FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2025
Survived another year. Bravo! Despite the uneasy trappings of AI music, the increasing global tensions, the privilege and challenges of raising a sweet, good-hearted but confused and nuclear tempered teenage girl, and what seems to be a case of complete moral bankruptcy as I peak through the digital looking glass, for me as a music enthusiast and disciple of art in general, it is quite the time to be alive!
In 2025 I forged a deeper fondness for some artists, welcomed back some bands I had lost track of, and there was one surprise in particular that really ignited a light in me. It’s all here in this list. The one unforgivable sin is that I haven’t delved into the the latest PARADISE LOST album, absolute disgraceful behavior.
LABYRINTH – IN THE VANISHING ECHOES OF GOODBYE
The first highlight is one of the “welcome back” variety. I lost track of the band for many years, and then out of the blue… KAPOW! This album simply put, blew me away! I’m glad that it found its way into my life. Prog / Power metal of the European type, first class through and through. Shred-tastic, tasteful when called for, passionate and extremely well produced. My alliance with the Italians has been rekindled!
AVATARIUM – BETWEEN YOU, GOD, THE DEVIL AND THE DEAD
I enjoy some bands that are heavy, but aren’t really heavy metal. This band sounds vintage yet fresh on album number six. Big hooks, ethereal redemption, seventies rock bombast, even some crushing doom, there’s enough of variety. Having a strong vocalist is what ultimately makes or breaks this kind of music, and thankfully the Swedes have the soulful and inimitable Jennie Ann Smith, making everything believable.
ABDUCTION – EXISTENTIALISMUS
A new acquaintance. The name does ring a bell for some years, that British black metal band that everyone raves on about. It was the video for “Razors of Occam” that drew me into “Existentialismus”. What a banger! Few black metal albums tend to penetrate into my innermost chambers of dark feels, but this one did, probably because of the tangibility of the themes being explored. Also, the musical arrangement are top-tier, from dark riffs, hypnotic vocals to eerie atmospheres and interesting song-structures.
BINAH – ÓNKOS
I have pondered about the status of this band. It seemed they’d faded into obscurity, and then this album hits! And man does it hit hard! I’ve coined to phrase “this year’s “Absolute Elsewhere” and am trying to push it as much as I can. Two gargantuan tracks that challenge the senses, but never does it go dull or repetitive. A progressive death metal rollercoaster that’s cosmic, brutal and cerebral. More people need to discover this album!
EVERON – SHELLS
Another “welcome back” type of album. I was listening to EVERON in the late nineties and early naughties, but then they dropped off the map. What I love about this comeback album is the modern production, which gives the band a seriously heavy sound, without loosing the prog / symphonic core of their songwriting approach. Plenty of great choruses and that unique modest EVERON mood is ever present. Rest in peace Christian Moos, who sadly passed before the completion of album.
PHANTOM – TYRANTS OF WRATH
This might be my favorite “throwback” band nowadays. Mexico’s rogue metal squad deliver time after time, third year in a row now. The band’s second full-length encapsulates everything there needs to be in eighties metal mayhem, meshing all sorts of minute proto extreme metal bits together the ancient heavy metal spirit. Add to that a villain like attitude and you’ve got yourself a thunderous metal attack! Very important to have these kinds of bands in today’s metal landscape!
KADAVAR – I JUST WANT TO BE A SOUND
This one came fairly late into my trajectory. Released back in May, I only started listening to it circa two months ago but man this thing is addictive once the melodies sink in. I’ll admit, this is different from the rest of the list, but I’ve always loved what these guys have been doing. Really catchy songs wrapped in a glowing sound production that’ll make you bop like there’s no tomorrow. My favorite aspect of this album are the vocals, loving those harmonies and simple yet memorable melodies
THE HAUNTED – SONGS OF LAST RESORT
No false pride. No fashion. No fake set of values. Time to separate the men from the boys. I was overjoyed to have the opportunity to witness another THE HAUNTED album. I kinda had forgotten that they existed since it’s like eight years since their last album. This album carries lethal aggression and immaculate songwriting. Men in their mid fifties and still putting out such energizing performances is admirable. Did I mention the riffs? Holy hell…
ABIGAIL WILLIAMS – A VOID WITHIN EXISTENCE
I never understood the criticism. I’ve always felt that the band has walked their own path. After immersing myself in this album, my affinity for ABIGAIL WILLIAMS has only strengthened. Stepping into an extreme metal vortex like this one, is both highly interesting and emotionally draining, hence the existential album title. Brutal and ethereal qualities are connected in such a captivating fashion, it almost becomes psychedelic. It definitely feels like you’ve gone through something when done with this album. Catharsis.
AMORPHIS – BORDERLAND
The biggest surprise of the year. I haven’t been excited about an AMORPHIS album since “Circle”, but here I am, giving a verdict on the band’s fifteenth long-player. My verdict is as follows: 1) Arguably the band’s best produced album (thanks Jacob Hansen I guess). 2) This album contains the band’s most mature songwriting. I mean these songs are slick, pristine, super catchy and hit a special aura of melancholy that only Finns can produce. 3) “Borderland” is the band’s catchiest / most pop sounding album, which is not a bad thing in this case, not bad at all.
OTHER SHOUT-OUTS:
COLTSBLOOD – OBSCURED IN TO NEBULOUS DUSK
SUFFERING HOUR – IMPELLING REBIRTH EP
PHRENELITH – ASHEN WOMB
FROSTMOON ECLIPSE – AS TIME RETREATS
DEATHHAMMER – CRIMSON DAWN
