Now that the year 2021 is coming to a close, we at Tuonela Magazine want to share what releases we enjoyed the most. Each of our staff members will share their own lists, so here is the list of our journalist, Jana De Boeck.
If it was up to me, I would have 2021 added to the dictionary as a curse word by now. With most of my plans in the trash, including all anticipated concerts, I used the little free time I had to recharge my batteries with music. I dare say those brief moments in the car, on my way to another unpredictable shift at the hospital, singing along to my favorite songs, or getting excited about the latest releases, are a big part of what kept me going. Music is incredibly powerful in that way, bringing people together in a world on the brink of insanity. Bands that saw their tours canceled did not go sit in a corner and feel sorry for themselves but brought us engaging livestreams and exciting fresh material to look forward to. Here’s a list of the new music that got me through this hellish year.
Top 10 International albums
10. Beartooth – “Below”
9. Architects – “For Those That Wish To Exist”
8. While She Sleeps – “Sleeps Society”
7. Sleep Token – “This Place Will Become Your Tomb”
6. Soen – “Imperial”
5. Harakiri For The Sky – “Mære”
4. Tribulation – “Where The Gloom Becomes Sound”
3. Leprous – “Aphelion”
2. Epica – “Omega”
1. Gojira – “Fortitude”
Read more: REVIEW: Soen – Imperial | REVIEW: Harakiri for the Sky – Mære | REVIEW: Tribulation – Where the Gloom Becomes Sound | REVIEW: Leprous – Aphelion | REVIEW: Epica – Omega | REVIEW: Gojira – Fortitude
Top 10 Finnish albums
10. Simulacrum – “Genesis”
9. Thy Row – “Unchained”
8. Blame Me! – “The Invisible You”
7. Oceanhoarse – “Dead Reckoning”
6. Omnium Gatherum – “Origin”
5. Korpiklaani – “Jylhä”
4. Marianas Rest – “Fata Morgana”
3. Wheel – “Resident Human”
2. Bloodred Hourglass – “Your Highness”
1. Beast in Black – “Dark Connection”
Read more: REVIEW: Simulacrum – Genesis | REVIEW: Thy Row – Unchained | REVIEW: Blame Me – The Invisible You | PRELISTENING: Oceanhoarse – Dead Reckoning | REVIEW: Omnium Gatherum – Origin | REVIEW: Korpiklaani – Jylhä | REVIEW: Marianas Rest – Fata Morgana | REVIEW: Bloodred Hourglass – Your Highness | REVIEW: Beast In Black – Dark Connection
Top 3 EPs
3. The Agonist – “Days Before the World Wept”
2. Insomnium – “Argent Moon”
1. Bodom After Midnight – “Paint the Sky with Blood”
Read more: REVIEW: Bodom After Midnight – EP: Paint the Sky with Blood
Best livestream concert
Epica – Omega Alive
Read more: Interview with Epica — “You have to look a little bit tough because you’re in a metal band.”
Most promising act
Bloodred Hourglass
Read more: REVIEW: Bloodred Hourglass – Your Highness
Top 5 music videos
5. Korpiklaani – Niemi
4. Architects – Dead Butterflies
3. Soen – Illusion
2. Gojira – Born For One Thing
1. Beast In Black – Hardcore
Top 5 lyric videos
5. Star One – Lost Children of the Universe
4. Dynazty – Power of Will
3. Ember Falls – The Wall
2. Thy Row – Unchained
1. Gojira – Into The Storm
Top 5 international songs
5. Of Mice & Men – “Obsolete”
4. Sleep Token – “Alkaline”
3. Tribulation – “Hour of the Wolf”
2. Epica – “Abyss Of Time – Countdown To Singularity”
1. Gojira – “Born For One Thing”
Read more: REVIEW: Tribulation – Where the Gloom Becomes Sound | Interview with Epica — “We can all need a little bit of music to accompany us in these days.” | REVIEW: Gojira – Fortitude
Top 5 Finnish songs
5. Wheel – “Dissipating”
4. Bodom After Midnight – “Paint the Sky with Blood”
3. Oceanhoarse – “Fight For Tomorrow”
2. Beast in Black – “Hardcore”
1. Bloodred Hourglass – “Leaves”
Read more: REVIEW: Wheel – Resident Human | REVIEW: Bodom After Midnight – EP: Paint the Sky with Blood | Interview with Oceanhoarse — “A sonic storyline.” | Interview with Beast In Black — “As a composer, I’ve touched maybe 0.1% of all the things I want to do with music.” | Interview with Bloodred Hourglass — “We wanted to emphasize the importance of sounding modern and fresh.”
Top 5 best last-minute songs
5. Enterprise Earth – Legends Never Die
4. Zeal & Ardor – Golden Liar
3. Balance Breach – Overthrown
2. Amorphis – Halo
1. Eskimo Callboy – Pump It
Top 5 cover art
5. At the Gates – “The Nightmare of Being”
4. Cannibal Corpse – “Violence Unimagined”
3. Gojira – “Fortitude”
2. The Vintage Caravan – “Monuments”
1. Harakiri For The Sky – “Mære”
Best collaboration
Ex Deo – Boudicca (Queen of the Iceni) ft. Brittney Slayes
Top 5 most anticipated releases of 2022
5. Enterprise Earth – “The Chosen”
4. Dawn of Solace – “Flames of Perdition”
3. Sabaton – “The War to End All Wars”
2. Amorphis – “Halo”
1. Zeal & Ardor – “Zeal & Ardor”
Want to share your lists with us? Comment below with your lists.
The whole Tuonela Magazine team wishes you an inspirational 2022 filled with a lot of new music to discover. We hope to see you back next year!
