Now that the year 2021 is coming to a close, we at Tuonela Magazine want to share the releases we enjoyed the most. Each of our staff members will share their own lists, so here is the list of journalist Peter Jerman…
It was a year full of unexpected turns and twists. I let go of all my expectations and allowed myself to be surprised by the bands I follow. Furthermore, I, for one, made time for quality listening and found it extremely beneficial. Due to the pandemic and limited opportunities for activities outside of the home, it was time to reconsider how I listened and decided to devote more time to music. Not only that, but I challenged myself to step outside my comfort zone and explore new horizons with a turntable and a CD player, devoting hours to listening time. So, as we start the new year, I challenge each of you to rediscover the power of music. Taking time to pick something new to listen to is a great way to help restore passion for music and its transformative power.
Top 10 International albums
10. Jinjer – “Wallflowers”
9. Gojira – “Fortitude“
8. Foo Fighters – “Medicine at Midnight“
7. At The Gates – “The Nightmare Of Being“
6. Carcass – “Torn Arteries“
5. Cryptosis – “Bionic Swarm“
4. Smith/Kotzen – “Smith/Kotzen“
3. Iron Maiden – “Senjutsu“
2. Nanga Parbat – “Downfall and Torment“
1. Mastodon – “Hushed and Grim”
Read more: REVIEW: Jinjer – Wallflowers | REVIEW: Gojira – Fortitude | REVIEW: At The Gates – The Nightmare Of Being | REVIEW: Cryptosis – Bionic Swarm | REVIEW: Iron Maiden – Senjutsu | REVIEW: Nanga Parbat – Downfall and Torment | REVIEW: Mastodon – Hushed and Grim
Top 10 Finnish albums
10. Astral Bazaar – “A Sudden Realization“
9. Korpiklaani – “Jylhä“
8. Langenneet – “Aionin soihtu“
7. Einvigi – “Sielulintu“
6. Hooded Menace – “The Tritonus Bell“
5. Slack Bird – “Hämärään“
4. Evil Drive – “Demons Within“
3. Luna Kills – “not to be bitter, but it helps“
2. Ocean Dark – “Hope & Chaos“
1. Dub Vallila – “Dub Mystique“
Read more: REVIEW: Astral Bazaar – A Sudden Realization | REVIEW: Korpiklaani – Jylhä | REVIEW: Langenneet – Aionin soihtu | REVIEW: Einvigi – Sielulintu | REVIEW: Hooded Menace – The Tritonus Bell | REVIEW: Slack Bird – Hämärään | REVIEW: Evil Drive – Demons Within | REVIEW: Luna Kills – not to be bitter, but it helps | REVIEW: Ocean Dark – Hope & Chaos
Top 3 EPs
3. Psychework – “Victorious“
2. Joe Below – “No Control“
1. Orbiter – “The Deluge“
Read more: FEATURED SINGLE: Psychework – Victorious | REVIEW: Jo Below – EP: No Control | REVIEW: Orbiter – EP: The Deluge
Best livestream concert
Devin Townsend – “Ocean Machine in its entirety“
Read more: 01.05.2021 Devin Townsend: Ocean Machine in its entirety – Live Stream
Most promising act
Shereign
Read more: FEATURED SINGLE: Shereign – Losing Sight | FEATURED SINGLE: Shereign – Against the Odds
Top 5 music videos
5. Iron Maiden – The Writing On The Wall
4. Cryptosis – “Decypher“
3. Luna Kills – “liar, liar“
2. Ozzy Osburne “Hellraiser (30th Anniversary Edition – Official Animated Video)“
1. Mastodon – “Teardrinker“
Read more: REVIEW: Iron Maiden – Senjutsu | REVIEW: Luna Kills – not to be bitter, but it helps | Interview with Luna Kills — “We were going to make songs that make us happy.” | REVIEW: Ozzy Osbourne – Ordinary Man | REVIEW: Mastodon – Hushed and Grim
Top 5 lyric videos
5. Eddie Vedder – “The Haves“
4. The Darkness – “Motorheart“
3. Coheed and Cambria – “Rise, Naianasha (Cut The Cord)“
2. Helloween – “Indestructible“
1. Nanga Parbat – “Demon In The Snow”
Read more: REVIEW: The Darkness – Motorheart | Interview with The Darkness — “We should have called the album ‘Top Of Our Heads.’” | REVIEW: Nanga Parbat – Downfall and Torment | REVIEW: Helloween – Helloween | Interview with Helloween — “Everybody wants to be so perfect and we’ve been kind of searching for the imperfection because that makes you more human.”
Top 5 international songs
5. Lucifer – “Lucifer IV”
4. Smith/Kotzen – “Better Days“
3. Cryptosis – “Death Technology“
2. Nanga Parbat – “Demon In The Snow”
1. Mastodon – “Teardrinker“
Read more: REVIEW: Lucifer – Lucifer IV | REVIEW: Nanga Parbat – Downfall and Torment | REVIEW: Mastodon – Hushed and Grim
Top 5 Finnish songs
5. Astral Bazaar – “Food for Thought“
4. Ocean Dark – “Unspeakable“
3. Hooded Menace – “Those Who Absorb the Night“
2. Korpiklaani – “Ennen“
1. Luna Kills – “liar, liar“
Read more: REVIEW: Astral Bazaar – A Sudden Realization | REVIEW: Hooded Menace – The Tritonus Bell | REVIEW: Korpiklaani – Jylhä | Interview with Korpiklaani — “We wanted to make this album our ‘Painkiller.’” | REVIEW: Luna Kills – not to be bitter, but it helps | Interview with Luna Kills — “We were going to make songs that make us happy.”
Top 5 best last-minute songs
5. Hammerfall – “Hammer Of Dawn“
4. Mushroomhead – “A Requiem For Tomorrow“
3. Infected Rain – “The Realm Of Chaos“
2. Thulcandra – “A Dying Wish“
1. Wolftooth – “Ahab“
Top 5 cover art
5. Astral Bazaar
4. Iron Maiden
3. Luna Kills
2. Mastodon
1. Nanga Parbat
Read more: REVIEW: Nanga Parbat – Downfall and Torment | REVIEW: Mastodon – Hushed and Grim | REVIEW: Luna Kills – not to be bitter, but it helps | REVIEW: Iron Maiden – Senjutsu | REVIEW: Astral Bazaar – A Sudden Realization
Best collaboration
Smith/Kotzen – Better Days
Top 5 most anticipated releases of 2021
5. Avenged Sevenfold
4. Wilderun – “Epigone”
3. Dear Mother
2. Puscifer
1. Blind Guardian
Want to share your lists with us? Comment below with your lists.
The whole Tuonela Magazine team wishes you an inspirational 2022 filled with a lot of new music to discover. We hope to see you back next year!
