Every year, I swear that this list becomes increasingly difficult. Hendrix and I will sit down and try to determine together who we feel we want on the list, but it never feels like there are enough spots. I always feel I am forgetting or not adding way too many bands. Every band on here is beyond deserving. They all put all of their heart, soul, and a piece of themselves into their music. Please check them all out! So through our blood, sweat, and tears, here is our list of top albums for 2025. I am also adding links to the sections of bands I have interviewed for these releases or in the past.
25. Katatonia – Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State. To have Katatonia this far down on my list makes me almost nauseous. I have been a fan for many years, and will continue to be. This album is beautiful all the way through, and that just shows you how insane the competition was this year. This entire album is exactly what I love about Katatonia, with consistency yet little surprises here and there. It is charm and elegance mixed with some of the best musicianship when it comes to composition. I highly encourage you all to listen to it all, in its entirety. Interview here.
24. Lunar – Tempora Mutantur. It is no surprise to see Lunar on my list again. This experimental, progressive band is
everything I love about music. Insane musicianship, interesting twists and turns, beautiful artwork. They have it all, and I swear they just get better album after album. I did not think they would top The Illusionist, but Tempora Mutantur took us on an even wilder adventure that I simply cannot get enough of. If you are not familiar with them, you need to change that, and I would start with this release. Exotic, clean, and harsh vocals, and some of the best compositions you will hear. Why do I have it so far down on this list? Now I am second-guessing that. Interview here.
23. Mainstream Scare – Sound & Static. It is nice to come across bands in the “wild” that you find you are really excited about and thoroughly enjoy, and Mainstream Scare is one of those bands. This three-piece has come with some impressive talent, which includes all three harmonizing at times through the metalcore subgenre element of their foundation. These close friends have created something special, and I look forward to continuing to see what they do moving forward. Bringing the heavy with melodic parts and important topics, my favorite mix, the deep lyrical tone of this album adds to the rawness they have brought to the table, and the transparency we sometimes crave in our musical outlets. I don’t know about all of you, but I appreciate it when musicians do this because it brings an extra therapeutic element to my listening experience. A must listen! Interview here.
22. Volumes – Mirror Touch. From heavy breakdowns to melodic soundscapes to ethereal songs, Mirror Touch has a
little bit of everything, wrapped in a beautifully emotional bow. This is the second release with vocalists Michael Barr and Myke Terry, two insanely talented musicians who complement each other very well. The track “Worth It” brings forth some complicated feelings about death and how it is ok to feel what and how you feel without having to respond the cliche way that is considered “appropriate”. I really appreciate this thought-provoking topic and can only imagine how much comfort it will bring to those who have dealt with these complicated emotions in their life with people they have lost. Since this band is no stranger to this topic, they cover it with much grace. Check it out! Interview here.
21. Arch Enemy – Blood Dynasty. Way back in the 1900’s, a band named Arch Enemy entered the world and everyone’s heart. This legendary band is now celebrating 30 years of music with their release, Blood Dynasty, the 12th studio album to date. I could not think of a better way not only to celebrate, but also to continue to show how brilliant musicians they are, as well as continuing to throw a few surprises around. If you have yet to jump into the Arch Enemy ring, I highly encourage you to do so with this release. Blood Dynasty doesn’t have a bad track. Every single one of them is full of life, an incredible journey of melodies, heaviness, and heart.
20. Despised Icon – Shadow Work. Anyone who has listened to this album understands why it is on the list. Shadow
Work is full of some insane guitar and drum work, with aggressive and brutal vocals. The many breakdowns and heavy riffs make it a journey to experience in its entirety, which I suggest you do. This Canadian deathcore band shows you can take the genre and throw it into a blender of intensity and technicality, and it comes out edible and enjoyable. Having two vocalists shows the fluidity of two talented humans flowing together flawlessly. Add in the insane musicianship, and it is a recipe for a nearly perfect album. If you like deathcore on speed, definitely give this one a spin.
19. Nefarious – Addicted to Power. As if the lineup isn’t enough to convince you, with members from Exodus/Diehumane, Death Angel, Heathen/Anvil Chorus, and Blind Illusion/Ancient Mariner, the combination creates an incredible formula for a sincerely badass band. Taking on a modern version of thrash, Nefarious bends the genre to a mixture of all things rock and metal we have grown to appreciate throughout the years. The mastery of musicianship is obvious with this debut release, and I look forward to what they will be presenting to us in the future!
18. Killswitch Engage – This Consequence. I am a self-proclaimed fan of this band, and they have yet to release an 
album or song I don’t thoroughly enjoy. While both vocalists are extremely talented, I have a big soft spot for Jesse Leach, as his lyrics really speak to inspiration and hope, and tend to help me feel like just maybe everything will be ok. This Consequence is another beautiful album created by this very special band. The incredibly catchy riffs, melodic compositions, and continual important topics have made this band extremely popular, for good reason. This album holds along with the prior albums, and if you have hopped off the KE train at any point, I suggest you hop back on.
17. Orbit Culture – Death Above Life. A few years ago, you couldn’t go anywhere in the metal world without hearing the name, Orbit Culture. I got to a point where I thought, I don’t remember ever having the same band name be so hyped and talked about, and thankfully, also deliver for me personally. Orbit Culture has a big diversity from track to track; you don’t know what you are going to hear minute to minute, but you do know you are going to most likely enjoy it. Death Above Life is another incredible representation of this and is an exploration of emotions, compositions, and everything in between. Interview here.
16. Jinjer – Duel. Jinjer is one of my all-time favorite bands. Between Tatiana’s insane vocal range, the beyond
incredible progressive and complex compositions, and the highly important topics and purpose behind the lyrics, they are one of those bands I immediately will jump to listen to. The talent that bleeds within these musicians is almost inconceivable. Duel is another impressive and significant release. Especially with the difficulty they face within their home country lately, and how the topic is not something they are shying away from. Raising awareness tends to be just as important as the music, and I have a lot of respect for that. I will never sleep on them, and neither should you.
15. Machine Head – Unathoned. Not only is this album wildly creative, but the consistency this band is able to have while also pushing the envelope and not releasing the same album over and over is also almost wizardry. I went into this one curious and prepared for anything and came out on the other side refreshed and energized. Hendrix has placed this album very high with his respect for the musicianship and live performances. This is one of the many bands and albums we easily agreed on and shared as a listening experience.
14. Rivers of Nihil – Rivers of Nihil. I think this band is one of the most talented bands that are out there currently. I
never knew how much I would love a saxophone, especially in metal, but they sold me long ago, and now I almost look forward to that part of the music. This self-titled release is another magnificent journey that I never grow weary of. As soon as I push play, I am in it for the long haul, and I enjoy every minute of it. The constant melodic shifts, powerful vocals, and profound musicianship make Rivers of Nihil a force to be reckoned with in the metal scene. Thankfully, the community is mostly all-inclusive, so others don’t necessarily have to battle them, because it would be a battle to the death with RoN coming out on top.
13. Beneath the Hollow – Heads & Hooves. Technically, this is an EP, but the six songs that are presented within this release deserve to be on this list. There is so much amazing music out there, and it sometimes feels impossible to even begin to keep up with it all. It is difficult to be thoroughly impressed anymore as well due to the over-saturation, but every once in a while, a band pops up that renews that excitement, and Beneath the Hollow has been that for me. While they are far from a new band, they have reunited and added a new vocalist. This mix of events brought them to another level, which is impressive in every way. There is not one filler track, and this short 26-minute excursion will most likely turn into a much longer one, as I am sure you will be repeating the listen immediately after first consumption. One track even features the insanely talented Chaney Crabb of Entheos, who is a well-respected vocalist in the scene. Interview here.
12. Death Rattle – The Moral Chokehold. This release features some incredible metal music moments and remains
enjoyable throughout. One thing I especially enjoy about Death Rattle is their lyrical content and what they are putting out there for others to think about and feel some sort of mutual understanding with the fans and audience. I really appreciate it when bands take the time to put so much emotion and thought-provoking words into their lyrics. They have an aggressive and groovy sound with catchy riffs. The fact that the name for this band was not already taken by a metal band is almost shocking. It is one of the most “metal” names out there, and they definitely fit the name. Interview here.
11. Unprocessed – Angel. If you could name one band that speaks to your soul, flows with your heartbeat, and just makes your life more enjoyable, who would you choose? Unprocessed is by far one that burns so deep within me and buries itself in my bones. The last release in 2023, And Everything In Between, hit very high on my list, and I can only foresee any future release maintaining a higher ranking. This progressive metal band has so many interesting compositions and raw talent within every single member. Every time I listen to or watch them, my jaw drops at the brilliance of the way they all master their craft. Manuel’s ability to play preposterous melodies and solos while singing and growling is something that will forever attract my attention. Angel is just another spectacular release.
10. The Acacia Strain – You Are Safe From God Here. This album is so beautifully brutal and aggressive, it hits all the
marks for an intense and high-energy experience. The constant melody shifts keep you on your toes the whole way through. Throw in the groovy riffs, dynamic drumbeats, and harsh vocals that force you to make that metal face, and you have yourself a real winner with You Are Safe From God Here. This album also features God’s Hate and Blackwater Holylight.
9. Bleeding Through – NINE. NINE is a glimpse inside mental health, the difficulties of love, and the world around us, with how society has been treating each other. It has some deep, relatable, lyrical content, and some heavy-hitting riffs, fast beats, and a whole lot of heart. The harmonizing between Peterson and Schieppati is appeasing to the ear and takes my heart on a wild ride. They have also added in some big names like God Forbid, Shadows Fall, and Comeback Kid in this release. It is a cohesive and incredibly dark and heavy album full of everything you want from Bleeding Through, and more. Interview here.
8. The Halo Effect – March Of The Unheard. Supergroups are always an exciting thing to see; a supergroup made up
of members with one band in common is extremely rare. The Halo Effect has members who have all been involved with the band, In Flames, (which is one of my all-time favorite bands), as well as a member from Dark Tranquility. Arguably, the two best bands out of Sweden, so you go into this project knowing it is going to be special. I instantly became a huge fan, and I simply cannot wait to see where they go from here. March of the Unheard is a beast of an album. It begins with a melodious keyboard, then the drums, bass, and guitars jump into the same melody. Stanne’s familiar harsh vocals join in to create the perfect start to the album. “The Burning Point” is another track that sticks with me. The cascading soundscape of guitarwork makes you feel like your heart is dancing with the rhythm. My soul takes a wild ride with that one. Interview here.
7. Netherwalker – Odyssy of Respair. While this album dropped late in the year, it completely made Hendrix revamp our top albums list exponentially. So we went from fairly comfortable to where we had placed everything, to “well shit” when we both heard Odyssy of Respair. The most interesting part of this album is the way this band has so many soundscapes in one album. It keeps the listener really engaged with the music, curious about what they may incorporate next in the tracks. Beginning with a very ethereal, almost angelic sound with strings and with two children speaking, to dipping into a face-melting guitar solo and ruthless vocals, just makes the hair stand up on the arms, it is so beautifully done. The continual guitar work and musical transitions this album takes you on is one of my favorite new escapades I continually enjoy jumping back into.
6. Fit For a King – Lonely God. Metal is a genre that has an insane amount of subgenres, and many metalheads will
find their preferred subgenre and stick with it. Some bands can break through the genre mold, and Fit for a King is one of those bands. They have a perfect mix of harsh vocals mixed with melodic singing and aggressive riffs that work so beautifully. Not only are they brilliant musically, but their live show is one of the best I have seen. Lonely God is an incredible album full of important topics and happens to be their first lore-type album, and is a very inspirational album full of extraordinary musicianship and compositions. I have listened to it an insane number of times and will continue to. Interview here.
5. Heavy//Hitter – Coming To Terms. Another EP, but another spot well-deserved. One of the best things about metal is the subgenres, mixing of subgenres, and diversity within. Just because it fits under the metal umbrella doesn’t at all mean you know what you are about to experience, and I think that is where it has grown exponentially. Heavy//Hitter has a unique sound while also complementing some aggressive, metalcore/hardcore, as well as deathcore influences. It is difficult to categorize, which is one of my favorite genres in the metal world, the “I don’t know really where to put them” category. The entire EP is just brutal and so much fun to shove into your ears. I dare you to attempt to sit still while listening. If you haven’t checked these guys out yet, you will not be disappointed when you finally do. Interview here.
4. Upon a Burning Body – Blood of the Bull. How much do I love this album? Let me count thy ways. Going out on
their own has never sounded so damn good, and I am beyond glad they decided to self-release, because clearly they know what they are doing. This Texas band has taken my heart and soul with the catchy riffs, insane vocalizations, and crafty compositions. The Mexican cultural influences they add to their music are always a special extension of the metalcore genre they seem to perfect. I would not even put them under that umbrella, because they do a great job of mixing genres. This is one album I will continue to go back and listen to; you should do the same. Interview here.
3. Born of Osiris – Through Shadows. Hendrix has become a huge fan of Born of Osiris, mostly due to their incredible guitar work. As a guitar player himself, he has enjoyed learning these solos and recreating them. After seeing them live, his love for them only grew, and it is easy to understand why. Not only are the live shows a spectacle to behold, but the musicianship is next level. Through Shadows has those familiar electronic beats mixed in the music and melody shifts that we both enjoy, if that is not clear this far into the article. It maintains a strong presence and demands your attention, which is a difficult thing to do anymore. I really love this album.
2. Igorrr – Amen. Experimental metal is a genre I never grow weary of. Between the creativity and unpredictability, it keeps me on my toes and piques my interest throughout. Igorrr is one of the best bands to perfect this, and Amen is a continuation of this bizarre and incredible musicianship and compositions. With some menacing piano and synth work, ethereal choirs, and harsh vocals on top of stellar riffs, exceptional drum work, and just all around some of the best instrumentation music has to offer, Amen takes you on a weird and wild ride you will not want to get off of. When you add in their completely off-the-wall, quirky, and fun videos, you have a recipe for one of the best gifts music has to offer. Interview here.
1. Spite – New World Killer. It is so wild to me that an album based on anger hit a really soft spot with me. I tend to be a very positive person, and while I love “angry” music, it usually doesn’t evoke an emotional response, until now. SPITE is releasedmtheir latest album, New World Order, and I simply cannot stop listening to it and feeling all the emotions. I have had it on a loop while working out, making dinner, sitting down, and completely digesting it. Basically enveloping my whole soul into this album that is such a rarity for me; it has me confused and intrigued. Once in a while, there is an album that has a really big impact on you. One that every time you turn it on, your body vibrates with excitement and energy because your soul recognizes it feels like home. To have a death metal/metalcore album do this to the extent this album and band have is almost astonishing. Yet, here I am, loving this album with every fiber of my being. Interview here.
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