Now that the year 2020 is coming to a close, we at Tuonela Magazine, want to share what releases we enjoyed the most. Each of our staff members will share their own lists, here is the list of Jana De Boeck.
If it was up to me, I would have 2020 added to the dictionary as a curse word by now. With most of my plans in the trash, including all anticipated concerts, I used the little free time I had to recharge my batteries with music. I dare say those brief moments in the car, on my way to another unpredictable shift at the hospital, singing along to my favourite songs or getting excited about the latest releases, are a big part of what kept me going. Music is incredibly powerful in that way, bringing people together in a world on the brink of insanity. Bands that saw their tours cancelled did not go sit in a corner and feel sorry for themselves, but brought us engaging live-streams and exciting fresh material to look forward to. Here’s a list of the new music that got me through this hellish year.
Top 10 International albums
10. Polaris – The Death of Me
9. Katatonia – City Burials
8. Obsidian Kingdom – Meat Machine
7. Oceans of Slumber – Oceans of Slumber
6. Kvelertak – Splid
5. Pallbearer – Forgotten Days
4. Hällas – Conundrum
3. Myrkur – Folkesange
2. Unleash the Archers – Abyss
1. Sólstafir – Endless Twilight of Codependent Love
Read more: REVIEW: Polaris – The Death of Me, REVIEW: Katatonia – City Burials (Musicalypse Archive), REVIEW: Obsidian Kingdom – Meat Machine, REVIEW: Oceans of Slumber – Oceans of Slumber, Interview with Oceans of Slumber — “As the songs came to life, so did the new band.”, REVIEW: Kvelertak – Splid, Interview with Kvelertak – “I always wonder who all these people are backstage who drink our beer”, REVIEW: Hällas – Conundrum, Interview with Hällas — “We will carry the banner of Hällas.”, REVIEW: Myrkur – Folkesange, REVIEW: Unleash the Archers – Abyss, Interview with Unleash the Archers — “We didn’t want to write the same record again.”, REVIEW: Sólstafir – Endless Twilight of Codependent Love
Top 10 Finnish albums
10. Mygrain – V
9. Wolfheart – Wolves Of Karelia
8. Oranssi Pazuzu – Mestarin Kynsi
7. Marko Hietala – Pyre of the Black Heart
6. Apocalyptica – Cell-O
5. Smackbound – 20/20
4. Noumena – Anima
3. Lost Society – No Absolution
2. Nightwish – Human :II: Nature
1. Ensiferum – Thalassic
Read more: REVIEW: myGRAIN – V, Interview with myGRAIN, REVIEW: Wolfheart – Wolves of Karelia, REVIEW: Oranssi Pazuzu – Mestarin Kynsi, Interview with Oranssi Pazuzu, REVIEW: Marko Hietala – Pyre Of The Black Heart, Interview with Marko Hietala, REVIEW: Apocalyptica – Cell-0, Interview with Apocalyptica, REVIEW: Smackbound – 20/20, Interview with Smackbound, REVIEW: Noumena – Anima, REVIEW: Lost Society – No Absolution, Interview with Lost Society, REVIEW: Nightwish – HUMAN. :II: NATURE., Interview with Nightwish, REVIEW: Ensiferum – Thalassic, Interview with Ensiferum
Top 3 EPs
3. Mercury Circle – The Dawn of Vitriol
2. Midnight Dice – Hypnotized
1. Fever 333 – Wrong Generation
Read more: REVIEW: Mercury Circle – EP The Dawn of Vitriol, Interview with Mercury Circle, REVIEW: Fever 333 – Wrong Generation
Best livestream concert
Ensiferum’s Thalassic “release party livestream” on July 10th.
Read more: 10.7.2020 Ensiferum @ Sonic Pump Studios, Helsinki
Most promising act
Smackbound
Read more: REVIEW: Smackbound – 20/20, Interview with Smackbound
Top 5 music videos
5. Killer Be Killed – “Dream Gone Bad”
4. Nightwish – “Noise”
3. Sylosis – “Worship Decay”
2. System Of A Down – “Protect The Land”
1. Gojira – “Another World”
Top 5 lyric videos
5. Moonspell – “The Greater Good”
4. ssSHhh – “Weight Of The World”
3. Rise Against – “Broken Dreams, Inc.” (DC – Dark Nights: Death Metal Version)
2. Orden Ogan – “Heart Of The Android”
1. DevilDriver – “Keep Away From Me”
Top 5 international songs
5. DevilDriver – “Wishing”
4. Polaris – “Hypermania”
3. Kill The Lights – “Shed My Skin”
2. Fever 333 – “Bite Back”
1. Gojira – “Another World”
Read more: Interview with DevilDriver, REVIEW: Polaris – The Death of Me, REVIEW: Fever 333 – Wrong Generation
Top 5 Finnish songs
5. Oranssi Pazuzu – “Uusi teknokratia”
4. Lost Society – “Artificial”
3. Marko Hietala – “Stones”
2. Nightwish – “Noise”
1. Ensiferum – “Andromeda”
Read more: REVIEW: Oranssi Pazuzu – Mestarin Kynsi, Interview with Oranssi Pazuzu, REVIEW: Lost Society – No Absolution, Interview with Lost Society, REVIEW: Marko Hietala – Pyre Of The Black Heart, Interview with Marko Hietala, REVIEW: Nightwish – HUMAN. :II: NATURE., Interview with Nightwish, Interview with Ensiferum, REVIEW: Ensiferum – Thalassic
Top 5 best last-minute songs
5. Orden Ogan – “Heart Of The Android”
4. Blame Me! – “Fire, Fuel and Scars”
3. Fleshgod Apocalypse – “No”
2. Sylosis – “Worship Decay”
1. Leprous – “Castaway Angels”
Top 5 cover art
5. The Black Dahlia Murder – Verminous
4. Polaris – The Death of Me
3. Ensiferum – Thalassic
2. Sólstafir – Endless Twilight of Codependent Love
- Noumena – Anima
Best collaboration
CueStack feat. David Hasselhoff – “Through the Night.” Just kidding, my real choice is Emma Ruth Rundle & Thou – “May Our Chambers Be Full.”
Top 5 most anticipated releases of 2021
5. Harakiri for the Sky – Mære
4. Soen – Imperial
3. Evergrey – Escape of the Phoenix
2. Epica – Omega
1. While She Sleeps – Sleeps Society
Want to share your lists with us? Comment below with your lists.
The whole Tuonela Magazine team wishes you an inspirational 2021 filled with a lot of new music to discover. We hope to see you back next year!
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