Each year CRL recognizes the biggest achievements in Christian rock that year. Bands and albums that meet the criteria for one of our six different categories are voted on by our staff, and 3 finalists are chosen. Out of those 3 finalists one winner is chosen, revealing CRL's picks for the Best New Band, Best Female-Fronted Album, Best Hardcore/Metalcore Album, Best Hard Rock/Metal album, Best Alternative/Rock Album, and Best Pop Rock/Punk Rock Album. Winners in two other categories will be chosen by fan vote. These two categories are Artist of the Year and Music Video of the Year.


Best New Band
This category recognizes the best new band of 2006. Artists must have released their first LP in the calendar year of 2006 to be eligible. Artists who have released EP's or independent albums prior to their 2006 release are still eligible.

- Family Force Five (winner)
- Red (finalist)
- Nevertheless (finalist)

Best Female-Fronted Album
This category is for all the chick-rockers out there. Note: the band need not be comprised completely or predominately of females. Bands that have a female front-woman are eligible for this award.

- Fireflight- The Healing of Harms (winner)
- Plumb- Chaotic Resolve (finalist)
- Krystal Myers- Dying for a Heart (finalist)

Best Hardcore/Metalcore Album
- Underoath- Define the Great Line (winner)
- Destroy the Runner- Saints (finalist)
- Inhale/Exhale- The Lost, the Sick, the Sacred (finalist)

Best Hard Rock/ Metal Album
- Skillet- Comatose (winner)
- Disciple- Scars Remain (finalist)
- Red- End of Silence (finalist)

Best Rock/Alternative Album
- Hawk Nelson- Smile, It's the End of the World (winner)
- Kutless- Hearts of the Innocent (finalist)
- The Classic Crime- Albatross (finalist)

Best Pop Rock/ Punk Rock
- Nevertheless- Life Like We're Alive (winner)
- Fm Static- Critically Ashamed (finalist)
- Leeland- Sound of Melodies (finalist)