1.Cradle Of Filth - Dusk... And Her Embrace

2.Katatonia - Brave Murder Day

3.Iced Earth - The Dark Saga

4.Manowar - Louder Than Hell

5.Dimmu Borgir - Stormblåst

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1.Edge Of Sanity - Crimson

2.Opeth - Morningrise

3.Iced Earth - The Dark Saga

4.Nevermore - The Politics Of Ecstasy

5.Arch Enemy - Black Earth

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Keep in mind, there is not a single Katatonia album that I dislike or think is "okay". I have a deep respect and admiration for this group, so much so that even my least favorite album by the group is a very good one.

1.Katatonia - Viva Emptiness

2.Katatonia - Discouraged Ones

3.Katatonia - The Great Cold Distance

4.Katatonia - Dead End Kings

5.Katatonia - Dance Of December Souls

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This was by far the most difficult list to do. That's because all top releases are so good that any could be number one. 1996 probably best metal year ever imo.

1.Cradle Of Filth - Dusk... And Her Embrace

2.Theatre Of Tragedy - Velvet Darkness They Fear

3.Moonspell - Irreligious

4.Samael - Passage

5.Cradle Of Filth - V Empire

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Pretty nice year, some absolutely outstanding albums.

1.Estatic Fear - Somnium Obmutum

2.Opeth - Morningrise

3.Cradle Of Filth - Dusk... And Her Embrace

4.In Flames - The Jester Race

5.Devil Doll - Dies Irae

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