Now that the year 2023 is coming to a close, we at Tuonela Magazine, want to share the releases that we have most enjoyed. Each of our staff members will share their own list, and here is the list of Andrea Crow.
This year was quite a great one for metal music, wasn’t it? Personally, I discovered not just one amazing band that’s starting its journey in the limelight, but two – Norwegian metalcore band FIXATION and American metal unit DEATH DEALER UNION – as many of their songs have been on constant rotation since their release date. I also witnessed, from the sidelines, the growth and maturity of some of my favorite emerging artists/bands as LESSDMV, BALANCE BREACH, BLACKBRIAR, SPIRITBOX, and IGNEA released some intense songs/albums during the course of the year and I couldn’t be prouder of their success. All the while, the comeback albums/EPs from such established acts like VV, XANDRIA, DELAIN, STREAM OF PASSION, and THEOCRACY made the year’s musical experience all the more gratifying. The only blemishes on this rather wholesome year for me are Tommy Karevik’s departure from SEVENTH WONDER and the disbandment of THE AGONIST…
Top 10 International Albums
10. Serenity – Nemesis AD
9. Temperance – Hermitage – Daruma’s Eyes Part 2
8. Delain – Dark Waters
7. Ignea – Dreams of Lands Unseen
6. Kamelot – The Awakening
5. Xandria – The Wonders Still Awaiting
4. Fixation – More Subtle Than Death
3. Theocracy – Mosaic
2. Blackbriar – A Dark Euphony
1. Within Temptation – Bleed Out
Read more: REVIEW: Serenity – Nemesis AD, REVIEW: Temperance – Hermitage – Daruma’s Eyes Pt. 2, REVIEW: Delain – Dark Waters, REVIEW: Kamelot – The Awakening, REVIEW: Xandria – The Wonders Still Awaiting, REVIEW: Fixation – More Subtle Than Death, REVIEW: Theocracy – Mosaic, REVIEW: Blackbriar – A Dark Euphony, REVIEW: Within Temptation – Bleed Out
Top 10 Finnish albums
10. The 69 Eyes – Death of Darkness
9. Suotana – Ounas I
8. Temple Balls – Avalanche
7. Dyecrest – Once I had a Heart
6. Apocalyptica – Live in Helsinki St John’s Church
5. Amorphis – Queen of Time (live at Tavastia 2021)
4. Insomnium – Anno 1696
3. Balance Breach – Abyzmal
2. Bloodred Hourglass – How’s the Heart
1. VV – Neon Noir
Read more: REVIEW: Suotana – Ounas I, REVIEW: Temple Balls – Avalanche, REVIEW: Dyecrest – Once I Had a Heart, REVIEW: Insomnium – Anno 1696, REVIEW: Balance Breach – Abyzmal, REVIEW: Bloodred Hourglass – How’s the Heart?, REVIEW: VV – Neon Noir
Top 3 EPs
3. Stream of Passion – Beautiful Warrior
2. Epica – Live at the AFAS live
1. Spiritbox – The Fear of Fear
Read more: REVIEW: Stream of Passion – EP: Beautiful Warrior, REVIEW: Spiritbox – EP: The Fear of Fear
Top 5 Music Videos
5. Fixation – Ignore the Disarray
4. Elvenking – Bride of Night (feat. Heike Langhans)
3. Lessdmv – Disarmed
2. Spiritbox – Jaded
1. Bloodred Hourglass – Of Course I Still Love You
Top 5 International Songs
5. Lacrimas Profundere – Breathing Souls
4. Theocracy – Mosaic
3. Amaranthe – Outer Dimensions
2. Within Temptation – Bleed Out
1. Floor Jansen – My Paragon
Read more: REVIEW: Theocracy – Mosaic, REVIEW: Within Temptation – Bleed Out, REVIEW: Floor Jansen – Paragon
Top 5 Finnish Songs
5. Insomnium – The Witch Hunter
4. Bloodred Hourglass – Of Course I Still Love You
3. Balance Breach – Heart Like Siberia
2. Lessdmv – Disarmed
1. VV – Neon Noir
Read more: REVIEW: Insomnium – Anno 1696, REVIEW: Bloodred Hourglass – How’s the Heart?, REVIEW: Balance Breach – Abyzmal, SONG OF THE DAY: Lessdmv – Disarmed, REVIEW: VV – Neon Noir
Top 5 Best Last-minute Songs
5. Zetra – Sacrifice
4. Illumishade – Here We Are
3. Infected Rain – Because I Let You
2. Apocalyptica feat. Elize Ryd – What We’re Up Against
1. Orbit Culture – While We Serve
Top 5 Cover art
5. Fixation – More Subtle Than Death
4. Within Temptation – Bleed Out
3. Riverside – Id.Entity
2. Earthside – Let the Truth Speak
1. Bloodred Hourglass – How’s the Heart?
Best Collaboration
Exit Eden – Run! Feat Marko Hietala
Most Promising Act
Finnish: Lessdmv
International: Fixation
Top 5 Most Anticipated Releases of 2024
5. Lessdmv – Epitaph II
4. Myrath – Karma
3. Sunburst – TBA
2. Lacrimas Profundere – TBA
1. Amaranthe – The Catalyst
Want to share your lists with us? Comment below with your lists.
The whole Tuonela Magazine team wishes you an inspirational 2024 filled with a lot of new music to discover. We hope to see you back next year!
