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 our photographer, Michelle.
“Temporal Compression” is my personal motto for 2024. Originally a hypothesis in psychology, it offers an explanation for the subjective perception of time passing, particularly its acceleration when we’re having a good time.
Now, I’m not gonna bore you with the details, but what’s important to mention is that this phenomenon occurs when our level of engagement with our present tasks is at its peak. You might have heard of the ominous “flow state.” Well, this is exactly what you’re looking for if you want to engage meaningfully in life and make the passing of time enjoyable. Faster, too, but mostly enjoyable. Try to get yourself into a constant state of flow.
Speaking of flow, 2024 has been one of the most meaningful years for me personally. I know I said something along those lines the year before, but this one really surpassed all my expectations. And even though there were (and still are) difficulties at times, I couldn’t have asked for a more rewarding year.
One of the things in my life with which I engage the most, is the world of music. Even in moments when I’m not directly interacting with it, my tasks almost always come with their own soundtrack. It’s like having a constant rhythm pushing me forward.
So, however, it is, and whatever you do, my unsolicited advice to you is this: be mindful of the tasks you engage in on an everyday basis, and enjoy every second of them, even if they prove themselves to be more challenging than you expected.
All this in order to live a meaningful life. Oh, and don’t forget to make a kickass playlist to have in the background while you’re doing your thing!
Next year is already shaping up to be a formidable one, music-wise. I can’t wait to go to the first concert of the year and turn my experience into photos and words for you to see, and read. Finally, I would like to thank our editor-in-chief and wonderful friend Laureline Tilkin, for making all of this possible for so many of us.
Regarding my Top 10 international albums, there were some slight changes this year, when it comes to my preferred genres and sub-genres. I haven’t yet found the reason for this, but my preferred styles shifted in 2024.
Having concentrated on progressive metal and rock during the last few years, this time around my heart varied the selection more than usual and, right at the end of the year, decided to concentrate on heaviness, specifically the kind BLOOD INCANTATION, and MÚR offer, as well as the variety, dreaminess, and authenticity the music of someone like UYAMA HIROTO can offer.
Hence the reason why usual favorites of mine like LEPROUS, DEVIN TOWNSEND, KLONE, and CHELSEA WOLFE didn’t make it into my top 10 but still deserve a special mention, together with the releases of great acts like ZETRA, ULCERATE, TRIBULATION, DÖDSRIT, and CHAPEL OF DISEASE.
Nevertheless, the pattern this year created, is still one I can recognize, having focused on releases from bands like VOLA and PALLBEARER, the line of heart-wrenching depth did remain.
Top 10 International albums
10. Evergrey – Theories Of Emptiness
9. Unto Others – Never, Neverland
8. Borknagar – Fall
7. Uyama Hiroto – Eternal Bless
6. Dool – The Shape Of Fluidity
5. Zeal & Ardor – Greif
4. Múr – Múr
3. Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere
2. Pallbearer – Mind Burns Alive
1. Vola – Phantom Of A Friend
Top 10 Finnish albums
Whatever ORANSSI PAZUZU were thinking when writing this album, I thank them wholeheartedly.
10. Where’s My Bible – Kave
9. Wolfheart – Draconian Darkness
8. Ensiferum – Winterstorm
7. Octoploid – Beyond The Aeons
6. Moon Shot – The Power
5. Amorphis – Tales From The Thousand Lakes (Live At Tavastia)
4. D.O.P.A. – Vivid Dreams
3. Cemetery Skyline – Nordic Gothic
2. Wheel – Charismatic Leaders
1. Oranssi Pazuzu – Muuntautuja
Top 3 Eps
If you are up for surprises, I really recommend listening to these three EPs, even in the order they are listed, but only if you don’t mind genre-jumping. Otherwise, your head might hurt.
From KYROS’ progressive synth-rock to FLYING LOTUS’ dreamy jazz landscapes, and finally into the ethereal world of THERE’S A LIGHT with NOIR REVA, I promise you will have a good time! I guarantee you a mind-bending experience, at the very least.
3. There’s A Light, Noir Reva – Anam Cara
2. Flying Lotus – Spirit Box
1. Kyros – Fear & Love.
Top 5 music videos
5. Vola – Bleed Out
4. Unto Others – Butterfly
3. Blood Incantation – The Stargate
2. Múr – Heimsslit
1. Gojira – Mea Culpa (Ah! Ca ira!)
Top 5 international songs
4. Kyros – Liminal Space
4. Blood Incantation – The Message (Tablet I)
3. Múr – Holskefla
2. Pallbearer – Where The Light Fades
1. Vola – Break My Lying Tongue
Top 5 Finnish songs
5. Dawn Of Solace – Fortress
4. Octoploid – Human Amoral (feat. Tomi Joutsen)
3. Luna Kills – Sugar Rush
2. Cemetery Skyline – In Darkness
1. Oranssi Pazuzu – Muuntautuja
Top 5 best last-minute songs
5. The Hellacopters – (I Don’t Wanna Be) Just A Memory
4. Asymmetric Universe – Opaco
3. Spirit Box – Perfect Soul
2. Harakiri For The Sky, Groza – Street Spirit (Fade Out)
1. Hangman’s Chair – Kowloon Nights
Top 5 Album Covers
5. There´s A Light, Noir Reva – Anam Cara
4. Klone – The Unseen
3. Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere
2. Chapel Of Disease
1. Dödsrit
Best collaboration
Vola feat. Anders Fridén – Cannibal
Best concert
Dool @ Burning Q Festival, Germany
Special Mention:
Vola @ Markthalle, Hamburg
Korn @ Reload Festival, Sulingen, Germany
Tesseract @ Victoria Carlswerk, Cologne, Germany
Haken @ Uebel & Gefaehrlich, Hamburg
Most promising act
The Icelandic quintet MÚR just released a monster of a debut album to the world. We can’t wait to see them live, and see what the future holds for them. If you haven’t checked them out, this might be the time. A short description of the feeling their music gives you is:
“Wants to climb a mountain in poor weather conditions, as fast as possible.”
Top 5 most anticipated releases of 2025
5. Spirit Box – Tsunami Sea
4. Obscura – A Sonication
3. Harakiri For The Sky – Scorched Earth
2. Hangman’s Chair – Saddiction
1. Nailed To Obscurity – TBA
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!
