For its twelfth edition, Steelfest is as robust as ever. Once again, metal enthusiasts from around the globe will converge on the typically serene city of Hyvinkää from May 16th to May 18th for three days of extreme metal revelry. This year, in particular, about half of the attendees hail from outside Finland, underscoring the event’s international acclaim. It has solidified its status as a cornerstone of the early festival season for many, and one of the most revered gatherings of its kind, especially here in the northern reaches of Europe. Consistently hosted at Villatehdas (conveniently loc ..read more

Metal music and mythology go hand in hand way better than one might probably believe, covering a lot of ground from mythological-inspired songs to full albums (case in point: BLACK FATE’s “Ithaca”). Among such vast topics, one of the metal scene’s favorites is the myth of the legendary bird that rises from its own ashes – the Phoenix. While sometimes the name only makes for a cool title, most of the time it actually has to do with the theme of rebirth and resurrection. Here are 15 metal songs that have this common thread:  part of the artwork for the album “Operation Phoenix” by Crowne En ..read more

For about a decade, Finnish metal act SONATA ARCTICA have veered away from the fast and furious power metal compositions, they once were so known for. However, with the announcement of their eleventh studio album, “Clear Cold Beyond,” set for release on March 8th, 2024, via Atomic Fire Records, the power metal maestros assured fans a return to their roots. While the first singles hinted that that just so might be the case, skeptics questioned whether these were the only fast-paced power metal offerings on the entire record. We were invited to the band’s prelistening event for Finnish press on ..read more

For several days now, we’ve been sharing each of our journalists’ favorite releases of 2023. Now, we’ve collected what our Finnish top 10 of 2023’s best albums were according to our staff! Check the top 10 here… 10. Balance Breach – ABYZMAL 9. Bjørkø – Heartrot 8. Amorphis – Queen of Time (Live at Tavastia 2021) 7. Marianas Rest – Auer 6. Grave Pleasures – Plagueboys 5. … And Oceans – As In Gardens, So in Tombs 4. Pressure Points – The Island 3. Warmen – Here For None 2. Bloodred Hourglass – How’s the Heart? 1. Insomnium – Anno 1696 ..read more

For several days now, we’ve been sharing each of our journalists’ favorite releases of 2023. Now, we’ve collected what our international top 10 of 2023’s best albums were according to our staff! Check the top 10 here… 10. Earthside: Let the Truth Speak 9. Riverside – ID.Entity 8. In Flames – Foregone 7. Avatar – Dance Devil Dance 6. Within Temptation 5. Myrkur – Spine 4. Orbit Culture – Descent 3. Periphery – Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre 2. TesseracT – War of Being 1. Haken – Fauna ..read more

Our staff have each shared their lists of the best of 2023, these were the songs they listed all combined! Listen here to the best of 2023 ..read more

As we bid farewell to 2023, come along with us for a series of interviews with a few artists. We’ll chat with them about their experiences, challenges, and successes throughout the year. These talks give you a close-up view of what happened in the metal music scene in 2023. We chatted with Petri Lindroos and Antti Wirman of WARMEN to see how the melodic death metal band have experienced 2023. Hi there! Thanks so much for taking time to do this interview right before your show. Since this is an interview to wrap up 2023, how has the year been for WARMEN since you re-formed the band? Petri: Qui ..read more

Now that 2023 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 Peter Jerman… Throughout this year, the music scene exploded with creativity in rock, metal, punk, and related styles. Loads of albums and countless singles emerged, each aiming to grab attention and leave their tunes stuck in your head. Among the whirlwind of new releases, bursting with passion, the objective was clear: to hook listeners and secure a spot in eager fans’ playlists. For those who love the ru ..read more

While we are finally done looking back on 2023, we’re set on the future. We gathered 10 album releases in 2024 that were already confirmed that we’re collectively very excited about. Saxon – Hell, Fire and Damnation RELEASE DATE: January 19th, 2024 SAXON, a legend in the heavy metal scene, is ready to unleash “Hell, Fire, and Damnation.” Fans can expect the band to deliver their trademark powerful and anthemic metal, continuing their legacy with another hard-hitting release. Persefone – Lingua Ignota: Part I RELEASE DATE: February 2nd, 2024 PERSEFONE‘s “Lingua Ignota: Part I” promises to b ..read more

Ah! In the blink of an eye, 2023 has passed. Every year, hundreds of metal and rock acts release new material and this year was no different. We had to check out which albums from the epicenter of heavy metal (re: Finland) are albums that we’re going to take with us to 2024. Introducing our selection of 25 Finnish metal albums from 2023 that promise to remain on our playlists well into 2024. From the northern landscapes that have inspired some of the most iconic bands to the innovative sounds emerging from vibrant cities, this list celebrates the diverse and enduring contributions of Finnish m ..read more