My top 10 of 2025. Every one of these albums is incredible and they will all be in my regular rotation for a long time. I genuinely think all of them would be worth listening to. If an album turns out to not be your thing, that’s totally fair. Continuing the trend of Part 1 and Part 2, black metal dominates this list. 2025 was one of the best years for black metal that I can remember.
#10 - Darkness Invisible by Mors Principium Est
Melodic Death Metal from Finland
One of my favorite melodic death metal bands, and bands in general. This one was not quite as good as their last one but still good enough for top 10 this year. Every one of their albums is great.
#9 - The Ossuary Lens by Allegaeon
Technical Melodic Death Metal from the United States
Another one of my favorite bands. Their original vocalist is back for this release and it sounds more like their older stuff, which is good in my mind. Some clean vocals in here but it’s not too much and not in every track so I don’t mind it. Greg Burgess’ guitars are incredible as expected.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#8 - Divinum Sanguinem by Ildaruni
Atmospheric Black Metal from Armenia
Second album from this band. This is one of those albums that kind of surprised me. I initially listened to it because it’s atmospheric black metal but it just blew me away the first listen. From their Bandcamp, “Its music captures intensity through towering soundscapes, layered with precision and aggression, while their lyrical vision delves into the arcane mysteries of worlds long past.”
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#7 - The Last Swordsman by Endrøm
Melodic Black Metal from Indonesia
Much the same as the #8, this one really blew me away and I was not expecting it. One of the best surprises of the year for me.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#6 - Tooth and Nail by Dormant Ordeal
Atmospheric Death Metal from Poland
This one was on my new release list when it came out in April but was not on my radar to listen to. I saw people talking about it on social media so I gave it a listen and, well, it’s in my top 10. Incredible release. Picking up some Hath vibes in here which is certainly not a bad thing.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#5 - When Night Rode Across the North by Haimad
Melodic Black Metal from Sweden
Really amazing melo black in the style of 90’s Scandinavian black metal. After releasing a few EP’s in the 90’s they took a long hiatus. Founding member, Azradan, resurrected the project with an all new lineup and released this debut full length album. Listening to this album reminds me of finding new black metal in the late 90’s / early 2000’s. It just has that feel and it’s fantastic.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#4 - Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum by Hæresis
Atmospheric Post Black Metal from Germany
Phenomenal female fronted post black metal. Debut album and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them. From their website, “German black metal act Hæresis is devoted to balancing ethereal atmospheres and raw energy into a blend that is unparalleled. An enduring expression of existential turmoil, profound discontent and ferocious power forms the foundation for the cathartic act of deliverance that Hæresis embodies.”
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#3 - Bioluminescence by Dawn of Ouroboros
Progressive Post Black Metal from the United States
This one caught me by surprise. Phenomenal progressive black metal. Vocalist Chelsea Murphy is extremely versatile with her growls, screams and incredible jazzy cleans. The combination is fascinating and it just works so well. I can’t seem to get enough of this one.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#2 - I I by Blood Abscission
Atmospheric Black Metal from an unknown origin
Absolutely incredible album. One of those albums that makes you feel something and transports you somewhere else. The band says: “United in pain, we step into the abyss – not as mere individuals, but as a collective force seeking meaning within the chaos, finding a voice in the silence between the stars.”
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#1 - V by Walg
Melodic Black Metal from the Netherlands
These two guys started this band in 2020 and have released an album every year, and they are already working on the next one for a 2026 release. They have all been really amazing but I think this is their best one to date. I had a little bit of a hard time picking between this one and Blood Abscission for number 1 but this is the album I listened to the most this year and it is still in my regular rotation. My mood normally dictates what kind of music I listen to and this is one of those rare albums that it doesn’t really matter what I feel like listening to, I can put this one on and listen to the whole thing straight through. Sometimes twice.
Great list brother. Admittedly, I’m a little disappointed to not see BlackBraid, Rivers of Nihil or In Mourning on the list, but still a great list nonetheless. Happy holidays!