Now that 2024 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 Hector Sanchez, our journalist.
If I had to describe 2024’s music deliverances, I would say it was the time for comebacks, new beginnings, and everything in between. This year was characterized by the return of legends from all metal music subgenres, who reassorted why they are still big names. On the other hand, brand-new bands came into the spotlight, receiving well-deserved recognition after years of efforts to gain success. I must highlight the extreme metal sub-genres, as they caught most of my attention with their active presence. Bands like ROTTING CHRIST, NILE, 1349, and HORNA, treated us to new releases, so I was quite pleased with all the albums I kept adding to my playlists. Moreover, as metal music has undergone many changes in its sound, the veil between this genre and other rhythms has become thin in recent years. It is also increasingly common to see metal artists in mainstream outlets, and I bet we all eagerly watched GOJIRA at the Olympics, right? Metal has intertwined with pop music, hip-hop, folk ensembles, industrial rock, etc. This makes me question what metal music is nowadays, so it is no surprise I have included some unusual names in my lists (hello there KÄÄRIJÄ!). It was not easy to pick only from 5 to 10 names per category, as countless releases kept coming through over the year. That said, those included here are artists that, indeed, impressed me.
Top 10 International albums
10. 1349 – The Wolf and the King
9. Freakangel – Serenity to the Stars, Beauty to the Broken
8. Opeth – The Last Will and Testament
7. Borknagar – Fall
6. Rotting Christ – Pro Xristou
5. Unleash the Archers – Phantoma
4. Judas Priest – Invincible Shield
3. My Dying Bride – A Mortal Binding
2. Nile – The Underworld Awaits Us All
1. Sólstafir – Hin Helga Kvöll
Read more: REVIEW: Opeth – The Last Will and Testament, REVIEW: Judas Priest – Invincible Shield, REVIEW: My Dying Bride – A Mortal Binding, REVIEW: Sólstafir – Hin Helga Kvöl, REVIEW: Nile – The Underworld Awaits Us All
Top 10 Finnish albums
10. Wheel – Charismatic Leaders
9. Northern Genocide – The Point of No Return
8. Horna – Nyx – HymnejäYölle
7.Ensiferum – Winter Storm
6. Turmion Kätilöt – Reset
5. Oranssi Pazuzu – Munntautuja
4. Wolfheart – Draconian Darkness
3. Where’s my Bible – Kave
2. Swallow the Sun – Shining
1. Nightwish – Yesterwynde
Read more: REVIEW: Oranssi Pazuzu – Muuntautuja, REVIEW: Where’s my Bible – Kave, REVIEW: Nightwish – Yesterwynde, REVIEW: Ensiferum – Winter Storm, REVIEW: Wheel – Charismatic Leaders, REVIEW: Swallow the Sun – Shining, REVIEW: Wolfheart – Draconian Darkness, REVIEW: Northern Genocide – Genesis Vol. 666
Top 3 EPs
3. Primordial – Empire Falls (live at Rägnarok Festival 2017)
2. Käärijä – Ruoska
1. Bambie Thug – Fangtasy
Top 5 music videos
5. Rotting Christ – Like Father, Like Son
4. Gojira – Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)
3. Freakangel – Death Bloom
2. Where’s my Bible – KAVE
1. Bambie Thug – Doomsday Blue
Top 5 International songs
5. La Bande-Son Imaginaire – Synthesizer Magazine
4. Judas Priest – Panic Attack
3. Unleash the Archers – Blood Empress
2. Gåte – Ulveham
1. Sólstafir – Blakkrakki
Read more: REVIEW: Judas Priest – Invincible Shield, REVIEW: Unleash the Archers – Phantoma, REVIEW: Sólstafir – Hin Helga Kvöl
Top 5 Finnish songs
5. Where’s my Bible – Fenrir
4. Oranssi Pazuzu – Valotus
3. Käärijä – Huhhahhei
2. Swallow the Sun – MelancHoly
1. Nightwish – An Ocean of Strange Islands
Read more: REVIEW: Where’s my Bible – Kave, REVIEW: Oranssi Pazuzu – Muuntautuja, REVIEW: Swallow the Sun – Shining, REVIEW: Nightwish – Yesterwynde
Top 5 best last-minute songs
5. Hatari – Breadcrumbs
4. Arch Enemy – Blood Dynasty
3. Harakiri For The Sky – Street Spirit (Fade Out)
2. Obscura – Silver Linings
1. The Halo Effect – Cruel Perception
Top 5 Album Covers
5. Sólstafir – Hin Helga Kvöll
4. Nile – The Underworld Awaits Us All
3. Bambie Thug – Hex, So Heavy
2. Unleash the Archers – Phantoma
1. Swallow the Sun – Shining
Best Collaboration
MARKO HIETALA and TARJA TURUNEN – Left on Mars
Best concert
WITHIN TEMPTATION. Any of their concerts is a masterpiece, so I’m not highlighting a specific date but the Bleed Out tour as a whole.
Read more: REVIEW: Within Temptation – Bleed Out, GALLERY: 14.10.2024 Annisokay & Within Temptation @ Velodrom, Berlin, 11.10.2024 Annisokay & Within Temptation @ Helsingin Jäähalli, Helsinki, GALLERY: 11.10.2024 Annisokay & Within Temptation @ Helsingin Jäähalli, Helsinki
Most promising act
La Bande-Son Imaginaire
Top 5 most anticipated releases of 2025
5. Hatari – TBA*
4. Lacuna Coil – Sleepless Empire
3. Harakiri for the Sky – Scorched Earth
2. Obscura- A Sonication
1. Destruction – Birth of Malice
*No confirmed release for 2025
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!
