Now that 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, so here is the list of Denise Di Lallo Ragazzo…
As another year comes to an end, you know what that means, right? Christmas gatherings, a week off to enjoy the festivities, and if you are based anywhere down the Equator like me, you must also be preparing to face summertime. Surely, those are the thoughts crossing your mind whenever you think about the end of the year. I believe this will be of greater interest. Finally, we have reached the point of the road to share the top 10 albums of 2023. Ain’t that much better? I thought so.
Gathering only 10 albums might sound like an easy-peasy kind of task if one is taken as an introvert on the search for new soundtracks for real and personal life events, such as myself. That idea is quite fleeting, though, and once you realize there are twice as many albums to rearrange and, inevitably, some will be left behind, it becomes a heavy-hearted task.
And now, I am pleased to share my favorite albums from the big 2023. Each and every one of them speaks volumes to me. I even second-guessed, for instance, album #5, as technically they aren’t a real band, but the song “The River” was on constant replay. Other albums I admit to not listening to on a daily basis; however, their uniqueness and beyond-belief quality have earned their rightful spot. I’m looking at you, ATAVISTIA and SYLVATICA.
Now, reaching the top 5, I must admit that one band I got the chance to see live in the 2022 edition of Hellfest, and it was, sadly, not an instant like—I regret to inform. Then they came and released this album, so I thought it wouldn’t do any harm to simply hit play. Little did I know that I would be more surprised than Alice getting into the rabbit hole, reaching a point of becoming a tremendous fan – AVATAR, that would be you. Kudos!
I reckon some fans are really not into live albums, but that’s not my case, especially when it comes to songs from past years and a band that I haven’t caught live since 2019. Obviously, AMORPHIS would get into the TOP 10. Last but not least, not even by a mile, #1 has become one of my favorites from the first release date, and I suspect not only for the 2023 album. CROWNE, the crown is yours to take.
Top 10 International albums
10. Аркона – Kob’
9. Burning Witches – The Dark Tower
8. Bloodbound – Tales From The North
7. Sylvatica – Cadaver Synod
6. Atavistia – Cosmic Warfare
5. Daisy Jones & The Six – Aurora
4. Borknagar – Universal
3. Saurom – El Pájaro Fantasma
2. Avatar – Dance Devil Dance
1. Crowne – Operation Phoenix
Top 10 Finnish albums
10. Warmen – Here For None
9. Viikate – Askel
8. Frozen Land – Out of The Dark
7. Tombstone – Angel of Blood
6. Kaunis Kuolematon – Mielenvalta
5. Excalion – Once Upon a Time
4. Insomnium – Anno 1696
3. Kalmah – Kalmah
2. Sielunvihollinen – Helvetinkone
1. Amorphis – Queen Of Time (Live At Tavastia 2021)
Read more: REVIEW: Warmen – Here For None, REVIEW: Insomnium – Anno 1696, REVIEW: Kalmah – Kalmah
Top 3 EPs
3. Ghost – Phantomime
2. Strigoi – Bathed In A Black Sun
1. Insomnium – Songs Of The Dusk
Top 5 music videos
5. Exit Eden – Run! Feat. Marko Hietala
4. Warmen – Hell On Four Wheels
3. Myrath – Heroes
2. H.E.A.T -Will You Be
1. Avatar – Chimp Mosh Pit
Top 5 international songs
5. Rian – We Ride
4. Borknagar – For a Thousand Years to Come
3. Bloodbound – Odin’s Prayer
2. Avatar – Do You Feel in Control?
1. Crowne – Operation Phoenix
Top 5 Finnish songs
5. Excalion – When a Moment Turns into a Lifetime
4. Kaunis Kuolematon – Surussa Uinuva
3. Merta – Katso Mua Silmiin
2. Kalmah – Tons of Chaos
1. Sielunvihollinen – Sinetti ja symboli
Top 5 best last-minute songs
5. Dragonforce – Doomsday Party ft. Elize Ryd
4. Moon Shot – Shadow Boxer
3. Orbit Culture – While We Serve
2. Vordona – Unspoken
1. Sonata Arctica – A Monster Only You Can’t See
Top 5 Cover art
5. Crypta – Shades of Sorrow
4. Ghost – Phantomime
3. Twilight Force – At the Heart of Wintervale
2. Hellripper – Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags
1. Bell Witch – Future’s Shadow Part 1: The Clandestine Gate
Best collaboration
Doro – Total Eclipse of the Heart (feat. Rob Halford)
Best concert
Both days from Summer Breeze Brazil, São Paulo – April 29th and 30th, 2023
Most promising act
They didn’t release any new material; nonetheless, something tells me we should all keep an eye on what lies ahead in respect to FELLOWSHIP.
Top 5 most anticipated releases of 2024
5. Vintersorg
4. Satyricon
3. Amaranthe – The Catalyst (Release date: February 23rd, 2024)
2. Judas Priest – Invincible Shield (Release date: March 8th, 2024)
1. Nightwish
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!
