Now that the year 2022 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, here is the list of our editor-in-chief, Laureline Tilkin.
2022 was once again a year with tough choices. Not only was it the year that live music returned, but it was also the year when a lot of bands released the albums that they created during the pandemic. Many of the albums composed during this time, often felt very refreshing, as if bands found renewed energy during trying times. A lot of the records thus feel as if the artists finally got out of the repetitive machinery of the music industry and were able to experiment a lot more with their sound. Naturally there was plenty to choose from!
Top 10 International albums
10. Hällas – Isle of Wisdom
9. King Gizzard & The Wizard Lizard – Omnium Gatherum
8. Avantasia – A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society
7. Bloodywood – Rakshak
6. Blind Guardian – The God Machine
5. Ghost – Impera
4. An Abstract Illusion – Woe
3. The Halo Effect – Days of the Lost
2. Arjen Lucassen’s Star One – Revel In Time
1. Wilderun – Epigone
Read more: REVIEW: Avantasia – A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society — REVIEW: Bloodywood – Rakshak — REVIEW: Blind Guardian – The God Machine — REVIEW: Ghost – Impera — REVIEW: An Abstract Illusion – Woe — REVIEW: The Halo Effect – Days of the Lost — REVIEW: Arjen Lucassen’s Star One – Revel In Time — REVIEW: Wilderun – Epigone
Top 10 Finnish albums
10. Frozen Factory – Of Pearls & Perils
9. Stoned Statues – Stoned Statues
8. Stratovarius – Survive
7. Flat Earth – High on Lies
6. Spiritraiser – Ciklos
5. Horizon Ignited – Towards the Dying Lands
4. Dirt – Deadbeat
3. Oddland – Vermillion
2. Amorphis – Halo
1. Brymir – Voices In The Sky
Read more: REVIEW: Frozen Factory – Of Pearls & Perils — Interview with Stratovarius — “This album has more energy and it sounds fresh.” — REVIEW: Flat Earth – High on Lies — REVIEW: Spiritraiser – Ciklos — REVIEW: Horizon Ignited – Towards the Dying Lands — REVIEW: Dirt – Deadbeat — REVIEW: Oddland – Vermilion — REVIEW: Amorphis – Halo — REVIEW: Brymir – Voices in the Sky
Top 3 EPs
3. Lord of the Lost – The Heartbeat of the Devil
2. Epica – The Alchemy Project
1. Wheel – Rumination
Read more: REVIEW: Lord of the Lost – EP: The Heartbeat of the Devil — REVIEW: Epica – The Alchemy Project — REVIEW: Wheel – EP: Rumination
Most promising act
Finnish: All the finalists of Come To Latin America: Where’s My Bible, Luna Kills, and Noira.
International: Orbit Culture
Read more: 27.10.2022 Come To Latin America Finalists @ On the Rocks, Helsinki
Top 5 music videos
5. Star One – Revel in Time
4. Riverside – I’m Done With You
3. Bloodred Hourglass – In Lieu of Flowers
2. Turmion Kätilöt – Isä Meidän
1. VV – Loveletting
Top 5 international songs
5. Riverside – I’m Done With You
4. The Resonance Project – Prophecy
3. Nailed to Obscurity – Clouded Frame
2. Ghost – Spillways
1. Orbit Culture – Vultures of North
Read more: REVIEW: Ghost – Impera — REVIEW: Arjen Lucassen’s Star One – Revel In Time
Top 5 Finnish songs
5. Silentium – Forever Sleep (Acoustic Reprise)
4. Wheel – Blood Drinker
3. Bloodred Hourglass – In Lieu with Flowers
2. Amorphis – Northwards
1. Brymir – Voices in the Sky
Read more: FEATURED SINGLE: Silentium – Forever Sleep (Acoustic Reprise) — REVIEW: Wheel – EP: Rumination — REVIEW: Amorphis – Halo — REVIEW: Brymir – Voices in the Sky
Top 5 best last-minute songs
5. Siena Root – Coincidence & Fate
4. Katatonia – Austerity
3. Haken – The Alphabet of Me
2. Riverside – Self-Aware
1. Ne Obliviscaris – Equus
Top 5 cover art
5. Fallujah – Empyrean
4. Devin Townsend – Lightwork
3. Star One – Revel In Time
2. An Abstract Illusion – Woe
1. Wilderun – Epigone
Read more: REVIEW: Fallujah – Empyrean — REVIEW: Devin Townsend – Lightwork — REVIEW: Arjen Lucassen’s Star One – Revel In Time — REVIEW: An Abstract Illusion – Woe — REVIEW: Wilderun – Epigone
Best collaboration
Hozier and Bear McCreary – Blood Upon the Snow (from God of War Ragnarök)
Best concert
The Rasmus at Helsingin Jäähalli
Read more: 30.9.2022 Ramses II & The Rasmus @ Helsingin Jäähalli, Helsinki — GALLERY: 30.9.2022 Ramses II & The Rasmus @ Helsingin Jäähalli, Helsinki
Top 5 most anticipated releases of 2023
5. Orbit Culture – Descent
4. Bloodred Hourglass – TBA
3. Haken – Fauna
2. Ne Obliviscaris – Exul
1. Riverside – ID.entity
Want to share your lists with us? Comment below with your lists.
The whole Tuonela Magazine team wishes you an inspirational 2023 filled with a lot of new music to discover. We hope to see you back next year!
