Tuonela Magazine’s Annual Staff Picks 2022: Sarah de Wolf’s Edition

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 Sarah de Wolf…

2022 was special because it was my first full year living in Finland. After spending half of 2021 in Finland, I was all settled in and ready to make it a great year. Musically, this year was much different than 2021. In 2021, we were happy with the live music shows we got to attend, given they didn’t get cancelled. On the other hand, musicians were able to focus on creating new music, which was shown by countless amazing albums being made. Now that bands have gotten their new material out and COVID restrictions seem to be a thing of the past, 2022 was a natural time for musicians to start touring as normal! Given this, I feel that 2022 was focused more around live shows and festivals rather than creating albums. Fortunately, there were still a lot of amazing new releases out this year, but it made it a little easier to pick the best ones. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing what 2023 will bring!

Top 10 International Albums

10. Allegaeon – DAMNUM

9. Kreator – Hate Über Alles

8. Darkthrone – Astral Fortress

7. Manegarm – Ynglingaättens Öde

6. Amon Amarth – The Great Heathen Army

5. Goatwhore – Angels Hung from the Arches of Heaven

4. Watain – The Agony & Ecstasy of Watain

3. The Hu – Rumble of Thunder

2. Alestorm – Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum

1. DAMPF – The Arrival

Top 10 Finnish albums

10. I am the Night – While the gods are sleeping

9.  Ritva Nero – Immortal Tradition

8. The Hirvi – Violence stays in Fashion

7. Wolftopia – Ways of the pack

6. Brymir – Voices in the Sky

5. Kuoleman Galleria – Armon Loppu

4. Amorphis – Halo

3. Kuolemanlaakso – Kuusumu

2. Wolfheart – King of the North

1. Verikalpa – Tunturihauta

Top 3 EPs

3. Archgoat – All Christianity Ends

2. The 69 Eyes – Drive

1. Kuolemanlaakso – Kuolleiden Laulu

Top 5 Music Videos

5. Wardruna – Skugge

4. SAOR – Origins

3. Wolfheart – King

2. Eluveitie – Aidus

1. The HU – Bii Biyelgee

Top 5 International Songs

5. Månegarm – Stridsgalten

4. Alestorm – Under Blackened Banners

3. The HU – Bii Biyelgee

2. Eluveitie – Aidus

1. Theigns and Thralls – Drinking

Top 5 Finnish Songs

5. Amorphis – On the Dark Waters 

4. Kuolemanlaakso – Katkeruuden malja

3. Kuoleman Galleria – Jean Grenier

2. Wolfheart – King

1. Verikalpa – Raivokansa

Read more: REVIEW: Amorphis – Halo, REVIEW: Kuolemanlaakso – Kuusumu, REVIEW: Wolfheart – King of the North, REVIEW: Verikalpa – Tunturihauta

Top 5 Best Last-Minute Songs

5. Amon Amarth – Odin Owns You All

4. Elvenking – Rapture

3. Skáld – Troll Kalla Mik

2. Turmion Kätilöt – Kuolettavia Vammoja

1. Heidevolk – Drink met de Goden (Walhalla)

Top 5 Cover Art

5. The Hirvi – Violence Stays in Fashion

4. Brymir- Voices in the Sky

3. Alestorm – Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum

2. Verikalpa – Tunturihauta

1. Hath – All That Was Promised

Read more: REVIEW: Brymir – Voices in the Sky, REVIEW: Verikalpa – Tunturihauta

Best Collaboration

Theigns and Thralls – Drinking

Best Concert

DAMF – 29.7.2022 Keskustan Koulun Kenttä, Kerava – Rock in the City Festival

Read more: GALLERY: 29.7.2022 Rock In The City @ Keravan Keskuskenttä, Kerava

TOP 5 MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASES OF 2023

5. Oceanhoarse – Heads will Roll

4. Enslaved – Heimdal

3. …And Oceans – As in Gardens, So In Tombs

2. Heidevolk – Wederkeer

1. VV – Neon Noir

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!