2006 was a very interesting year in Metal: a lot of releases and many by "big names." Now that the voting is over, it is time to announce what albums can truly be called Metalstormers' choice for "Best Album Of 2006" in all the different categories. It were your votes that have decided which albums deserve this title. It is also a high time to make some critical reflections on these results.

A remarkable observation is that "big names" have won in almost every genre. One could ask oneself if this is truly surprising. As striking as it is, some of the "big names" also appear in the Top 10 of Letdown of the year. Among the first six ranks alone, we find one silver second place and three golden winners of the Awards in their specific genre! Take a moment to reflect whether these bands have truly made outstanding albums or if it is their fame and reputation that has helped them on the throne once again crushing contestants on the way. Can a band's name outweigh the quality and effort?

The biggest winners of this third edition of the Metal Storm Awards are Angtoria and Moonspell, the former winning in three categories, the latter in two, and both of them winning all the categories in which they were nominated for! Talk about a remarkable performance. Angtoria has even another silver second place in The Biggest Surprise of the year, close behind Metal Storm's cuddly toy Diablo Swing Orchestra, who came second in both categories they were nominated for.

Another remarkable surprise was the battle in the Death Metal category with Cannibal Corpse taking the win. In addition the Grindcore category was pretty tense between Cattle Decapitation and Whorecore, the former becoming the winner, and with Napalm Death popping up fourth out of the blue without even being nominated! Some of the more convincing winners of their genre this year were Tool, Celtic Frost, Amon Amarth, Iron Maiden, Blind Guardian, Moonspell, Evergrey and Slayer, who all left a relatively big and sometimes even an impressive gap to gape at by their pursuers.

On a side note, Metal Storm Awards 2006 were also marked by a little "drama" which cannot stay unmentioned. Namely, the Dissection management were not pleased with the nomination of "Reinkaos" in the Melodeath/Gothenburg category, and kindly asked to pull back the bands nomination in that genre. That wish was respected. However, for the completeness of the record, "Reinkaos" ended up 9th as The Biggest Letdown of the year.

In conclusion it must be said that whatever the results, another great year filled with music has passed. Let us treasure the best of it and move on, as 2007 promises to be at least as good as 2006. Hereby, Metal Storm Staff would like to congratulate all the winners and everyone who made it to the awards nominations. No good effort ever goes unnoticed!

Feel free to discuss the results and give your opinion in the shoutbox and forums!

Yours, Metal Storm Staff.

All the results can be found at http://www.metalstorm.ee/awards.