October, or "Rocktober" as every rock radio station in America calls it was an average month. There was only 1 CD that rated 4.5/5 stars, which made it pretty easy to pick the top CD of the month. However, there were a bunch of releases with 4 out of 5 stars, which made selecting the rest of the top 5 a little more challenging. Here's my list of the Top 5 CDs released in October 2006.
1. Amon Amarth - With Oden On Our Side (Metal Blade)
Amon Amarth's approach on this album was very different than in the past. First they decided to use a producer for the first time instead of just having an engineer. They were also able to quit their day jobs and put in intense songwriting sessions for this album. The result is their most focused and polished release to date.Read the complete Amon Amarth CD review
2. The Haunted - The Dead Eye (Century Media)
The songs are, for the most part, slower in tempo than a lot of their past work. They can still bring the lightning fast thrash riffs and galloping melodies, but they can also slow it down and showcase a dark and sinister atmosphere. The Dead Eye is more melodic than anything they've ever done, but The Haunted still keep plenty of aggressiveness and intensity.Read the complete The Haunted CD review
3. Isis - In The Absence Of Truth (Ipecac)
Groups like Isis aren't tied down by conventional song structures, which makes them complex and interesting. On the downside, the lack of traditional hooks and choruses makes it harder for songs to be memorable. But with a few more listens you begin to appreciate the depth and complexity of what's going on, and discover that there actually are some very memorable things about this CD.Read the complete Isis CD review
4. Tyr - Ragnarok (Napalm)
Ragnarok is an epic album that tells tales of Scandinavian mythology and valiant battles. The songs are melodic and bombastic with excellent guitar work and Viking choruses. In addition to English, Tyr sings in Faroese, the language of their native Faroe Islands. Heri Joensen's emotional and soaring vocals perfectly fit the style and subject matter of Tyr's music. Fans of folk and Viking metal will find a lot to like about this CD.Read the complete Tyr CD review
5. Sunn O)))/Boris - Altar (Southern Lord)
Altar is a group effort not just of Sunn O))) and Boris, but also of guest vocalists Jesse Sykes and Joe Preston (High On Fire), guest guitarist Kim Thayil (Soundgarden) and a few other additional musicians. There is plenty of diversity as the atmosphere of the songs range from sparse and dreamy to dense and noisy. There are instrumentals, songs with female vocals and songs with male vocals.Read the complete Sunn O)))/Boris CD review
