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 Wille Karttunen.
Our world was turned upside down in many ways this year, and that also applied to some of my favorite bands: KATATONIA and PARADISE LOST let me down with their previous releases, but both bands bounced back big time, putting out my two favorite albums of the year, whereas (what looks to be) FATES WARNING‘s swansong, “Long Day Good Night,” suffered a little due to its extensive runtime of over 70 minutes and couldn’t quite compete with my favorite album of 2016, “Theories of Flight.” OCEANS OF SLUMBER‘s self-titled album could’ve also used some trimming, but despite that they’re my most interesting metal discovery of the year. In fact, while even the aforementioned KATATONIA and PARADISE LOST albums aren’t 10/10 material or among their absolute best works in my books, I can’t think of any downright disappointing or weak releases from this year either, as most albums were quite solid overall, and brought plenty of comfort in the trying times that we’ve been living in lately without the solace of live music.
Top International albums
7. Oceans of Slumber – Oceans of Slumber
6. Fates Warning – Long Day Good Night
5. The Night Flight Orchestra – Aeromantic
4. Haken – Virus
3. Dark Tranquillity – Moment
2. Paradise Lost – Obsidian
1. Katatonia – City Burials
Read more: REVIEW: Oceans of Slumber – Oceans of Slumber, Interview with Oceans of Slumber, REVIEW: The Night Flight Orchestra – Aeromantic, REVIEW: Haken – Virus, Interview with Haken, REVIEW: Dark Tranquillity – Moment, REVIEW: Paradise Lost – Obsidian, Interview with Paradise Lost, REVIEW: Katatonia – City Burials
Best livestream concert
Katatonia – Live from Studio Gröndahl
Read more: REVIEW: Katatonia – City Burials
Top 5 music videos
5. Katatonia – The Winter of Our Passing
4. Dark Tranquillity – The Dark Unbroken
3. The Night Flight Orchestra – Taurus
2. Paradise Lost – Darker Thoughts
1. Fates Warning – Begin Again
Top lyric videos
3. Oceans of Slumber – Pray for Fire
2. Paradise Lost – Ghosts
- Fates Warning – Now Comes the Rain
Top 5 international songs
5. Fates Warning – The Way Home
4. Dark Tranquillity – Standstill
3. Paradise Lost – Forsaken
2. Haken – Carousel
1. Katatonia – Rein
Read more: REVIEW: Dark Tranquillity – Moment, REVIEW: Paradise Lost – Obsidian, Interview with Paradise Lost, REVIEW: Haken – Virus , Interview with Haken, REVIEW: Katatonia – City Burials
Top 5 cover art
5. The Night Flight Orchestra – Aeromantic
4. Haken – Virus
3. Caligula’s Horse – Rise Radiant
2. Paradise Lost – Obsidian
1. Dark Tranquillity – Moment
Best collaboration
Katatonia – “Vanishers” ft. Anni Bernhard
Most anticipated releases of 2021
2. Soen – Imperial
1. Steven Wilson – The Future Bites
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!
