother's Keeper (Frontiers)
30. O'Hara, Tony - Escape Into The Sun (Frontiers)
30. Whitesnake - Live In The Shadow Of The Blues (SPV)
30. Wolverine - Still
 

Kimmo: Albums Top 20: 1. Brother Firetribe - False Metal (Spinefarm) [ A superb set of songs, half of which were on my "contenders" list to the Top 40 of songs...] 2. House Of Lords - World Upside Down (Frontiers) [A glorious return to form for HOL. Never mind that it's only James Christian and new guys, this is "real" HOL music!] 3. Leverage - Tides (Playground) [A fine melodic metal band with a sound of their own, great hooks and no fillers!] 4. Harem Scarem - Human Nature (Vespa Music) [Another glorious return to form!] 5. Sunstorm - Sunstorm (Frontiers) [a "storming" album from Joe Lynn Turner & co] 6. Paul Stanley - Live To Win (NewDoor / Universal) [If I had made a Top 100 of songs, at least 6 of the songs of this album would have been on it. A great, if a bit short album from this legend of rock.] 7. Michael Bormann - Conspiracy (RMB Records) [Some may disagree, but for me, this was easily the best Bormann-sung album this year.] 8. Lordi - The Arockalypse (SonyBMG) [They don't bore us, they get to the chorus... featuring the new Finnish national anthem, "Hard Rock Hallelujah".] 9. Wig Wam - Wig Wamania (Voices Of Wonder) [Another band with a controversial image, but killer songs. Looking forward to the next album!] 10. Firewind - Allegiance (Century Media) [A metal surprise of the year - with this album, Firewind leap into the champions league of metal!] 11. Edguy - Rocket Ride (Nuclear Blast) 12. Zeno - Runway To The Gods (MTM Music) 13. My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade (Reprise) 14. Last Autumn's Dream - Winter In Paradise (Escape Music) 15. Slamer - Nowhere Land (Frontiers) 16. Fair Warning - Brother's Keeper (Frontiers) 17. Talisman - 7 (Frontiers) 18. The Poodles - Metal Will Stand Tall (Lionheart) 19. Vertigo - 2 (Frontiers) 20. Human Zoo - Precious Time (BOB Media/ZYX Music) Songs Top 40: 1. Treat - I Burn For You 2. Leverage - Stranger 3. Wig Wam - Bygone Zone 4. House Of Lords - Million Miles 5. The Poodles - Night Of Passion 6. Michael Bormann - Stand Up 7. Brother Firetribe - Lover Tonite 8. Edguy - Superheroes 9. Harem Scarem - Caught Up In Your World 10. Brother Firetribe - Midnite Queen 11. Meat Loaf - Alive 12. Michael Bormann - No Regrets 13. Wig Wam - Gonna Get You Someday 14. House Of Lords - Your Eyes 15. Europe - Always The Pretenders 16. Leverage - Superstition 17. Last Autumn's Dream - Love To Go 18. Brother Firetribe - I'm On Fire 19. Fair Warning - Don't Keep Me Waiting 20. Pretty Maids - Another Shot Of Your Love 21. Final Frontier - The Witches Mask 22. Firewind - Breaking The Silence 23. Harem Scarem - Hanging On 25. House Of Lords - SOS 26. Tony O'Hora - Escape Into The Sun 27. Leverage - Sails 28. Final Frontier - Nothing Is Easy 29. Agnes - I Thought We Were Lovers 30. Sunstorm - Keep Tonight 31. Lordi - Good To Be Bad 32. Slamer - Higher Ground 33. Sunstorm - This Is My Heart 34. Zeno - Fanfares Of Love 35. My Chemical Romance - The Sharpest Lives 36. Kilpi - Katharsis 37. Paul Stanley - Live To Win 38. Carmen Grey - Lost In My Mind Again 39.Talisman - Forevermore 40. Winger - On A Day Like Today SPECIAL AWARDS! The Ballad Of The Year: Leverage - Stranger The "Uniting The Nation" Anthem Of The Year: Lordi - Hard Rock Hallelujah The Cover Songs Of The Year: Twilight Guardians - La Isla Bonita Brother Firetribe - Mighty Wings Dream Evil - My Number One The (comeback) disappointments of the year: Zion - s/t (As much as I like Freddy Curci...I could've done without this release.) Fate - V (Another comeback album that doesn't work. What ever happened to the vocalist? Why the screeching?) Leatherwolf - World Asylum (New vocalist, new style... didn't make any kind of an impression) Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime 2 (Despite the fact that very little of their material after "Empire" has been good, I expected this to be a worthy successor to the first OM. Coulda been, shoulda been... It wasn't.) Warrant: Born Again (This could've been better. They did return to the hard rockin' style of their past, but the songwriting was a letdown. Forgettable, unfortunately.) The LIVE EXPERIENCES of the year: Danny Vaughn: Wings & Forever Young, UFOR II (The whole gig was great, but these two songs took my breath away.) Winger: Miles Away, Helsinki, Finland (One of my all time favourite songs. Kip & Co were in fine form...)	Urban: Albums Top 40: 1. My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade (Reprise/Warner) [Catchy and fun rock music of today with just enough of melodies from the past!] 2. Anti-Flag - For Blood And Empire (RCA/Sony) [Krazy and melodic modern punk/rock at its best.] 3. Winger - IV (Frontiers) [This is a real monster and a real grower too. Complex rock melodies with a dark and heavy progressive vibe. Hardly anything for the ones that like "can't get enough" of "seventeen" tho'.] 4. Paul Stanley - Live To Win (Universal) [The Starchild, the main reason to why KISS always recorded good stuff in the past. This is modern rock of 2006 and would clearly have been a chart breaker... with a 30+ year old younger artist.] 5. Motörhead - Kiss Of Death (SPV) [God bless Lemmy, the best Motörhead release since the early 90's.] 6. Whitesnake - Live In The Shadow Of The Blues (SPV) [4 brand new studio tracks and a killer live show.] 7. Sunstorm - Sunstorm (Frontiers) [Joe Lynn Turner with his best release since the 80's.] 8. Cheap Trick - Rockford (SPV) [One of their best releases ever!] 9. Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell III (Sony) [Bombastic, close to or even corny at times, but never dull, featuring Des Child & Jim Steinman.] 10.Pete Yorn - Nightcrawler (Sony/Columbia) [The biggest surprise of the year! laidback, dark and moody to the extreme tho'.] 11.Harem Scarem - Human Nature (Vespa) 12.Valentine - The Most Beautiful Pain (Frontiers) 13.Foo Fighters - Skin And Bones (RCA/Sony) 14.Thunder - Robert Johnson's Tombstone (Frontiers) 15.Firewind - Allegiance (Century Media) 16.Dragonforce - Inhuman Rampage (Sanctuary/Noise) 17.Evanescence - The Open Door (Sony) 18.House of Lords - World Upside Down (Frontiers) 19.Edguy - Rocket Ride (Nuclear Blast) 20.Skid Row - Revolutions Per Minute (SPV) 21.Angra - Aurora Consurgens (SPV) 22.Wig Wam - Wig Wamania (Voices Of Wonder) 23.Talisman - 7 (Frontiers) 24.Papa Roach - Paramour Sessions (Geffen) 25.Chicago - XXX (Rhino) 26.Brother Firetribe - False Metal (Spinefarm) 27.Leverage - Tides (Playground) 28.Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam (J Rec) 29.Strapping Young Lad - The New Black (Century Media) 30.Taking Back Sunday - Louder Now (Warner)  31.Iron Maiden - A Matter Of Life And Death (EMI) 32.Bob Catley - Spirit Of Man (Frontiers) 33.Saracen - Vox In Excelso (Escape) 34.Unleashed - Midvinterblot (SPV) 35.Zeno - Runway To The Gods (MTM) 36.Sodom - DTO (SPV) 37.Michael Bormann - Conspiracy ( ) 38.Bloodbound - Nosferatu (Metal Heaven) 39.The Poodles - Metal Will Stand Tall (Lionheart) 40.Final Frontier - Freelight (Escape) Some of The Best Songs: Oomph - Godt Ist Ein Popstar Treat - I Burn For You Firewind - Till The End Of Time Michael Bormann - Living Just A Lie Agnes - I Thought We Were Lovers Winger - Blue Suede Shoes Unleashed - Midvinterblot Birdflesh - Victims Of The Cat Paul Stanley - Live To Win Zeno - Refugees (Longing For Paradise) My Chemical Romance - Welcome To The Black Parade Brother Firetribe - Midnight Queen Anti-Flag - Hymn For The Dead Thunder - Don't Wanna Talk About Love Dragonforce - Operation Ground And Pound Motörhead - Trigger Taking Back Sunday - Miami Living Things - Bom Bom Bom Leverage - Superstition Valentine - I'm Going Under (Sedated) The Poodles - Nights Of Passion Wig Wam - Gonna Get Ya Whitesnake - All I Want Is You, If You Want Me (I'll Come Running) House Of Lords - These Are The Times Toto - Bottom Of Your Soul Cheesiest ballads of the year: MeatLoaf - Cry To Heaven (Blimey, it's oh danny boy all over again!) Michael Bormann - Amazing (Seriously, bro, you've managed to rip off every sappy Aerosmith & Bon Jovi ballad during the last 15 years. We are not amused!) Disappointments: Backyard Babies - People Like People Like People Like Us Kiske - Michael Kiske Rhapsody Of Fire - Triumph Or Agony Slayer - Christ Illusion John Waite - Downtown Journey Of A Heart Europe - Secret Society Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime II Survivor - Reach Tool - 10.000 Days Hammerfall - Threshold Least Essential Release of The Year: Jeff Scott Soto - Essential Ballads Best Comedy Rock Album: Tenacious D - The Pick Of Destiny (Epic/Sony) The Best All "Live" Albums and/or DVD's: 1. Kamelot - One Cold Winter's Night (SPV) 2. Mötley Crue - Carnival Of Sins (SPV) 3. Vio-Lence - Blood & Dirt (Metal Force) 4. Fair Warning - (Frontiers) 5. TNT - Live In Madrid (MTM) 6. Black Crowes - Freak'N Roll... (Eagle) 7. Saxon - The Eagle Has Landed III (SPV) 8. Rainbow - Live In Munich 77 (SPV) 9. Royal Hunt - (Frontiers) 10.Deep Purple - Live In Montreux (Eagle)
Mira: Albums Top 20: 1. Bormann, Michael - Conspiracy 2. Brother Firetribe - False Metal 3. Zeno - Runway To The Gods 4. Leverage - Tides 5. House Of Lords - World Upside Down 6. O'Hara, Tony - Escape Into The Sun 7. Wigwam - Wig Wamania 8. Human Zoo - Precious Time 9. Sunstorm - s/t 10. Stanley, Paul - Live To Win 11. Fair Warning - Brother's Keeper 12. Mad Max - Night Of White Rock 13. Talisman - 7 14. Altaria - The Fallen Empire 15. Edguy - Rocket Ride 16. Harem Scarem - Human Nature 17. Lordi - The Arockalypse 18. Last Autumn's Dream - Winter In Paradise 19. Poodles, The - Metal Will Stand Tall 20. Twisted Sister - A Twisted Christmas Songs Top 40: 1. Zeno - Climb The Sky 2. Bormann, Michael - So This Could Be You 3. Treat - I Burn For You 4. Leverage - Stranger 5. Stanley, Paul - Second To None 6. Zeno - Fanfares Of Love 7. Bormann, Michael - Conspiracy 8. Wig Wam - Bygone Zone 9. Fair Warning - Generation Jedi 10. House Of Lords - Million Miles 11. O'Hora, Tony - Escape Into The Sun 12. Brother Firetribe - Lover Tonite 13. Altaria - Valley Of Rainbows 14. Bormann, Michael - Stand Up 15. House Of Lords - Your Eyes 16. Zeno - Do You Feel The Time 17. Lordi - Hard Rock Hallelujah 18. Talisman - Shed A Tear Goodbye 19. Last Autumn's Dream - Love To Go 20. Sunstorm - Keep Tonight 21. Mad Max - Unbelievable 22. Human Zoo - Raise Your Hands 23. Altaria - Frozen Hearts 24. Brother Firetribe - Break Out 25. Harem Scarem - Hanging On 26. Human Zoo - Taste Like Sugar 27. Edguy - Superheroes 28. Wig Wam - Slave To Your Love 29. Mad Max - Bad Day In Heaven 30. Leverage - Horizon 31. Sunstorm - Fame And Fortune 32. O'Hora, Tony - Broken Soul 33. Human Zoo - Keep On Rockin' 34. Stanley, Paul - Live To Win 35. Brother Firetribe - Devil's Daughter 36. Valentine - The Cold And Lonely Lie 37. Wig Wam - At The End Of The Day 38. Poodles, The - Night Of Passion 39. Brother Firetribe - Midnite Queen 40. Fair Warning - Don't Keep Me Waiting	Satu: Albums Top 20: 1. Brother Firetribe False Metal (Spinefarm) 2. Leverage Tides (Playground) 3. Amorphis Eclipse (Nuclear Blast) 4. Evergrey Monday Morning Apocalypse (Inside Out) 5. Talisman 7 (Frontiers) 6. Wig Wam Wig Wamania (Voices Of Wonder) 7. Tarot Crows Fly Black (Nuclear Blast) 8. The Poodles Metal Will Stand Tall (Lionheart) 9. Angra Aurora Consurgens (SPV) 10. Michael Bormann Conspiracy (RMB Records) 11. Agnes When The Night Falls (Sony BMG) 12. Bloodbound Nosferatu (MetalHeaven) 13. Sunstorm Sunstorm (Frontiers) 14. Human Zoo Precious Time (BOB Media/ZYX Music) 15. Slamer Nowhere Land (Frontiers) 16. Paul Stanley Live To Win (Universal) 17. Edguy Rocket Ride (Nuclear Blast) 18. Last Autumn's Dream Winter In Paradise (Escape) 19. Firewind Allegiance (Century Media) 20. Lacuna Coil Karmacode (Century Media) BUBBLING UNDER: A.C.T, Jadis, Ancara, Queensrÿche, Heed, Jorn, Frontline, Dream Evil, Negative, Private Line, Paatos, Evanescence, OSI, Rhapsody Of Fire, Fair Warning, Winger, Hammerfall, Proto-Kaw, Silent Voices, Persuader, Trivium, Children Of Bodom, From The Ashes, Naildown, MyGrain, Celtic Frost, Blue Tears, Lordi, Dragonforce, Ten, Zeno, Kiuas, Europe BEST MOMENT OF 2006: Lordi winning the Eurovision Song Contest and taking the first ever Eurovision victory to Finland, with a metal song!
Bandi: Albums Top 25: 1. Street Talk – V (MTM) 2. WigWam – WigWamania (Voices of Wonder) 3. Michael Bormann – Conspiracy (RMB) 4. House Of Lords – World Upside Down (Frontiers) 5. Shadowman – Different Angles (Escape) 6. Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell 2 (Virgin) 7. Blue Tears – The Innocent Ones (AOR Heaven) 8. Sunstorm – Sunstorm (Frontiers) 9. Talisman – 7 (Frontiers) 10. Human Zoo – Precious Time (Zyx) 11. Slamer – Nowhere Land (Frontiers) 12. Bonfire – Double X (LZ) 13. Leverage – Tides (Playground) 14. Vertigo – 2 (Frontiers) 15. Deacon Street – II (MTM) 16. The Poodles – Metal Will Stand Tall (Lionheart) 17. Bloodbound – Nosferatu (Avalon) 18. Ian Parry – Visions (Escape) 19. Survivor – Reach (Frontiers) 20. Paul Stanley – Live To Win (Universal) 21. Bob Catley – The Spirit of Man (Frontiers) 22. Mad Max – Night of White Rock (AOR Heaven) 23. Brother Firetribe – False Metal (Spinefarm) 24. Firewind – Allegiance (Century Media) 25. Pretty Maids – Wake Up to the Real World (Frontiers) Songs Top 10: 1. WigWam – Kill My Rock n’ Roll 2. Street Talk – Responsible 3. Michael Bormann – Two of a Kind 4. Shadowman – Learn To Live Without You 5. House of Lords – All the Pieces Falling 6. Blue Tears – Let It Rain 7. Meat Loaf – Cry Over Me 8. Bonfire – Blink of an Eye 9. House of Lords – My Generation 10. Human Zoo – Cosmopolitan Scene	Martien: Albums Top 20: 1. Circle 2 Circle - Brden of truth 2. VandenPlas - Christ O 3. Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime 2 4. Jon Oliva's Pain - Manical renderings 5. Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam 6. Wolverine - Still 7. Derek Sherinian - Blood of the snake 8. The Devin Townsend band - Synchestra 9. A.C.T. - Silence 10. Outworld - Outworld 11. The Flower Kings - Paradox Hotel 12. Jorn - The duke 13. Evergrey - Monday morning apocalypse 14. Marty Friedman - Loudspeaker 15. Rhapsody of Fire - Triumph or agony 16. Joe Bonamassa - You and me 17. Tool - 10,000 days 18. Peter Frampton - Fingerprints 19. Walter Trout -Full circle 20. Spock's Beard - Spock's Beard DVD top 5: 1. Porcupine Tree - Arriving somewhere 2. Rush - Repla X3 3. Dream Theater - Score 4. Whitesnake - Live in the still of the night 5. Flower Kings - Instant delivery