Now that 2024 is coming to a close, we at Tuonela Magazine, want to share the releases we have most enjoyed. Each of our staff members will share their own list, and here is the list of Andrea Crow.
To me, 2024 felt like the year that kept on giving! Firstly, in December of last year, news of a new SUNBURST album started spreading with “Manifesto” finally releasing in mid-June to my unbridled delight. Then, in March, Nils Molin and Jona Tee revealed they had been working on a new album under the moniker NEW HORIZON, with “Conquerors” also coming out in mid-June. Thirdly, in the spring, newcomers CEMETERY SKYLINE and CROWNSHIFT caught my attention with singles “Violent Storm” and “My Prison” and the full lengths were on par with the hype. Moreover, in July, SICKSENSE released the killer single “On Repeat” alongside a promise of a full-length debut coming in February 2025, and in August FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE’s “Opera” hit the sweet spot something fierce. Then, as if all of this wasn’t enough, LINKIN PARK made a polarizing comeback with vocalist Emily Armstrong. Besides all this awesomeness, the rest of the year kind of went as expected with bands like LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE, DYNAZTY, DARK TRANQUILLITY, LORD OF THE LOST, AMARANTHE, and EPICA being in heavy rotation in my playlist. What a rollercoaster of a year this has been.
Top 10 International Albums
10. Zetra – Zetra
9. Kissin’ Dynamite – Back with a Bang!
8. Illumishade – Another Side of You
7. Amaranthe – The Catalyst
6. Dark Tranquillity – Endtime Signals
5. Fleshgod Apocalypse – Opera
4. Linkin Park – From Zero
3. New Horizon – Conquerors
2. Cemetery Skyline – Nordic Gothic
1. Sunburst – Manifesto
Read More: REVIEW: Zetra – Zetra | REVIEW: Kissin’ Dynamite – Back with a Bang | REVIEW: Illumishade – Another Side of You | REVIEW: Amaranthe – The Catalyst | REVIEW: Dark Tranquillity – Endtime Signals | REVIEW: Fleshgod Apocalypse – Opera | REVIEW: Linkin Park – From Zero | REVIEW: New Horizon – Conquerors | REVIEW: Cemetery Skyline – Nordic Gothic | REVIEW: Sunburst – Manifesto
Top 10 Finnish Albums
10. The Eternal – Skinwalker
9. Octoploid – Beyond the Aeons
8. Crimson Sun – Sorrowbreaker
7. Crownshift – Crownshift
6. Arctis – Arctis
5. Sonata Arctica – Clear Cold Beyond
4. Wolfheart – Draconian Darkness
3. Nightwish – Yesterwynde
2. Ensiferum – Winter Storm
1. Wintersun – Time II
Read More: REVIEW: The Eternal – Skinwalker | REVIEW: Octoploid – Beyond the Aeons | REVIEW: Crimson Sun – Sorrowbreaker | REVIEW: Crownshift – Crownshift | REVIEW: Arctis – Arctis | REVIEW: Sonata Arctica – Clear Cold Beyond | REVIEW: Wolfheart – Draconian Darkness | REVIEW: Nightwish – Yesterwynde | REVIEW: Ensiferum – Winter Storm | REVIEW: Wintersun – Time II
Top 3 EPs
3. Delain – Dance with the Devil
2. Xandria – Universal Tales
1. Fixation – Speak in Tongues
Read More: SONG OF THE DAY: Delain – The Reaping | REVIEW: Xandria – EP: Universal Tales | REVIEW: Fixation – EP: Speak in Tongues
Top 5 music videos
5. Sunburst – Samaritan (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
4. Sicksense – On repeat (Official Video)
3. Lessdmv – Too Late (Txe Inxuisitor)
2. Seven Spires “Portrait of Us” – Official Music Video
1. Dynazty – Game of Faces (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
Top 5 international songs
5. Lacrimas Profundere – Obscurity
4. Linkin Park – The Emptiness Machine
3. Sunburst – From the Cradle to the Grave
2. Cemetery Skyline – In Darkness
1. The Halo Effect – Become Surrender
Read More: SONG OF THE DAY: Lacrimas Profundere – Obscurity | REVIEW: Linkin Park – From Zero | REVIEW: Sunburst – Manifesto | REVIEW: Cemetery Skyline – Nordic Gothic
Top 5 Finnish songs
5. Marko Hietala – Frankenstein’s Wife
4. The 69 Eyes – Fade to Grey
3. Balance Breach – Antidote feat. Philip Strand
2. Crownshift – My Prison
1. Swallow the Sun – MelancHoly
Read More: REVIEW: Crownshift – Crownshift | REVIEW: Swallow the Sun – Shining
Top 5 best last-minute songs
5. Lessdmv – The Sanctuary
4. Eluveitie – Premonition
3. The Halo Effect – Cruel Perception
2. Jinjer – Green Serpent
1. Dynazty – Game of Faces
Top 5 album covers
5. Xandria – Universal Tales [EP]
4. Remina – Erebus [EP]
3. Illumishade – Another Side of You
2. Sunburst – Manifesto
1. Wintersun – Time II
Best collaboration
Apocalyptica feat. Elize Ryd of Amaranthe – What We’re Up Against
(disclaimer: I know this one came out on December 15, 2023, so it’s not technically a 2024 release but it’s one of the best collaborations I have listened to this year, apart from GOJIRA and Marina Viotti‘s spectacular moment at the Olympics that is)
Most promising act
Finnish: Crownshift
International: Cemetery Skyline
Top 5 most anticipated releases of 2025
5. Spiritbox – Tsunami Sea
4. Jinjer – Duél
3. The Halo Effect – March of the Unheard
2. Dynazty – Game of Faces
1. Sicksense – Cross Me Twice
Want to share your lists with us? Comment below with your lists.
The whole Tuonela Magazine team wishes you an inspirational 2025 filled with a lot of new music to discover. We hope to see you back next year!
