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 Magdalena, our photographer.
As one can tell from the kinds of acts I like to photograph, I’m neck-deep in black metal and its derivatives—especially extreme and avant-garde black metal. However, I’m also a nostalgic beast, and since I grew up on symphonic metal, it still holds a steady, warm spot in my black little heart.
I like to joke that I have a unique ability to pull bands and albums from the depths of the underground—unknown, niche gems—and then obsess over them for months on end. This year was overflowing with albums, both ones I had been eagerly awaiting and those that took me completely by surprise. Funnily enough, the ones I was anticipating barely made it into my Top 10 this year. Instead, it was the albums I didn’t even know were coming out until they were already released that won me over completely.
Polish black metal deserves a special shout-out here. We got so many great albums, singles, and splits from across the Baltic Sea that, for once—and this doesn’t happen often—yours truly was genuinely proud of her homeland.
Top 10 Albums
- Zørza – Hellven
Honestly? Debut of the year. Kacper, Eryk, and Michał delivered such an intricate, well-crafted album, with each riff somehow better than the last. Like I’ve said before, Poland is a black metal powerhouse—its bands are both creative and prolific when it comes to new releases.
As for the comments claiming ZØRZA is just a MGŁA clone? Those people need to go touch grass. And even if that were the case, would it really be such a bad thing? The riff in “Death II” is hands-down one of the catchiest I’ve heard in a long time.
And then, just when you think the album has given you everything, it ends with a WINDIR cover—the perfect cherry on top of an already stellar release. ZØRZA blends just the right amount of melody into their sound, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next. Here’s hoping we’ll see them in Finland (maybe) sometime soon.
2. Ulcerate – Cutting the Throat of God
This one came in a literal photo finish for second place, an album I listened to relentlessly and enjoyed immensely. It might just be the soundtrack to my doctoral thesis, which started coming together around the time of its release.
The album is incredibly well-composed and cohesive. I’m a big fan of this kind of metal—not screechy or chaotic, but thoughtful, meaty, and “lower and slower,” which makes it feel all the heavier. As someone who thrives on metal at its heaviest, I appreciate when albums and songs carry a certain depth, feel three-dimensional, and cocoon the listener in a cozy wall of sound. Every single track on this album does exactly that.
ULCERATE is the kind of band where the drums form the backbone of their sound. The sheer weight of their music comes largely from Jamie Saint Merat’s virtuosic percussion, with the guitars and vocals acting as perfect complements. If I had to put a name to it, I’d call it “sophisticated brutal” metal. Add a sprinkle of theatrical nihilism—just like ULCERATE does so flawlessly here—and you’ve got me completely hooked.
3. Arkona – Stella Pandora
Another Polish act steps into the spotlight—this time the well-known ARKONA. After their spectacular “Age of Capricorn” (which, admittedly, has divided opinions—though personally, it was “Age of Capricorn” that got me into ARKONA, not “Lunaris” or their earlier works), expectations for this release were sky-high.
Were they met? Well, opinions may vary. Some might argue that the album feels a bit monotonous, with less variety in riffs and melodies. But here’s the catch: the overall compositions remain top-tier—catchy, melodic, and well-crafted. For those who understand Polish, the lyrical depth adds another layer of appreciation. Thanks to Drac’s clear and deliberate enunciation, you can hear every word, which is a rarity in the genre and a real treat for the listener.
4. Fleshgod Apocalypse – Opera
I have a nasty habit of judging bands by their names, and it often leads me to miss out on absolute gems. For the longest time, I assumed that FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE—based solely on their name—played some kind of metalcore. So I avoided them. Oh, what a mistake.
The Italians delivered an incredible album, overflowing with rich orchestrations that perfectly satisfy my symphonic metal side, while balancing it with just the right amount of heaviness. And what’s the perfect amount of heaviness, you ask? As much as humanly possible.
5. Gaerea – Coma
A very recent release, just from late October. I’d describe GAEREA as “polite black metal”—like your black metal neighbor who combed his hair and always greets you, but still looks like he just had breakfast with Satan himself. This album is a beautiful bloodbath, just the way I like it. It’s a wall of sound, but not chaotic. Quite the opposite, actually. The compositions are meticulously crafted, and the symphonic layer underneath, while slightly toned down, still shines through, adding depth to the whole experience.
6. Rotting Christ – Pro Xristou
Don’t get me wrong, I love ROTTING CHRIST and basically anything black metal that comes out of Greece. However, this album feels like a riff-recycling machine. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but is it truly great? Still, it’s a very pleasant listen. You can definitely hear the spirit of ROTTING CHRIST in it, with just the right amount of occultism and ancient languages—a touch I’ve always greatly appreciated.
7. Nightwish – Yesterwynde
I’ve been a NIGHTWISH fan for 18 of my 29 years, so I’ve experienced all their highs and lows, sticking with them through thick and thin. When they stumbled for the first time with “Endless Forms Most Beautiful,” I was more than willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and a carousel of second chances. With “Human. :II: Nature.,” however, my skepticism grew. As a biologist, I’m not a fan of the biology-themed lyrics. My dramatic soul craves real drama—lyrical depth that’s as intense as the “All of my songs can only be born from the greatest of pains” kind of anguish. “Yesterwynde” is, in my opinion, the best of the biology trilogy (as I like to call their last three albums). But is it great? It certainly has some standout moments, like “Children of Ata” or “The Weave.”
8. Zeal and Ardor – Greif
Does it pain my little heart to list my two favorite bands towards the end of my list? Oh, absolutely. It doesn’t mean I’ll stop supporting them—it just means there’s room for improvement. ZEAL & ARDOR set the bar incredibly high with their self-titled release in 2022. That album was bursting with heaviness and defiant lyrics (take “Bow,” for example—“A young girl screams ‘death to the nation!’”? Exquisite, chef’s kiss.). Greif, however, is significantly milder than its predecessor, to the point where one starts to wonder if it’s still metal, or a fusion of ZEAL & ARDOR with Manuel’s other project, BIRDMASK. Will I keep supporting them? Of course. But at the same time, I do miss the cathartic screaming on “Greif” that I got on “Zeal and Ardor.” On to the next one.
9. Dom Zły – Ku Pogrzebaniu Serc
Another great Polish black metal act. Are we surprised? I started exploring DOM ZŁY’s discography after seeing them support ZEAL & ARDOR in Warsaw this past September. I’ve always had a soft spot for female-fronted black metal bands, so I had to check them out right away. “Ku Pogrzebaniu Serc” is a poetic twist on a popular Polish phrase from before Poland regained independence. The album is raw, emotional, and just such a nice, casual listen.
10. Darkthrone – It Beckons Us All
A band that, despite reinventing their sound with each of their albums, still manages to sound like the old-school black metal bands sounded in the 90s. And I mean it as a compliment. A hearty dose of quality black metal with doomy vibes, which as a fan of both genres, I massively appreciate.
Top 5 Finnish Albums
Another photo-finish type of a first and second place, although I have to give it to Jari that over a decade of composing, recording, and mastering did yield an exceptional album. Could it have had 200 tracks per song instead of 600? Easily, and nobody would be the wiser. This absolute overkill of an album deserves the first spot in the Finnish releases of 2024.
- Wintersun – Time II
- Nightwish – Yesterwynde
- Oranssi Pazuzu – Muuntautuja
- Horna – Nyx (Hymnejä yölle)
- Nightside – Death from the North
Top 3 EPs
In the EPs, one really stands out, and it’s the GNIEW/ACTUM INFERNI split. There are just two songs—one by each band—both composed by the same person, but the quality makes up for the quantity a thousandfold. If you’ve followed the Polish black metal act PLAGA, you will be delighted to find out that both ACTUM INFERNI and GNIEW are led by the same person, Draconis. “Antidotum na Życie” (English: “The Antidote for Life“) is a one-man endeavor, featuring intricate guitar solos and great riffs. The riffs have always been a forte of anything composed by Draconis, so if you’re into that, definitely take a deep dive into the discography of PLAGA, GNIEW, and ACTUM INFERNI.
Then we have the band PATRIARKH, which used to be called BATUSHKA before it lost the court case to the rightful owner of the name. Regardless of the name, the music they make is good—heavy, ritualistic, and sacrilegious, which is right up my alley if you haven’t already noticed it. The orthodox sacral chants paired up with black metal result in a perfect blend of all the things I like, so I’m going to forget about the drama for the time being while I listen to the single.
- Actum Inferni and Gniew (split) – Antidotum na Życie
- Patriarkh – Wierszalin III
- Epica – Arcana
That’s all from me for this year, Merry Christmas, and may Satan bring you an array of gifts, both music- and non-music-related. Have a good one and see you in 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!
