Here is the first installment of my best albums of 2025. Those of you who read my 2024 list may remember that I seem to like things that are different than most people so my lists will most likely be much different than other lists out there. There are several albums that I saw a lot of people raving about that I just could not get into. Some I really wanted to like and they were even in the first part of my weekly lists under either “Stand Outs” or “Also Looking Forward to” section. One thing to note is I usually make note of any albums that have clean vocals. For me, cleans can complete ruin what would otherwise be an amazing album unless they are done very well.
#30 - Tyrannus Aeternum by Burned in Effigy
Neoclassical Melodic Death Metal from the United States
Second album from these guys out of Chicago. Some really great guitar work in this one and some acoustic sections.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#29 - Ethereal Horizons by Blut Aus Nord
Atmospheric Black Metal from France
Sixteenth album from this band. Late entry this year but it’s fantastic. Plenty of atmosphere in this release. To be honest, this should probably be higher on my list but with the timing of the release, I just didn’t have enough time to listen to it as much as the others. I don’t like all of their albums but their second album, Memoria Vetusta I: Fathers of the Icy Age, is one of my all time favorite albums and this one is up there with their best.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#28 - Verminous Contempt by Plague Curse
Blackened Death Metal with members from Australia, Canada and the United States
Debut album from this band featuring members of Drowstorm, Vahrzaw, Vintertodt, Burden of Ymir, Swamp Fiend, Calling of Phasmic Presence, and more.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#27 - Kadath by The Great Old Ones
Post Black Metal from France
Fifth album from this band with lyrics inspired by Lovecraft and this one is based on “The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath”. They have evolved their sound and added some progressive elements to this release and even sprinkled in some melodies here and there.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#26 - Painted Paradise by Fleshbore
Technical Melodic Death Metal from the US
Sophomore album from this band out of Indiana. A lot of things going on with this one, as would be expected with tech death, transferring between the technical parts and progressive passages, and spicing things up with brutal death metal bits. Bass work is outstanding with Cole Daniels from Demon King filling in here.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#25 - Eclipse by Embrace the Darkness
Melodic Death / Doom Metal from Czechia
Debut album from this band. It’s really great and I am looking forward to see what they come up with next.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#24 - Bellum Regiis by Hate
Blackened Death Metal from Poland
Bellum Regiis is Latin for “A War of Kings”. Outstanding blackened death metal. There are some Septicflesh vibes, mainly in the vocals, without the symphonic elements. This one came out in May and it is still in my regular rotation.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#23 - A Form Beyond by Unaligned
Progressive Blackened Technical Death Metal from the US
Featuring members of Withered Throne, Demon King, Fleshbore, Abyssalis and others, this is an incredible debut album. This one gets better the more I listen to it and I pick up more things going on. Cole Daniels from Demon King filling in on this album also.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#22 - Imperium Delirium by Shadow of Intent
Melodic Deathcore from the US
I’m not a huge deathcore fan in general but there’s something about Shadow of Intent I like and this release is a great one.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#21 - Les Chemins de l’Exil by Les Bâtards du Roi
Melodic Black Metal from France
Really amazing melo black. Second album from this band. There has been some really good black metal coming out of France lately. Drawing inspiration from a medieval universe, its protagonists narrate mythology through dark melodies and powerful riffs. Their songs explore medieval myths and reinterpret historical figures from their hometown of Orléans.
Love the Burned In Effigy and Embrace The Darkness albums!!
Different is usually better, IMO. Definitely a few on here that I missed and need to check out. Looking forward to 20-1