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Top EPs of 2025!

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2025 was a stacked year for new music, not just with new albums but EPs too! Let’s take a look back at some of our favourite releases in the medium, from rock to country to metal! We reviewed easily 100 last year, so if we missed any off you think deserved it, let us know!

15 – Redferrin: Some City, Somewhere

Starting the list off strong with our friend Red and his second EP! This is every bit as good as his debut, being 21 minutes of chilled-out country-pop. It’s packed full of awesome songs; his incredible vocals and powerful lyrics over some basic-yet-fitting instrumentation. And, it’s grown on me more and more with each listen, something I surprisingly don’t find much for me with EPs. It’s not going to be for everyone, but I loved it and have listened to it a lot since February when it dropped. It got an 8.5/10 when it dropped, but I’d say it’s crept a little higher than that by now. A fitting start to the list!

Listen to: Ruin My Night, and Mornin’ Montana

14 – Sypha: Borderland

At just three songs and 10 minutes, this is the shortest release on this list, but that doesn’t take away from how great it is! An awesome slice of modern metal in the vein of Spiritbox or Bad Omens, though very much doing things their own way too, I’d honestly put it up there alongside any release from either band. The screams in particular are fantastic, especially when they are around the awesome breakdowns. However, the cleans also lead to some incredibly catchy choruses and verses, and it all fits over the top of the massive instrumentation perfectly. I’ve been jamming this since way back nearly a year ago, and haven’t gotten sick of it since! It got a solid 9/10 from us back then, and slips comfortably onto our list!

Listen to: Dirty Floor, and The Afterparty

13 – Revenant: Best Medicine

A band that put out two new EPs in 2025 and honestly, either could have made this list. However, I do think Medicine does ever so slightly edge out over Black Dogs, personally. However, both are excellent NWOCR releases, and could easily be combined together into an excellent album! Still, this is an amazing collection of five stompin’ rock tracks, and it’s impossible not to have a good time listening to it! Even the slower tracks are excellent, showing off the bands damn impressive range. I cannot wait to finally see them live in February and see these tracks, as I’ve been jamming them regularly for months now! Another solid 9/10 from us sees this easily make our list!

Listen to: Public Service Announcement, and Least I can Do

12 – Miss Vain: Sempiternal Drive

The follow-up to their incredible 2023 release, this had a lot of personal hype to live up to, and managed to do exactly that! This is melodic hard rock at its absolute finest. Five songs packed with huge, heavy riffs and choruses designed to be played to massive festival crowds. We even get some awesome screams too, adding a metalcore element to it which I love. Their sound is evolving more and more, and they deserve to be a growing name. It fills a great Santa Cruz-shaped hole in my soul, and I haven’t been able to get enough of it since April. A very easy 9/10 from us solidly secures this release a spot on our list! Check it out if you like the more melodic side of music!

Listen to: Now or Neverland, and Demon Spawn

11 – Blake Whiten: Six Mile

That voice. Need I say more? The sheer emotion in that rasp and low delivery is somehow both devastating and beautiful in equal measure, and makes all six of these tracks a must-listen. It hooks you in immediately, and doesn’t let you free until the very last note. And honestly, the instrumentation compliments Blake’s voice and lyrics perfectly. It’s a slower, steady, neotraditional country album, but delivered with an almost murder-folk darkness to it and times, as well as a modern edge. If all of that gushing hasn’t done enough to win you over, just take a listen, it really is that good. And hell, the 9.5/10 we gave it might convince you, too! It definitely deserves a slot on this list, and if it wasn’t for it being such a strong year in 2025, it may have gotten even higher!

Listen to: Reckless, and Rollin’ Stone

10 – Craig Morgan: American Soundtrack

A real throwback to the early-mid 2000s country sound in the very best of ways. From ballads to more rockier numbers, this release takes you on one hell of a journey across 20 short minutes, and is one I’ve listened to a fair bit the last nine months or so! It’s all catchy as anything and, while a little cliche lyrically, is still damn enjoyable. And, while I wait for another full-length to follow up 2020’s God, Family, Country, these EPs that he’s been putting out are more than enough to keep me going! It got top marks from us back in February, and honestly listening back, it’s hard to argue with it! The cheesiness may have dropped it down a couple of places on this list but honestly, it’s still one of the best EPs of the year, hence why it makes this list!

Listen to: American Soundtrack, and Roots

9 – Circle of Origin: Guilty Till Proven Innocent

An awesome melodic metal EP up next, and a massively high-calibre one for a debut! It’s a style that’s right up my street, and the band do it phenomenally. It’s massive, the perfect blend of heavy and melodic, and takes plenty of inspiration from the massively overlooked groove-metal genre, incorporating plenty of bounce into their hard-rock sound. I have listened through this 20-minute release multiple times since it dropped in early last year, and don’t see myself stopping any time soon! Hopefully we are getting more from them soon, and I also need to see them live ASAP too, as I have to hear these tracks live! An insanely solid 9.5/10 from us easily lands them this spot on our list.

Listen to: Time Waits for No One, and Broken

8 – Everette: Simple as That

It’s no secret that I am a massive fan of this project. So, the fact that we are four releases in and it has turned more into a solo project and we are still getting quality this high is a true testament to Brent’s talents. All four of these track are amazing, feeling a bit more like their earlier stuff than Keys to Kentucky was, which was pretty awesome. It’s another artist that should be far bigger than they are currently; just listen to this and tell me otherwise. I feel like it took a slight hit when Anthony left, but Brent seems to be gathering some steam again and, if he keeps putting out banger after banger like he has been, it surely will be bigger sooner rather than later! It got a 9.5/10 from us when it dropped but honestly, it feels like I only didn’t give it more because it just wasn’t long enough! If you like country even a little, give this a spin ASAP!

Listen to: Glad to Be Here, and Freight Train

7 – Jawfane: Me and All my Demons

A non-country Nashville band is always nice to see, and even more-so when it’s a fantastic, emo-adjacent heavy post-hardcore one! The debut EP from the quartet is a fantastic 17-minutes of anger, ch0nky riffs and brutal screams. It’s definitely on the darker side of releases on this list, but it also stands out a lot to me as shockingly not that many people seem to be doing stuff like this currently. And the fact that it’s done to this high a quality is truly awesome! All five tracks here are awesome, and it all fits together perfectly to make something truly special. If you like the genre, check this out immediately, you’ll surely love it! There’s a very good reason it got a 9.5/10 from us and makes it onto this list!

Listen to: Damaged Goods, and Friends and Enemies

6 – Tealdear: menace

This chaotic, proggy near-20-minutes is an absolute thrill ride of heavy music. It’s certainly not going to be for everyone, but six months on from its release I still love it! It’s heavy, catchy and incredibly creative in its songwriting, it all flowing surprisingly well together. The band are all such insane musicians and songwriters, and again shoutout to their producer Audiomage, who’s done a fantastic job here too! They haven’t gotten nearly enough love and recognition from this release, but I adore it and would recommend anyone into the quirkier side of music. It got an incredibly easy 9.5/10 from us back in June, and if you listen it’s very easy to hear why. I cannot wait to hear more from them already, but for now I am happy to keep spinning this!

Listen to: the devil’s toybox, and don’t be a cult

5 – Gareth: Steal Your Thunder

2025 very much felt like Gareth’s year. Not only putting out not one but two awesome EPs, touring with Kip Moore, main stage at Long Road, it’s hard to argue what a huge, breakthrough year he had. And this felt like this release really set everything into motion here. Fifteen minutes spread across five incredible radio-country songs, all as good as each other. His vocals are beautiful and powerful, and his songwriting ability is really off the charts! And, while I did enjoy Bluebird a lot too, this one stood out a little more for me, and was a bit more solid throughout. This release has set him up for absolutely MASSIVE things, and it’s easy to hear why we gave it a 9/10, though honestly I think it deserves even more than that now. If you are a country fan, this release is an absolute must!

Listen to: Steal Your Thunder, and Last Thing I Do

4 – Bleed the Fifth: Mortal Heart

The first new release from the band in three years and it certainly didn’t disappoint! This is an incredible slab of modern metalcore from the Welsh quartet that almost teeters on melodeath at times, which certainly isn’t a bad thing! All five tracks are amazing, and this whole release has been a regular in my listening still all these months If you are at all a fan of the heavier side of metal, this is very much one for you! It very easily got top marks back in March, and it’s hard to disagree with that some ten months later. There was no way this wasn’t making the list, and I already can’t wait to hear where they go from here!

Listen to: First Flame, and We Belong

3 – Rattlesnakes: Deeper Shades of Tourment

The debut EP from the young, Derbyshire NWOBHM revival band is incredible, and has been in regular rotation for me since its April release. It goes hard throughout, from the incredible riffing to the solid drumming to Rowena’s powerful vocals. And for a debut release to produce this level of quality songs throughout is damn impressive! It’s a sound that, while never quite going away, is seeing an awesome resurgence in the UK underground scene as of late, and Rattlesnakes very much positioned themselves near the forefront of that with this release. If you are a fan of old-school metal, give this a spin, you’ll surely love it as much as I do. A very solid 9.5/10 back when it dropped, and it more than lives up to that now. A deserving addition to this list!

Listen to: Firestarter, and Burn for You

2 – Evan Bartels: To Make you Cry

As if I wasn’t already obsessed with this release when it dropped, seeing it live made me fall in love with it even more. It’s such a simple release, being pretty stripped back to Evan’s vocals and guitar with liminal other instrumentation, but it draws all the focus on the lyrics and vocal delivery, packing such a deep, emotional punch. It’s made me cry before, live and when revisiting it here. Heck, ‘The Highway’ still gives me goosebumps to this day. Plus, talking to Evan about how it was made just makes me appreciate it even more! It won’t be for everyone, but music at its most base form is supposed to make you feel something, and this does just that every single time. Every track is amazing, and this is an absolute must check out, regardless of what type of music you’re into! It’s very easy to hear why I gave it a 10/10, and it definitely deserves this slot on the list!

Listen to: Death of a Good Man, and The Highway

1 – Fangslinger: We Are the Night

There was no way this wasn’t topping our list. I’ve been obsessed with this band since they started, and this EP brought together everything I loved about the undead redneck rock’n’rollers! Big riffs, massive harmonies, arena-filling choruses and plenty of southern rock swagger to boot. All five tracks are as good as the last, it being 20-minutes of hard rock greatness. They are already teasing the next step, but until then, I am more than happy to keep spinning this release. It’s a fantastic combination of their early singles, and it’s another release I cannot recommend enough to anyone even slightly interested. It was another very easy 10/10 back in July, and I fully stand by that now. These guys are gonna be massive!

Listen to: The Lost Souls Saloon, and Blood Curse

Features

Most Anticipated Albums of 2026!

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While a little later than previously planned, we wanted to sit down and take a look at our most anticipated albums set to release this year, either announced or rumoured. And, for the first time in Overtone history, not one album/artist that featured on last years list returned for this one! Out of all of them, only one didn’t release, and… well… that all got a bit messy. This year is already looking stacked for new releases, so let’s look at the ones we’re looking forward to the most, shall we?

Zach Bryan: With Heaven on Top – January 9th

The soonest to drop, merely a few days from now, one of countries biggest stars returns after taking some time away. Being a big fan of the guy, I’d be excited for this release. However, with the controversy hearing some of the snippets out there has already caused, it has made me more curious and excited than ever! Zach’s beauty is in his lyrics, and he’s certainly gotten plenty to write about since 2024’s The Great American Bar Scene. If it’s anywhere near the quality of his last couple of albums, he’ll certainly be onto another winner with this. I for one cannot wait, and am at least glad it’s coming so early in the year! Do we think it will be the third to make it onto our top album of the year list?

Megadeth: Self-Titled – January 23rd

The final studio album from the thrash legends is of course a massive deal. I have to admit I’ve not been a huge fan of their recent output, but they were a massive band in my teenage years for me and definitely inspired me in my playing, so to have them calling it quits in a year or two is bittersweet. And, having heard the singles already, the band are definitely firing on all cylinders again! They feel like the perfect blend of old and new Megadeth, and hopefully the whole album can channel the same vibes. Hell, if we get a good 80s thrash album, I’ll be happy, anything else is a bonus! Heck, as long as it’s better than their last album, it’ll be a fitting sendoff to one of the most underrated bands of all time.

The Karma Effect: Cruel Intentions – May 15th

One of the most exciting releases coming to the NWOCR scene this year is none other than London’s hard rockers. A follow up to 2024’s stellar Promised Land (which also made that year’s list), it’s impossible not to be hyped for this! ‘Waiting in a Miracle’ is a good a single as the band have ever produced, and they are already teasing more in the coming months. They are the perfect blend of old and new school, and growing more by the day, so it seems! This could very much be their biggest release yet and push them to new heights, and I am very much along for the ride. This album cannot come out soon enough, and expect it to end up on our albums of the year list come December!

Trivium: TBA

The first rumoured/unconfirmed album of the list this year, but there was no way one of my favourite bands are in the studio and that wasn’t making it on here. I know they not long put out an EP, but have said they are still in the studio working on new music as we speak. What’s more exciting is they are saying it’s being inspired by the energy from their Ascendancy anniversary tour. If their upcoming album is some sort of blend of that release and their recent output, I may become a little obsessed! They have put out some of the best music of the last decade with their last three albums, and I find it hard to believe they won’t continue on that run of form with their next one. The only issue is that they’ve said it will be ‘late 2026 or early 2027’, so this may end up back on the same list next year! Still, I can’t wait for this, and whenever it drops, it will surely be awesome!

Megan Moroney: Cloud 9 – February 20th

Megan’s other two albums got a 9/10 and an 8.5/10, respectively. Clearly I am a big fan of her work, and she has set the bar high with her albums so far! So, of course I am excited for this third album! And, if the two singles out so far are anything to go by, it will be more of the excellent same. Ones an emotional ballad, while the others a bit more up-tempo and rocky, at least for Megan, showing off both sides of her great writing. There’s a reason why she’s becoming one of the biggest modern names in the genre, and it has almost put quite a bit of pressure on this upcoming album. I fully expect her to live up to the hype around the release though, and cannot wait to hear the full thing!

Rob Zombie: The Great Satan – February 27th

The first release in half a decade for the industrial metal legend, and it’s surely set to be another awesome one. Heck, we’re still spinning his last one pretty regularly now! And, if the singles so far are anything to reflection of the album as a whole, we are going old-school Zombie with this one, which certainly isn’t a bad thing! ‘Punks and Demons’ is a fun, chaotic release that harkens back to his White Zombie days or Sinister Urge era a lot. It makes sense too, as the amazing Mike Riggs is back on guitar duty for the first time since 2003. I love John 5 and have loved what he’s done with Zombie, but if we’re getting a return to the sound of his first two solo albums with this release, I am all for it! Either way, it will good to have the master of horror back to releasing music again, it’s been too long!

Mallavora: What if Better Never Comes? – March 27th

A debut album being on this list is pretty special, but Mallavora are no ordinary band. They have been steadily on the rise now since COVID, growing more and more and getting a true cult following behind them. Now, two massive EPs under their belts, they are set to take their biggest step up since, with a massively anticipated debut album! Their unique brand of alt metal is amazing and a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to hear it in a longer format. And, like with a lot of this list, the singles we’ve heard so far are BANGIN’. The band have an incredible future ahead of them and an already stacked 2026, and this album will surely push them to higher heights still!

Fangslinger: TBA

Another that’s been teased but not officially announced, they at least have an album launch show set for April, so you’ve gotta imagine the album will be out around then. I’m a big fan of the metal/country/hard rock crossover band and have been since the start, so I’ll take any new music I can get. If that’s a full-length album, that’s even better! I’d assume ‘As the Crow Flies’ is the first song from the release, and that track is incredible, so I am already eager to hear more. I know they are dropping another single in the next week or two, so hopefully we get some more news around then. However, until then, we here at Overtone are impatiently waiting to hear what’s next for the band. 2026 is very much going to be their year!

Skindred: You Got This – April 16th

The Welsh Reggae-metal band took their time reaching 2023’s Smile, but are already returning early this year with another album that is no doubt going to be awesome. We’ve only had one single so far, but the title track is AWESOME, and hints to great things for the album as a whole. It’s impossible not to have fun with Skindred, and they only seem to be getting even better with age. Nine albums in at this point and they are hotter than ever, and seem to be putting out better and better music. Their last like four albums now have been stellar, and I have high expectations that You Got This will be more of the same!

Tailgunner: Midnight Blitz – February 6th

One of the fastest rising stars in all of metal, the recent Napalm Records signing as wasting no time putting out their sophomore album! The bands debut back in 2023 was fantastic enough, but I truly believe these guys could surpass that with this release, and prove that they are certainly ones to watch moving forward. The perfect blend of old-school NWOBHM and modern production and energy, they have all the tools to become the next big thing, and I truly believe this album will set them on that path. I’m also interested to hear what they do with a bigger budget, and if the singles are anything to go off, it’s going to be awesome!

Social Distortion: TBA/May?

Another album teased by the band but not officially announced. Frontman Mike Ness has given a rough May release date, alongside a potential single later this month. Man do I hope so, as it’s been 15 long years since their last studio release. Another massive influence in my early years, having them return after so long, as well as Mike’s tonsil cancer, is truly awesome to see. And, across their long, storied career, they really haven’t lost a step, not putting out an even remotely bad album, so I can’t see this breaking that trend now! They’re just so easy to listen to while still having plenty of great lyrics and themes, and are such an inspirational band, they can almost do no wrong. Either way, I’m just damn excited to hear this, and even more excited to finally see them live this year, too!

Ice Nine Kills: TBA

Another one for the maybe pile. INK have been rather secretive in terms of what their plan is, aside for casually hinting at capping off their Siver Scream trilogy with another album. The story through their videos has continued on perfectly, though it remains to be seen if any are standalone or if the last three will all make it onto III. I’m in two minds about it, as ‘The Laugh Track’ is one of the best songs they’ve ever done, but I rather selfishly would love as much new stuff as possible on a new release! No matter which way it goes, I’m sure it’ll be a banger when it finally comes out. They are my favourite current band, and Horrorwood is a masterpiece. While the pressure may be on after that album and their bigger tours the last couple of years, if anyone can rise to the challenge, it’s Ice Nine Kills. I’ve been impatiently waiting for this for a solid few months already!

Tyketto: Closer to the Sun – March 20th

Somehow it has been a full decade since the second wave of glam/AOR legends blew me away with Reach. That’s far too long without new Tyketto! That is all set to change at the end of March, when we get their highly anticipated return! Having seen them multiple times in the last few years, they are still very much on top form, so it’s hard not to be excited for new studio work by them. ‘Higher Than High’ is an awesome track, so you’ve gotta imagine the rest of the album will be more of the same! I’m sure this thing will kick ass, and I can’t wait!

Muse: TBA

How is it that the band are allowed to show up in June, drop one of their heaviest tracks in years, and then disappear again? I still spin ‘Unravelling’ a fair bit now, and it still has me hyped for the band to return with a new studio album. They can do no wrong in my eyes (aside 2nd Law), and even their last album had some bangers! There is no one quite like Muse, and it has been too long since we’ve had a full-length release already! No matter what sort of sound they return with, whether the Djent-ness was just a one-off or not, I’m sure it will still be excellent, and I for one cannot wait to hear whatever the Devonshire trio have come up with!

Symphony X: TBA

Okay, this one might just be be. However, I LOVE the band, and the fact that we’ve not had an album from them in a decade is insane. I’m a big fan of Russell Allen, and have already missed his work in Adrenaline Mob, so at least with this I get some of his incredible vocals again. However, the band as a whole are such incredibly talented musicians that it’s hard to imagine this isn’t going to be insane all round. We haven’t even had a single drop for this one yet, but LePond has stated that they have finished writing it in the late stages of last year, so fingers crossed it’s being recorded as we speak! It’s another that may very well get pushed back to ’27, but a guy can hope, right?!

Features

The Top Albums of 2025 – Part 5!

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Here we are guys, the top 20! Who do you thinks gonna be in here? Read below and find out!

20 – Brass Camel: Camel

Honestly, this is a prog masterpiece. I’ve gushed about it plenty already, but the sheer talent on display throughout this entire 40 minutes is incredible. Right from the 10-minute epic of an opener giving some of the best instrumentation I’ve heard in years, to the more radio-friendly ‘Pick of the Litter’ and ‘Borrowed Time’ to the equally grandiose closer, it’s a tour de force throughout. It’s like the perfect blend of ELO, Queen and Wolfmother, and is impossible not to have a good time when listening to. It dropped all the way back in April and I haven’t stopped raving about it since! It’s certainly not going to be for everyone, but I’m insanely jealous of the bands talents, and would recommend it to anyone interested! There’s a reason it got 10/10, and it lands a very deserving spot on our list!

Listen to: Zealot, Chain Reaction, and

19 – Drake Milligan: Tumbleweed

It’s no secret how much we fucking LOVE Mr Milligan here at Overtone, and once again he knocked it out of the park back last month with his sophomore album. The neo-traditional sound has made a big impact in recent years, and Drake is as good at it as anyone else. It’s 42-minutes full of boot stompin’ numbers or slower, beautiful ballads or old-school stuff, and all of it is done to perfection. And, after sitting with it for a couple of months, it just keeps getting better! While I do think it’s not quite as good as his monumental debut, it’s still an utterly fantastic country album, and one of the best of the year. We gave it 9/10 back when it dropped, but I do think it’s a bit higher than that now! There isn’t a bad track on the album, and while there’s maybe one too many slower songs in the middle, it’s still incredibly easy to listen to. A damn worthy addition to the list!

Listen to: Tumbleweed, Slow Dancing to a Fast Song, and How Much Beer

18 – Neon Union: Good Years

An absolutely phenomenal album that I’ve been obsessed with the last 11 months, and it’s absolutely criminal that they haven’t exploded from its release. There isn’t a bad track across the 12 on this, and most have been stuck in my head at various points of the last year! It’s southern-rock-infused country in all the best ways, and even the slower songs have a bit of an edge and distortion to them. If you are at all into country or southern rock at all, I cannot recommend this enough, it’s an absolutely phenomenal, damn fun album! It’s very easy to hear why it got top marks from us, and it very much deserves this high a slot on the list! I cannot wait to hear where they go from here, but for now am happy to keep sitting with this awesome album!

Listen to: Golden Rules, Bout Damn Time, and Made in Mexico

17 – Creeper: Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death

The sequel to their 2023 masterpiece, this had a lot of hype to live up to. And, like with Drake, I don’t think it’s quite as good as that. However, this is still an absolutely incredible gothic, throwback hard rock album, and more than deserves its slot on this list! The release as a whole isn’t quite as strong overall, but ‘Headstones’ is maybe the best song the band have ever put out, with ‘Blood Magick’ not being far behind! If you are a fan of their recent output, this is an absolute must-listen, and has been regularly in my rotation since its Halloween release. It’s packed full of massive, cheesy choruses and key changes, but also plenty of heaviness throughout to offset it. They’re a great old-school sound while still feeling plenty modern; no one is quite doing it like Creeper currently. It’s easy to hear why it got 9/10 from us upon its release, but I do think it’s crept (punk very much intended) higher than that after a couple more listens! I think hearing it live also helped me appreciate it a lot. It more than deserves its slot on this list, and I would recommend everyone check it out at least once!

Listen to: Blood Magick, Headstones, and Parasite

16 – Malevolence: Where Only the Truth is Spoken

The UK beatdown hard/metalcore titans returned with their latest album back in June, and honestly somehow blew me away even more than Malicious Intent did! They take everything great from that release and amplify it, even down to the epic, dark ballad. The anger throughout is fantastic, from the vocals to the riffing, and makes you just want to throw people around a pit constantly. It’s 42-minutes of perfect heaviness, without a bad song throughout. And I love the band steadily incorporating more melodic and groove metal elements into their sound, adding some mainstreamness to the brutality. I can see them continuing to grow and becoming a huge band in the scene in just a few years. It got a 9/10 when it dropped, but after a few more spins I definitely think it deserves higher now. An easy addition this high up on the list!

Listen to: If It’s All the Same to You, Salt the Wound, and In Spite

15 – First Time Flyers: Bound to Break

The debut album from the rising UK country stars is an absolutely incredible release. I’ve known them a few years now, so was a little worried I’d feel a bit like Tekkno or Popular Monster; feeling burnt out by the steady drip of singles and it watering down the album. However, that certainly didn’t happen here! Despite being familiar with a lot of it, I still love each and every single when I revisit the release, and the album tracks are right up there alongside them! The bands harmonies are maybe second to none currently, and they make every single track memorable, catchy and massive. Between that and the exploration of just about every sound currently around the top of the country world, and it makes for an incredible easy listen, even at its 15-track length! It got a very easy 9.5/10 from us back when it released, and I fully stand by that still today. I can’t wait to hear where they go from here, but I still cannot get enough of spinning this for now, and it more than deserves its spot on our list!

Listen to: Primadonna, Happier, and Gold

14 – Between the Buried and Me: The Blue Nowhere

The US prog metallers’ 13th studio album may somehow be their best yet, which is honestly saying a lot! The band really made the use of their gap between releases, producing something that transcends any genre they include, the result being something distinctly BTBAM. It’s 71-minutes of beautiful, heavy chaos written and produced perfectly by the band. From jazz to death metal, 80s synth to djent to to alt to blues/country, there are so many elements blended together amazingly. I think I mentioned it in my review, but this very much feels like the modern evolution of Mr Bungle. I’ve been obsessed with this release since September when it dropped, and have raved about it to anyone that would listen! One of the easiest 10/10’s I’ve given all year, and it very much deserves this high a spot on this list. Once again, it could be even higher on any given day, it’s just an incredible year for music!

Listen to: Things we Tell Ourselves in the Dark, Absent Thereafter, and Slow Paranoia

13 – Avatar: Don’t Go in the Forest

This honestly felt like such a return to form for the cinematic metallers. And that’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy their previous release, but more that this is so good, I’d put it up there among their best! It’s quirky, catchy and heavy in a way that really only Avatar can do. From power/folk to more metalcore to hard rock, everything the band do so great is very much turned up to 11 throughout this whole release. I loved it when it came out on Halloween, and have had it in steady rotation ever since. They’re just so interesting and fun, and it’s an incredibly easy nearly 5-minute listen. It flows together perfectly and all feels suitably epic. From the riffing to Johannes’ insane vocal range, it’s all so good. The 9/10 from us feels a touch low after a few listens, and it has definitely earned its high slot on here! Check it out if you’re at all curious!

Listen to: Tonight we Must be Warriors, Don’t Go in the Forest, and Death and Glitz

12 – Lady Gaga: MAYHEM

Believe me, I’m as shocked as you are! I’ve always been a Gaga fan, she got big while I was in secondary school, those first two albums are still incredible. Since then I had fallen off, but there has been no ignoring this release this year, and why should you? It’s awesome! From the three pre-release singles to so many amazing album tracks to the addition of ‘The Dead Dance’ on the deluxe thanks to her involvement in Wednesday, it is jam packed full of banger after banger. It’s also a welcome return to Gaga’s more rock-infused pop sound, clearly taking influence from everyone from Prince to Nine Inch Nails to Bowie. For a publication that is so usually everything-but-pop to put a generally pop album on this list at all, let alone this high, goes to show just how phenomenal this release is. If you doubt me at all, at least give it a listen first and try to tell me that you aren’t at least impressed by her vocals and songwriting. I wanted to see this tour so bad, but sadly couldn’t afford it, as the videos also look INCREDIBLE. We didn’t review it when it released, but after many listens since March, it can’t get any less than 9.5/10, and more than deserves its slot on this list!

Listen to: Abracadabra, Killah, and The Dead Dance

11 – Evan Honer: Everything I Wanted

Evan very much did it again in 2025. As if last year’s release wasn’t good enough already, just 15 months later he dropped another collection of incredible tracks. Heck, the title track may as well be my song of the year given how much myself and my wife have played it around the house. However, it is far from the only good song on the record; it’s packed full of them! Also, the more I’ve listened to it, the more I’ve somehow fallen in love with it. While not quite as emotionally soul-destroying as some of Fighting For, it very much still packs a punch, Evan being a phenomenal storyteller and chronicling what he’s gone through between releases. From his lyrics to his delivery, it’s perfect, powerful and beautiful. And instrumentally, while pretty simple for the most part, it’s a little on the rockier side this time, which was a great touch. Every song is as good as the last, and I’d recommend this album to absolutely anyone, though especially those into more of the country/Americana side of things. That 9.5/10 has easily turned into a 10/10 at this point!

Listen to: Everything I Wanted, Better off Lonely, and Lose a Friend

10 – Orbit Culture: Death Above Life

The melodeath Swedes have done it once again, putting out an album everything as good as Decent. They have quickly become the torchbearers for the genre, and I am all for it! It’s packed to the brim with amazing songs, being nearly an hour of perfect heaviness. I have had it on a lot in the last three months, and would recommend it to anyone at all into metal. They really are masters of their craft, and have been on an excellent roll as of late. It got top marks from me, and I fully stand by that still now! The band are incredibly talented, and are surely going to be a massive name in the metal scene incredibly soon!

Listen to: Inferna, Inside the Waves, and

9 – Ghost: Skélta

I want to preface this by saying that I don’t particularly think Ghost are an ‘album band’. They are utterly fantastic at producing insane singles, but Meteora was probably the closest they’ve come to making an A tier album… until now. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a perfect album front to back. However, the five/six tracks that are good are up there with some of the best songs of the last few years. I do think it wasn’t the best idea to front-load the thing with the four best track on it, three of them being the singles. However yet again, DAMN are they fantastic songs. And the other few aren’t bad by any stretch, just a step below then others and more like Ghost album tracks.

The band have really come into their own here somehow, though most (me included) thought they’d already done that with their previous two releases. It feels bigger, more epic and ambitious, and the scope is realised in a massive way. It’s like stadium-glam mixed with their usual sound, it’s awesome! Forge is honestly a musical mastermind, creating this true modern legend, and I feel they now have another album to rival their huge size. Even if you aren’t typically a Ghost fan, this is well worth checking out, as it’s that good it may just change your mind! It got a perfect score from us and it’s hard to argue with that, despite a slight breather track or two in the middle.

Listen to: Lachryma, Satanised, and Marks of the Evil One

8 – The Pretty Wild: zero.point.genesis

WHAT A DEBUT. From the fantastic scream that opens through 40-minutes of amazing modern metalcore to the epic, dark closing ballad, it takes the listener on an awesome journey. The dynamic between the two front-women is amazing, but the rest of the band also kill it throughout. Every song is amazing, be it more of a Bad Omens or Ice Nine Kills sound, and it’s easy to see why they have gotten so big so fast. I’m glad it’s getting the love it deserves from other publications, though, and it was definitely going to end up high on this list from the first time I heard it. From the massive choruses to the heavy riffing, it’s packed to the brim of awesome moments. If you haven’t already listened, do yourself a favour and do so immediately! It more than deserves its slot on this list, and the 9.5/10 I gave it, though it might even get a solid 10 after a few more listens!

Listen to: PARADOX, living ded, and AFTERLIFE

7 – Kyle McKeanery: To the River

Yet another artist I discovered just this year that I am now completely obsessed with because of their output this year! I remember interviewing him back in January and didn’t at all expect him to put out this absolute country/Americana masterpiece just a few short months later. At nearly an hour long, it’s insanely impressive that there isn’t a bad track on it, and it’s packed full of major highlights to boot. His vocals are powerful and packed full of soul and emotion, and the harmonies add even more of both. However, his songwriting is the real kicker here, some of the lyrics and choruses are my favourite of the year, no matter the genre! Whether it’s country, Americana, blues or rock, he does it all to absolute perfection. I’ve gone back since and checked out his previous stuff and, while I like that a lot too, Kyle really hit his stride here in a massive way! I have spun this in full a LOT over the last eight months since its release, and it is yet to get old. It got a 9.5/10 from us upon its release and it’s hard to argue that now! If you are at all even a passing country fan, check this out!

Listen to: Skeletons, Broken Hearts Hide, and Hold On Goodbye

6 – Chevelle: Bright as Blasphemy

This one was a long time coming! After being a mainstay on our most anticipated albums list the last two years now, the alt rock/metal duo finally graced us with their highly anticipated next release. And damn, what a release it was! I always thought it was going to be hard to top 2021’s NIRATIAS, but they followed it up with an album that is up there alongside it, that’s for sure. The riffs and drumming are still massive, and the lyrics are still full of depth, anger and emotion. It feels like there is more variety than ever in their sound though, especially with the slower, more reflective and beautiful ‘Blood out in the Fields’. They are still one of the most underrated band to maybe ever exist, and I’m so hoping that we finally get a UK or even European show from them off this album cycle. It got such an incredibly easy 10/10 from us at the time and I certainly haven’t changed my opinion of it since then! It was #4, on our list last time around, so the band are once again consistently high up for list. It could easily have been at the top if it wasn’t for this being such an insanely solid list this year, but it is very deserving of it’s #6 slot, that’s for sure!

Listen to: Pale Horse, Jimmy Jones – Cowards, Pt. 2, and Blood Out in the Fields

5 – Crowe Boys: Made to Wander

The highest rated debut album this year, and it’s easy to hear why! I checked this out on a whim as they’d been announced for The Long Road this year, and immediately fell in love. It’s nearly 40-minutes of incredible, emotional indie-Americana music, and in a year full of amazing releases in said genre, this tops them all. Sonically it is phenomenal, the instrumentation simple but the harmonies from the two brothers being so very beautiful. However, what really shines through are the lyrics and emotion. The vulnerability of their breakout hit. The beautiful optimism of ‘Bonfire in my Soul’. And I cannot listen to ‘Brother Song’ on track or live without shedding a tear still to this day. There truly isn’t a bad track on this release, and it is one I haven’t grown tired of in the countless listens I’ve done since its release back in June. For a debut album this is absolutely phenomenal, and is not only a testament to the boys’ insane talent, but the start of what is surely going to be an absolutely massive career as a band. Take a listen and tell me it doesn’t deserve even more than the 9/10 I gave it at the time!

Listen to: Bootstraps, Bonfire in my Soul, and Brother Song

4 – Paleface Swiss: CURSED

This slab of pure anger from the deathcore Swiss was somehow my first introduction to them, outside of Marc’s feature on last year’s Left to Suffer album. So, for me to become utterly obsessed with this band since this, that really says a lot. It certainly helped me get some anger out over the last year, that’s for sure! Marc has one of the most interesting, versatile vocals in the game right now, and really helps this album shine and stand out. Having said that though, that shouldn’t take away from the rest of the band working their asses off with some incredible riffing and drumming. Heck, we even get some awesome rapping/trap stuff, integrated into metal far better than most other bands and artists do it.

This thing came out in the very first few days of the year and I’ve been spinning it pretty regularly since then; it hasn’t gotten old yet. Sure, it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you are into the heavy stuff I can’t recommend this enough. The band have been going for a few years now but this very much felt like an arrival for them in a massive way.  Plus, shoutout to the deluxe edition, that added even more awesome carnage! They deserve so much more recognition and deserve to be massive thanks to this release, as well as their others, but hey, at least they got high on this list, right..? It got a 9.5/10 from us back in January, but I do feel like it’s jumped up to top marks now, and more than justifies being this high on our list!

Listen to: Hatred, Enough?, and Love Burns

3 – Those Damn Crows: God Shaped Hole

Our 2023 album of the year winners returned back in April and once again knocked it out of the park. Heck, this was a UK #1 album, an absolutely HUGE feat for a band of their size and style, and it should say enough about how fantastic this release is. It truly couldn’t have happened to nicer, more deserving guys, either. Yes, they were pipped to the post this time round, but that isn’t a reflection of this albums quality in any way, more just the insane quality of music released this year.

The NWOCR leaders’ fourth offering is yet another one without a single bad song on it. It’s radio-friendly hard rock at its very best, and is something that absolutely everyone should listen to as I truly believe they’d make a fan out of anyone. Whether it’s the riffing, solid drumming or Shane’s impressive vocals and captivating charisma that comes through his delivery, it’s all excellent for a full 40-minutes. And, while I gave it 10/10, I feel like it’s grown on me even more with subsequent listens, being certainly up there with Inhale/Exhale for me now. The band have gone from strength to strength in recent years and this feels like the icing on the cake of everything they’ve achieved so far! One hell of an album, and more than deserving of this spot on our list!

We have PLENTY of Crows content on our site, just search it up!

Listen to: Glass Heart, Lets Go Psycho!, and Spit & Choke

2 – ONE OK ROCK: DETOX

This may be the most slept-on album of the year. Hell, for a sadly hefty chunk of the year, I did just that. I loved it when it came out, but got so wrapped up in other music that it wasn’t until I revisited it before seeing them that I realised DAMN, THIS IS A FUCKING GOOD ALBUM! This thing is all killer, no filler; 37 minutes of pop-rock perfection. Whether it’s heavier stuff like the opener, ‘Party’s Over’ or the Paledusk-featuring ‘C.U.R.I.O.S.I.T.Y.’ to slower ballads like ‘Tropical Therapy’, ‘Tiny Pieces’ and ‘+Matter’, it’s all incredible. I honestly cannot express enough how much I love each and every song on this album. I discovered them off their previous album and liked it, but goddamn has this one made me fall in love with the band. How they aren’t one of the biggest bands on the planet is beyond me. Still, with their Western tours over the last couple of years, on top of this excellent release, they are certainly getting there! We gave it 9/10 when it was released but after many spins since February it definitely deserves more than that, maybe even top marks! Yep, 10/10 for this masterclass. I’d recommend it to anyone!

Listen to: NASTY, Delusion:All, and +Matter

1 – Architects: Sky Earth and Everything Between

There was nothing else it could have been. The return to form to end all return to forms. One of the biggest bands in modern metalcore took some risks in the early 2020s which, while definitely aided their popularity, it certainly alienated a fair few of their fans. Well, those fans are certainly back after this release. A UK #2 album, damn respectable, even if they were screwed out of the top spot by another week of Short n Sweet.

However, that shouldn’t take away from the majesty of this album. It’s the best thing they’ve done since Lost Forever, and you can quote me on that. It combines the bands aggressive early sound with their more recent lighter, pop-infused stuff, and it works perfectly. It’s arguably what everyone wanted their evolution to be, and it only took the world really pissing off Sam to make it happen. The fact that the slower songs are even bangers shows the quality of this album.

I gave it a more than deserved 10/10 from us, and if you want even more gushing about it, I’d recommend checking out the review linked. Every song is incredible and I’ve listened to it so much in the last eight months. A very deserving top album for 2025, and one that is a must-listen for anyone out there.

Listen to: Elegy, Blackhole, and Seeing Red

And there you have it, folks! Another year, another set of absolutely incredible albums from the rock, country, metal and even pop world! Are there any we missed or you think were misplaced? Let us know! Until 2026!

<-   Part 4

Features

The Top Live Acts of 2025!

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As I’m sure you can tell, we saw a lot of bands and artists this year! While just about every one of them blew our socks off, we wanted to mention a few of our absolute favourites!

Ice Nine Kills – Nottingham Arena, December 2025

The most recent entry on this list, there was no way this wasn’t making it onto here! I’ve loved this band for a while, and they somehow keep getting better and better! They’ve somehow perfectly turned their brand of chaotic horror-metalcore into an arena spectacle, and now I don’t think it can be anything less. This was one of the best stage shows I’ve ever seen, there being something for practically every track. From extras dressed as various horror villains to enough knives, chainsaws and pyro to make customs surely incredibly difficult, they had it all. And, on top of that of course, the band also played their asses off throughout! Spencer is one of the most effortlessly charismatic frontmen around today, having the crowd in the palm of his hand throughout despite the limited interaction. Meanwhile the rest of the players are some of the most talented bunch of instrumentalist and screamers he could have gathered. Heck, we get the horn section of BBF for most of it, too! I could gush about this band all day, but I’ll let you read our review of this if you want that!

P.S. shoutout to Creeper supporting, who would have surely made the list if they’d have had longer!

Drake Milligan – The Long Road 2025

For the second year in a row, Mr Milligan storms onto this list. And how could he not? He and his band are one of the most entertaining live acts around today. The sheer show they put on and sheer talent on display between all of them will always be incredible. And, for saying this was apparently his first ever open-air festival headline slot, it made it even more special! And, setlist-wise, it was pretty close to perfect! From old classics to plenty of new stuff that has since been released on album two, I couldn’t get enough from start to finish. It’s another set that I gushed over in the review plenty, so won’t go over it too much. However, I loved this from start to finish, and he somehow cemented me as an even bigger fan moving forward than I had been before! He’s going to be around for years and years to come, so I urge you to see him and his band live as soon as you possibly can!

Green Day – Download 2025

Somehow it’s taken me 28+ years to see one of my favourite childhood bands live, but to say they didn’t disappoint would be an understatement! This was a non-stop tour de force of huge songs from my childhood, and I loved every minute. From the best of American Idiot (seeing ‘Jesus of Suburbia’ live was a bucket list item) to old classics like ‘Welcome to Paradise’, ‘When I Come Around’ and even ‘Minority’, to the very best of the last few albums, there was a little something for everyone! And, some nearly four decades into their career, they still very much have it, sounding as fantastic as ever and performing their asses off for a solid 90+ minutes. It was one of the best headline sets I’ve seen in the 12 years that I’ve gone to the festival, and that’s saying a lot! They well and truly blew me away, and proved any and all doubters wrong on the night, I’m sure!

ONE OK ROCK – Manchester Apollo, October 2025

THIS is how you do a headline set! Reducing the venue from the AO arena was a blessing in disguise for this show, because I have never been in a crowd quite like this one. The whole building hung on every note, knew every word and went nuts the entire time. And, as such, the famously great live band played their asses off throughout. And it helps that we got one of my favourite albums of the year, DETOX, played almost in full, every track being an absolute banger. And, of course, we got all their hits sprinkled in for good measure. If you want more gushing just check out our full review, you’ll get to see just how much I loved it! They should be one of the biggest bands on the planet, and they seem to be almost everywhere but the UK. But, somewhat selfishly, I’m hardly gonna complain, because seeing them in such an intimate setting was one of the best shows I’ve ever been to!

Blacktop Mojo – Manchester Rebellion & The Hairy Dog, Derby, March 2025

A slight cheat one as not only is this two separate sets, but my band also supported on both of them! However, I did have tickets to the Derby show anyway, so regardless this would have made it onto this list! The first ever shows over here for Blacktop Mojo and Shaman’s Harvest (huge shoutout to them too, as they were also excellent on both shows) and they came to show out, as both bands blew the roofs off both venues! However, Blacktop just edged out both shows for me, putting on easily two of my favourite sets of the year. They played a setlist packed with some of my favourite tracks from them, from their older stuff to the fantastic latest album. And they played their asses off throughout, with Matt being an excellent frontman! Check out our review of one of the shows if you want to hear me talk even more about both bands, but there was no way they weren’t making it onto this list!

Evan Honer – The Long Road 2025

Honestly, this was a bit of a religious experience for me. It is no secret I have become a massive fan of Evan off his last couple of albums. His lyrics and songwriting are phenomenal and speak to me on another level to most other artists. So, hearing some of these tracks live, I’m enough of a man to admit that I cried. Every song was amazing, and some really hit home. The full band was a nice touch too, and the harmonies they were hitting were awesome and added so much to the sound. And, speaking of the band, they are all insanely talented, even switching instruments casually for a song! And Evan is such a great performer, being a great frontman and his vocals are just as good live as on track. Even with a shorter festival set in a tent, I was still blown away, and already am desperate to see him again!

Stray From the Path – Slam Dunk 2025

Once again with them, the energy was absolutely off the charts. I loved them the first time I saw them, and it was somehow even better this time around! From their awesome previous album tracks to the singles from their latest release, it was packed full of incredible tracks, performed to perfection. And it helped that the crowd were fully onboard throughout, going nuts and filling the place with crowd surfers. Every bit of energy the crowd gave the band, they gave it right back, too. Andrew is an insane frontman who really kept the crowd in the palm of his hand throughout the set. We were right down the front and it was crazy, and so much fun! It’s so sad that they have called it quits as they are such a good band, but they have very much gone out on top this year, with this set showing just that!

Check out our review of the festival here!

Kip Moore – O2 Academy Birmingham, March 2025

On top of absolutely loving his latest album, I adored my first time seeing the country legend live! He played a stacked, 25-odd song setlist packed full of the very best from Solitary Tracks, alongside all of his classic hits, to boot. And the show he and his band put on was nothing short of spectacular. It was simple, them playing and a fantastic lighting rig backing them, and there wasn’t even a huge amount of crowd interaction throughout. But, the sheer stage presence and vibes going on through it all were amazing. I couldn’t look away for the entire set, and neither could the rest of the packed out crowd. Easily one of the best acts of the year, especially so early on!

Check out our review of the gig here!

Florence Black – Winters End 2025

A band that I have loved for years now, and another that only seem to be getting better and better! Finally ascending to the rank of headliner among the Planet Rock crowd was nothing to be scoffed at, and the trio more than rose to the occasion. Blasting through the very best of their two studio albums, as well as their energetic cover of ‘Breadfan’, it was a setlist jam-packed full of awesome songs. And, the crowd were packed out and hanging on every single note, all being huge fans of the band. Heck, they even got a pit going, I’m pretty sure the only one of the weekend, impressive for a crowd that are not known for their energy usually. If you want to hear me gush more over it, check out our review of the weekend, but there was no way it wasn’t making this list!

Electric Callboy – Slam Dunk 2025

Seeing this band this year practically guaranteed them a spot on this list, didn’t it? They are the best live metal band around today, without question, and put on as good a show as any to close out their stage at Slam Dunk! It’s impossible not to have a blast watching them. The show they put on; fire and multiple confetti moments, the camaraderie between Kevin and Niko on stage, the campfire-acoustic break in the middle, all incredible. And, what’s more, they have the songs to back up their impressive show, too. Opening on the amazing ‘Elevator Operator’ and rattling through all the hits off Tekkno, to standalone singles like their BABYMETAL collab ‘RATATATA’ or recently (at the time) released ‘Revery’, to plenty of fun, amazing covers too, it was honestly the perfect setlist. And, of course, the band play everything to perfection, being one of the most polished, well-oiled machines around today. I love this band and am so impatiently awaiting the next album!

Brothers Osborne – O2 Academy Birmingham, January 2025

Another awesome country gig in Birmingham, this time from one of the bands that got me into the genre to begin with! My only complaint, and I’m sure I mentioned this in my review too, is that we only got two tracks off their awesome latest album, and they opened the show with them. It was a little odd. However, when you have a back catalogue as solid as Brothers Osborne, it’s hard to miss any of the other hits out! ‘Stay a Little Longer’ is still one of my favourite songs of the last decade, and the solo live gave me goosebumps. Meanwhile tracks like ‘Skeletons’, their Dierks Bentley collab ‘Burning Man’, and ‘Dead Man’s Curve’ all still stand out in my mind as great live memories, almost a full year later! The brothers have such a fantastic chemistry together, and the crowd loved every second!

LN – Winters End & Scruffy Murphy’s, June 2025

My discovery of the year, that’s for sure! I know technically it’s another two-show entry, but after seeing them at Winters End, there was no way I wasn’t also going to one of their own shows, too! The fact that a dark, heavy pagan metal band won over the Planet Rock crowd is a feat in of its own, but is a true testament to the bands talents as a live band. The eponymous LN is the most captivating front-person I’ve seen all year, being equal parts endearing and intimidating throughout both sets. And the rest of the band played their asses off at both shows; one to a huge festival crowd and the other to a tiny, packed out room, putting in the same level of energy to both. Their music is also sick, me being hooked on their songs for weeks after each show. They’re playing a lot in the UK and are quickly gaining a following, so see them ASAP, as they’re going to be big sooner rather than later!

Check out our review of Scruffy’s here!

Evan Bartels – The Long Road 2025

Another from Long Road and another that absolutely blew me away. As I said both in my review and to Evan himself, the fact that he can get such a fantastic sound and pack such a huge punch when it’s just him up there with one guitar is mind-blowing. The emotion and vulnerability on display throughout was insane, and has really stuck with me all these months later. Between that and the songs themselves being amazing, it’s hard to argue his inclusion on this list. I was already a fan, but this has cemented that feeling even more so in the few months since. I already cannot wait to see him live again, and hopefully once the album he teased drops, he’ll make it back across the pond again!

Bad Touch – Rescue Rooms, October 2025

A band that I go way back with but hadn’t seen in a good while, it’s incredible to see them still firing on all cylinders. While keeping up on their recent studio output, songs from that translated incredibly over to a live setting, while I got plenty of nostalgia seeing some of my favourites from my youth alongside them! Stevie is yet another frontman on this list who’s effortlessly captivating, holding the crowd in the palm of his hand throughout, but the rest of the band played their asses off around him as well. And, to see a venue like Rescue Rooms packed out for old friends was so heartwarming, as was getting to play alongside them once again. They really have gone from strength to strength in the NWOCR scene, becoming one of its prominent members, and it’s very much because of live shows like this!

Crowe Boys – The Long Road 2025

The final entry and last Long Road one, once again, I’m not scared to admit this brought me to tears. It’s not been the easiest year mentally for me and the wife, and ‘Brother Song’ had us both crying. That’s the true power of not only the Boys’ songwriting, but their incredible delivery as a duo. They weren’t able to bring their full band over for the shows, but they arguably didn’t need to, the pair did a phenomenal job on their own! The harmonies were off the charts throughout, and both delivered such emotion and impact with every track. They had the small stage packed out, and everyone clung to every note. I sadly missed them on the Front Porch the next day, but I am so very glad I got to see this incredible set!

Features

The Top Albums of 2025 – Part 4!

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As we approach the final few, our list heats up, but there are still so many incredible releases for us to be checking out! See who’s 40-20!

40 – Volbeat: God of Angels Trust

The return of the Danish metal titans after a few years off has been a more than welcome one, as their ninth album is pretty incredible! You always know exactly what to get from the band, but rarely do they misstep, this being another great, similar release in their catalogue. Whether it’s chuggy almost thrash or their slower, more anthemic, stadium-filling stuff, they do it all as well as they ever have here. It’s 44-minutes of awesome hard rock/metal music in a style that’s only Volbeat can seem to pull off. When I first reviewed it, I wasn’t quite as sold on it as their previous album. However, after a good few spins since, it has grown on me a lot and is definitely up there with that release! It’s packed full of high points, from huge choruses to awesome riffs, and is a must check out for anyone who’s even a passing fan of the band! It still got a 9/10 from us then, but may even be a touch higher now. It very much deserves its slot on the list, and would have been higher had it not been such a good year!

Check out our reaction here!

Listen to: By a Monster’s Hand, Acid Rain, and Better Be Fueled than Tamed

39 – Ian Munsick: Eagle Feather

This is an absolutely INCREDIBLE country-Americana album that has somehow grown on me even more since first hearing it back in April. This thing is packed full of excellent track after excellent track, even at over an hour in length, and it goes by in a flash! His voice is so interesting for a country artist, and packed full of emotion throughout, just like his lyrics. From beauty to heartbreak, it’s all covered perfectly throughout, and by one of the best storytellers around in country today. And, whether you’re into a more neo-traditional country sound or not, this is well worth checking out, as I truly think it has a little bit of something for everyone. Want country rock? Check out ‘Stampede’. More of a pop sound? ‘God Bless the West’. Straight yo Americana? The opening two tracks. There’s a reason we gave it a massive 9.5/10 when we reviewed it, with the length being the only thing that still may keep it from top marks. However, it still more than deserves its slot on this list, and may get even higher on another day!

Listen to: Horses Not Hearts, God Bless the West, and Fixin’ Me

38 – Whitechapel: Hymns in Dissonance

Absolute brutality for 43-straight minutes, and an album I’ve seen talked about a lot in lists like this, and for very good reason! As much as I enjoyed Kin, I know there are those in the bands fanbase who didn’t, and see this as a return to their former sound, as well as a return to form. Honestly, it’s hard to argue! From the riffing to the drums to the screams, it’s all crushingly heavy and so well written and performed. And, every song is incredible, it all flowing together so well. It’s certainly not a release for everyone, but if you are into the heavier side of metal, I’m sure you’ve already checked out this masterpiece already! We only gave it an 8/10 back in March, but it has definitely grown on me a lot with more listens. An incredibly worthy entry to the list!

Listen to: Prisoner 666, A Visceral Retch, and Mammoth God

37 – Whiskey Myers: Whomp Whack Thunder

Somehow an album I missed until a couple of days too late, this is another excellent release from one of my favourite country artists. The band can really do no wrong at this point, as we loved their last album too! This release follows that one up perfectly, packed with awesome southern rock instrumentation and some incredible vocals, lyrics and melodies from Cody. And, from boot-stompin’ rockers to slower, emotional ballads, this album once again has a little bit of everything! If you are at all into country, southern stuff or hard rock, this is an absolute must of an album for you! There isn’t a bad track on the album and it goes by in a flash! It more than deserves its slot on this list, and it gets an incredibly easy 9/10 from us!

Listen to: Time Bomb, Rowdy Days, and Midnight Woman

36 – Biohazard: Divided We Fall

The return album from the hardcore thrash legends was everything as good as it was expected to be. It’s the perfect encapsulation of the anger in the world currently; from the lyrics to the riffing to the breakdowns, it’s all so great and fitting to the recent climate. It’s also an incredibly fun listen, and all 11 tracks on it are awesome and highlights in their own right. It’s impossible not to have a good time and actually feel something listening to this, and I’d recommend it to anyone to try at least once, regardless of what sort of music you like. It got a massive and very easy 9.5/10 from us when it dropped, but it may get even higher than that after a few more listens. It’s the perfect hardcore album of this style, and is very close to being the best album in the style this year… more on that later…

Listen to: Fuck the System, Eyes on Six, and Fight to be Free

35 – Ward XVI: Id3ntity

Overtone’s most anticipated album ever at this point I think finally dropped back in summer, and honestly lived up to the hype, insanely! Part three of the Psychoberry trilogy ends things in fitting, grandiose and dark fashion, the band doing their usual genre-blending just as perfectly as ever. From hard-rock to folk to gothic to heavy to modern metals to flashes of everything from Reggaeton to electronic, there is a bit of just about everything, and a hell of a lot of different instruments. And, in typical concept fashion, it all flows perfectly and seamlessly together. There really isn’t a bad track on this thing.

The band are not only known for putting on one of the best live shows, underground or otherwise, but their studio work really speaks for itself too at this point. It’s a fun, epic listen from start to finish, and one that I’d recommend to anyone! I am desperate to see it live so hope we get another tour or some festival slots in 2026, but I am more than happy to keep spinning this in the meantime. A solid 9.5/10 from us and a worthy addition to the list!

Check out our interview with them here!

Listen to: Regeneration, Macabaret, and Blood is the New Black

34 – Jon Pardi: Honkytonk Hollywood

The neo-traditional country legend returned back in April to follow up his 2022 release. I loved this when it came out, but for some reason then didn’t revisit it much for a while. However, when coming back to it when getting this release going, I remembered just how fucking excellent it truly is! From front to back this album is packed full of banger after banger. Be it a catchy country-rock radio hit or slower, emotion-filled ballad, it’s all so good. It’s almost an hour long but doesn’t feel it at all, going by in no time at all. I did enjoy Mr Saturday Night, but this definitely tops it, honestly up there alongside California Sunrise for me! There’s a reason he’s still one of the biggest names in the genre some ten years after he broke out, and output like this is a fantastic example of it. It got a massive 9/10 from us back then, and I am very inclined to agree with that still now, if not a 9.5! Much like with previous entries, if it was a smidge shorter it may have gotten even higher up, but it still earns a damn good place on our list!

Listen to: Boots Off, Rush, and Love the Lights Out

33 – Shiraz Lane: In Vertigo

Album number four from the AOR/sleazy hard rock quintet blew me away a couple of months ago when it released, and still does so whenever I go back to check it out now! It’s packed full of massive riffing, arena-filling choruses and absolutely stellar production. The band have really stepped up with this release, and this is coming from someone who was a big fan of their last couple of albums! Each of these 10 tracks are truly as good as the last, and the album is worth a listen if you are at all into rock music. It’s insane that they aren’t a bigger name worldwide, but this release is certainly set to push them to that level, I’m sure! It’s an incredibly fun release, as well as having moments of heartfeltness and some great ballads. It was a very easy 9.5/10 upon release, and after a few more listens it’s hard to say any differently. Another well-earned entry into our list!

Listen to: Stone Cold Lover, Dangerous, and Sayonara Love

32 – The Smith Street Band: Once I Was Wild

For anyone who hasn’t guessed by now, this isn’t typically my sort of music. However, the phenomenal writing and emotion bleeding from every single song drew me in and made me a massive new fan of this band last month. It’s on the heavier side of indie rock, definitely giving off Frank Turner vibes in the best ways. And yeah, this is a beautiful, bittersweet release that you cannot stop once you start, 41-minutes going by in a flash. Maybe it’s more of a reflection of my questionable mental health currently, but hey, this is my list, I can do what I want! This is an incredible, powerful, grandiose release that everyone needs to listen to at least once. It’s given me goosebumps, made me laugh and cry, and it’s only been out for a month! Instrumentally or vocally it’s nothing special, but it all works so well with the powerful lyrics that I really can’t get enough of it. 9/10 doesn’t seem to do it justice after a few more listens, so it would definitely get higher than I gave it before.

Listen to: Once I Was Wild, Constellation, and The Morning After

31 – Finger Eleven: Last Night on Earth

The Canadian alt-rockers’ return to the studio after a decade didn’t disappoint, and very much lived up to the hype! From the absolutely MASSIVE riffing to the catchy as anything choruses to, once again, some of the best production around today, everything about this release works so well together. And it’s also paced perfectly; the slower and faster tracks complimenting each other excellently and making for an incredibly easy 40-minute listen! It’s very much a throwback to the early 2000s radio rock sound that I grew up, so there is a touch of nostalgia here too, but give this a listen and try to tell me it isn’t excellent, it’s impossible. It’s equal parts beautiful and rocking, and it’s easy to see why they’re such a big name across the pond. A surprisingly slightly low 9/10 from us last month, it’s a truly amazing album and another I’d wholly recommend to anyone even slightly interested!

Listen to: Adrenaline, Lock Me Up, and Perfect Effigy

30 – Dominum: The Dead Don’t Die

The second album on this list to be dropped in December of 2024, I have been obsessed with it ever since! They’re my favourite modern power metal band, and they knocked it out of the park once again with their second release. I loved their debut, but this builds on everything from that record and very much turns it up to 11. Every chorus is stadium-fillingly catchy, and the album as a whole sounds MASSIVE, from the instrumentation to the perfect production. Dr Dead is honestly a genius when it comes to power metal, and has crafted something truly special with this release, just like he did with Hey Living People. It’s another album I’d recommend to absolutely anyone, and don’t be surprised if you come out of it having found one of your favourite new bands like I have these last two years! It was another album we gave a huge 9.5/10 to when it dropped, and it’s hard to argue against that still all these months later. Yet another worthy addition to the list!

Check out our interview with Dr Dead here!

Listen to: One of Us, The Dead Don’t Die, and Happy Deadly Ending

29 – Chris Young: I Didn’t Come Here to Leave

Just because this is a little lower on the list than his last one, it doesn’t mean that this isn’t still a phenomenal country album, and album overall for that matter! Chris is one of my favourite artists full stop, and I think he’s found the perfect formula for his particular brand of noise. This thing is packed to the brim with awesome songs, from more up-beat numbers to ballads, and smartly alternates between the two for most of the release. It’s the perfect mid 2000s radio-country album, with just enough rock to keep it interesting, and there really isn’t a bad song on it. It hasn’t gotten nearly enough love as it deserves, even though we gave it an 8.5/10 back in October. However, after a few listens it has grown on me even more, it being an incredibly well-rounded release, and is easily 9+ now! From a drinkin’, party mood to a more emotional track or two, Chris does it all so well, and I can’t recommend this album to anyone even slightly curious. It more than deserves its slot on this list, and is another that could be higher on any given day!

Listen to: Some Around Here, I Feel a Cold One Coming On, and Pour Some Whiskey on It

28 – Coheed and Cambria: The Father of Make Believe

Some more proggy alt hard rock, this time from the American legends and their tenth album. I’m going to put it straight out there; as beautiful as the opener is, it’s a terrible way to kick off the album. Especially when after that it’s a tour de force of everything Claudio and co. do so damn well. I get how much of a storyteller and concept artist he is and ‘Yesterday’s Gone’ probably fit the narrative better, but ‘Goodbye, Sunshine’ is a banger and would have been an excellent opener. That being said, the album as a whole is phenomenal. It’s the best flow an album has on this entire list, every song following on perfectly from one to the best, and an hour (1:15 for the New Entities edition) is so easy to sit and rock through. As much as I loved Vaxis II, this is something else dude. I’d put it up there alongside their best releases, for sure. From prog to slower ballads to heavier, hardcore-punk infused stuff, there is so much variety to keep you going, too. I wish I was even a fraction as creative as these guys, and I can never get enough when they put out new music. It got 9.5/10 and for damn good reason!

Listen to: The Father of Make Believe, Meri of Mercy, and Blind Side Sonny

27 – Rivers of Nihil: Self-Titled

I’m going to make a potentially wild claim here, but I stand by it: technical death metal may have never sounded so good as it does on this album. This has absolutely everything, from heaviness to scream, huge clean melodies to technical riffing and soloing and even some sexy sax, and the band pull it all off perfectly. The talent throughout is off the charts, and I’ve listened through all 10 tracks of this a fair bit since it dropped back in May. If you are at all into the heavy stuff, I truly cannot recommend this release enough! It got one of the easiest 10/10s I’ve ever given, and very easily made it this high up the list! If it wasn’t for some insanely strong albums later on, it’d have gotten even higher!

Listen to: The Sub-Orbital Blues, Despair Church, and Evidence

26 – Stray From the Path: Clockworked

Dropping the same week as the previous entry, it just edged it out for a higher spot due to how incredible the lyrics and overall vibe is. I told you hardcore was back in a big way this year, and no one does it better than the Long Island metalcore/hardcore punkers. The bounce, the heaviness, the attitude, it’s all fantastic from start to finish. It’s angry, and perfectly fitting for the current state of the world. It feels like an absolutely wild time for a band like this to be calling it quits, but they’re very much going out with a bang! We adored their last album but this one may be even better, honestly! 9/10 sounds far too low in retrospect, another album that could potentially get top marks now I’ve listened to it a few times! Check it out if you are at all curious!

Listen to: Fuck Them All to Hell, Shot Caller, and Can I Have your Autograph?

25 – Fury: Interceptor

Talk about an entire album being stuck in my head for nearly four months now! This is a hard rock/AOR masterclass from one of the very best in the NWOCR scene! From the riffing to the solid drumming to the stadium-filling choruses and harmonies, it’s all perfectly written and performed. The band have been going for a little while now and really have aged like a fine wine, this maybe being my favourite release from them! Every song is as good as the last, and it’s an incredibly easy 40+ minute listen. There’s a reason this got an impressive 9.5/10 from us, and just give it a listen if you don’t believe me and try to tell me it’s any less! It’s an incredible album, and one that is more than deserving its place here!

Check out our interview with them here!

Listen to: Interceptor, On the Town, and DTR

24 – Kip Moore: Solitary Tracks

This is how you do a long release well! The modern country/Americana legend blew me away at the start of the year, and produced an album that I have revisited plenty of times throughout the last 10 months. How is that someone can do a 22-track, 85-minute album, and it’s still all THIS GOOD? And, from up-tempo country bangers to more soft-rock inspired stuff to ballads, it’s got it all, and done perfectly. If any of that catches your fancy, check out this album immediately! It’s not going to be an album for everyone, but goddamn do I love this to pieces. It’s another that has grown on me more and more, and once again the 9/10 we gave it doesn’t feel enough any more! Certainly Kip’s most complete work to date!

Listen to: High Hopes, Like Ya Stole It, and Live Here to Work

23 – Sarayasign: Shadows of the Dying Light

Oh look, even more incredible AOR music! It’s like a heavier, groove-metal infused Bon Jovi, and I still can’t get enough two months later. And it’s somehow another album over an hour in length that is packed full of bangers, making for an incredibly easy listen. It’s all pretty epic stuff, and relatively cheesy (if done so well it’s only boarderline) so it certainly won’t be for everyone. I love it though, and it’s honestly a crime that they aren’t bigger than they are currently. They deserve to be playing this to huge festival crowds, as it would fit so well. They’re all insanely talented players and songwriters, and have crafted something special here! If you are into rock in any capacity, give this a spin, you’ll surely get as lost in it as I do. An incredibly easy 9.5/10 from us easily cemented this it’s high position on our list!

Listen to: Worlds Apart, Shades of Black, and Throne of Gold Part III

22 – LessDMV: Epitaph II

Y’all should know by now how much I adore Julian’s work. It’s been all over Overtone’s various avenues for a few years now, and this somehow feels like the culmination of all of it. 53-minutes of incredible, gothic hard rock/metal, all of it being excellent. Julian and his brother are amazing at writing heavy stuff or emotional ballads, and he has one of the best vocals across any genre today. And while its main aspect is gothic, it feels fresh; there isn’t really anyone sounding like this around currently. It’s packed full of memorable moments and some of the best tracks across all his projects, as well as being a release I have revisited again and again since its release in May. Some of it still gives me goosebumps or blows me away all these months later. I know he’s already teasing new music, but I can’t get enough of this still to be able to focus on anything else he’d put out! It was an incredibly easy 10/10 in our review, and I still fully stand by this now!

Listen to: Hysteria, The One, and In the Dark

21 – Blake Shelton: For Recreational Use Only

The big man himself put out his highly anticipated follow-up to 2021’s Body Language, and somehow topped that already stellar album! Right from the excellent opening track through the other three excellent singles and every amazing album track around them, it’s 40 minutes of perfect 2000s country music. The fact that he’s been putting out music for nearly two and a half decades now and is still releasing stuff of this calibre is amazing, especially in country! ‘Texas’ has been a frequent ear-worm for a solid year at this point, but there is plenty more to love alongside that on this album. It’s another album that still puts a lump in my throat all these listens later, and got an incredibly deserving 9.5/10 in its review!

An excellent way to cap off part 4, now… let’s get to the last few…

Listen to: Texas, Hangin’ On, and Cold Can

<-   Part 3.                          Part 5   ->

Features

The Top Albums of 2025 – Part 3!

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Part three of our list and things are really starting to heat up! We’ve already had some excellent albums across genres, and here are 20 more! Are there any missing that you think will be in the top 40?

60 – Cory Marks: Sorry for Nothing Vol. 1 & 2

Yep, we’re starting off this part with a cheeky wildcard/twofer. Sorry. And yes, it’s even cheekier that Vol. 1 came out in December ‘24. However, it was the very first week for it, as the cut-off for this is end of November. And, with both being from the same collection, it counts, alright? So yes, technically it’s the top 101 albums of 2025…

Cory is the perfect blend of modern country music and early 2000s radio rock (dad rock as it’s now known *shiver*). And the fact that he cannot only pull off both styles perfectly, but combine them at times effortlessly too, across a full nearly 90 minutes is incredible and a true testament to his talents! There is somehow very little filler across both releases, too. If you are into country or rock at all (why are you reading this website if you aren’t into either?) then I cannot recommend these albums enough. From the chunky riffing to the arena-filling choruses, he’s an amazing songwriter, and he and his band perform it incredibly. He fits perfectly alongside people from both sides of his sound, and it’s easy to hear why we gave both parts a solid 9/10. It’s very much like all the best parts of Nickelback, and more than deserves its spot on our list!

Listen to: (Make My) Country Rock, Change the Game, and Wild Ride

59 – Arch Enemy: Blood Dynasty

This is a slightly odd release now, with Alissa rather abruptly leaving the band just a few weeks back. However, their last album with her at the front is maybe my favourite one since their earlier days, and it has somehow grown on me more and more! Its basis is the bands usual melodeath style that they do so far, but they build it into much more than that here. From clean vocals to thrasher bits to even a more epic power ballad, this release pulls so much from other metal facets, yet still feels distinctly Arch Enemy. And it’s a perfectly solid 42-minutes, with each of the 11 songs being excellent. As excited as I am for where Alissa goes solo, I’ll definitely miss her being in the band. However, not only have they managed to prove that they can make a banging album without Loomis involved, but really went out on a high with the Alissa-era. We gave it an incredibly solid 9/10, and there was no way it wasn’t making it this high on this list!

Listen to: The Dream Stealer, Don’t Look Down, and Vivre Libre

58 – DOROTHY: THE WAY

Another album, another year-ending list for the LA hard rocker. Yet again she smashes it out of the park with her studio release, this being up there with anything she’s put out prior. This thing is a solid blues-infused hard rock release, and the deluxe edition is somehow even better! From the awesome riffing to her powerful vocals and arena-filling choruses, it’s all so damn good, and there really isn’t a bad song throughout. It’s a shame that she seems to have no interest in touring the UK or Europe, as I’d love to see all of this live! This got a massive 9.5/10 back in March, and it’so hard to argue with that all these months later. It more than deserves its place on this list, and would have been higher if it wasn’t for so much awesome music dropping in 2025!

Listen to: MUD, TOMBSTONE TOWN, and UNHOLY WATER

57 – Testament: Para Bellum

After five long years off, the thrash legends returned back in October and really took no prisoners with this release! This thing is a masterclass of heavy thrash metal, and proves that they are still one of the top bands to ever do it. There are a number of bands from the 70s and 80s that have been putting out great new music in recent years, but I would argue none have done it as well or consistently as Testament. And nearly four decades into their music-releasing career, they went heavier than ever, which is fucking awesome! And yet they still squeeze a rare-heard ballad in here for good measure too, it being an incredibly well-rounded and easy to listen to album, even at nearly an hour! I gave it a 9/10 when it dropped, but I may even rank it a touch higher at this point, it really is that good! If you are at all into the band or the genre in general, I can’t recommend this enough, it’s up there with some of their best.

Listen to: For the Love of Pain, Infanticide A.I., and Meant to Be

56 – The Darkness: Dreams on Toast

The British light-hearted rockers returned with their first album since 2021 way back in March, and may have released their strongest album since their debut. It also marked the longest gap between albums the band had aside for their hiatus, which could potentially explain things. It’s a varied 33-minutes of rock music that is constantly interesting and a lot of fun throughout. Whether a foot-stomper, a stadium anthem or a ballad, this album has it all, and has just enough tongue-in-cheek to still feel so distinctly Darkness. Heck, there’s plenty of quirkier influence too, from ELO to Queen and even some country! I know the band are somewhat controversial lately due to the Hawkins’ comments about Yungblud, but that doesn’t stop this from being a damn good album written and performed by four incredibly talented musicians. If you are at all into rock music, this is a must check out for you! Heck, we gave it top marks when we reviewed it, so that should really speak for itself, right?

Listen to: I Hate Myself, The Longest Kiss, and Walking Through Fire

55 – Liam St John: Man of the North

Despite me still feeling like it doesn’t open well, this is an absolutely incredible blues/soul/Americana album. It’s packed full of emotion but also effortlessly swaggering and cool throughout. It also somehow feels like the perfect combination of old-school blues and a more modern twist. Liam has tapped into something truly special here, channelling his influences in a way to create a sound that we really don’t have a lot of these days, and it fits in across most rock and country scenes. And for such a new artist to be putting something out of this high quality is truly incredible. I discovered him at Long Road this year and was immediately obsessed, so the fact that this album came out just a couple of weeks later and cemented me as a firm big fan of his is a true testament to the man’s songwriting and talents. The only thing that’s dropped it a couple of places on this list is it’s length, though even then I’ve happily listened to it through a good few times since September, even if it does slow down in its last third. Another incredibly easy 9/10 from us, and another that is more than deserving of his slot on this list!

Listen to: Believer, forefathers, and Dipped in Bleach

54 – Daedric: As the Light Left

The modern metal powerhouse’s second album storms onto this list, just like her debut did back in 2023. This is the perfect mix of heavy and beautifully ethereal, and is impossible to stop listening to until it’s all finished. Her scream is incredible, and fits amazingly over the top of the heavy riffs, but her powerful cleans are just as good, and utilised perfectly throughout. I’ve said it before (in our review, no less) and I’ll say it again, Daedric is everything I wish Spiritbox was. They are somehow getting better and better every time they put out new music, and I am so excited to see the heights they can reach, as with output like this they more than deserve it! If you are at all into the aforementioned band, or anything from Poppy to THE DEFECT to Bad Omens, I cannot recommend this enough. It’s an excellent metal album that got a very easy 9/10 back in October, and was a very easy addition to this list!

Listen to: The Other Terror, Night Mother, and Dark Legacy

53 – Igorrr: Amen

There was no way this wild slice of experimentation wasn’t making this list. The Frenchman blew me away with his last release back in 2020, and this continues on from that album pretty perfectly. And, whether it’s epic blackened death metal, more orchestral, cinematic arrangements or straight up dubstep, everything he touches here turns to gold. Don’t get me wrong, this is certainly not an album for everyone, but I loved it and have revisited it multiple times since it dropped back in September. Gautier just does things completely different to everyone else out there, and honestly feels like a creative evil genius on par with Danny Elfman at this point. And somehow, this three-quarters-of-an-hour release that genre-blends and hops constantly goes by in a flash, reflecting on its quality. If you are at all curious or like his other work, do check this out! While I still maintain the opinion that it’s not quite as good as Spirituality and Distortion, it’s still a damn good album, and certainly deserving of the 9/10 we gave it, as well as it’s slot on our list.

Listen to: Headbutt, Blastbeat Falafel, and Pure Disproportionate Black and White Nihilism

52 – Vincent Mason: There I Go

For someone who I somehow hadn’t heard any of until the start of November, I have become pretty heavily obsessed with this album since! Having the energy, vibe and lyrical content of the more indie-Americana sound I love currently, but with more of a country twang to it, he’s got an amazing style. And, while this is another country release on the longer side, it’s packed full of incredible highs and doesn’t have a bad song throughout! It’s also packed full of emotion and catchy choruses, and what more can you ask for from country music? A good half of this album is on my personal playlist, and certain tracks still give me goosebumps over a month later. If you’re a country, Americana, indie etc fan, this is certainly an album you need to check out immediately! And the fact that it’s a debut album, DAMN. It was yet another album I gave 9/10 to in my review, and it more that deserves it!

Listen to: Little Miss, Damned if I Do, and Wish you Well

51 – Sumo Cyco: NEON VOID

Album four from the former Canadian teen pop-punker and her band seemed to have come out of nowhere this year. After not seeing much of them after their 2021 release, they exploded back onto my radar with a host of awesome singles leading up to this release. And the singles are hardly the lot of it either, as this whole album slaps from front to back! 41-minutes of fun pop-metal; equal parts heavy riffing and mainstream hooks. She’s such an interesting vocalist, powerful, catchy melodies and still the odd scream thrown in for good measure. After sitting with it for a couple of months, I honestly think it’s the most well-rounded album they’ve put out, every track being awesome and there being some interesting pace changes throughout. It got a solid 8.5/10 when we reviewed it, but I’d definitely say it’s closer to a 9 after a few listens. If you’re at all into stuff like Tonight Alive, Skindred or Butcher Babies, check this out ASAP!

Listen to: SHIVERS, VILLAINS, and CLOCKWORK

50 – H.E.A.T.: Welcome to the Future

There isn’t nearly enough cheesy AOR on this list this year, but arguably the modern kings of it gave us one of their best albums to date back in April. The second album since original vocalist Kenny’s return goes hard for a full 45-minutes, and is packed full of MASSIVE riffs and stadium-filling choruses. It’s impossible not to love this band and album, and every track is as good as the last, all of them being stuck in my head for days at a time at various parts of the year. It’s insane to me that they aren’t one of the biggest bands currently around, but this style of music doesn’t get nearly as much love as it should! It got a 9/10 from me when it dropped, but honestly after so many listens it may be even higher than that now. Check this out if you are at all into big, cheesy choruses, and I only wish I could have put it higher!

Listen to: Disaster, Running to You, and Tear it Down

49 – Muscadine Bloodline: …And What was Left Behind & Longleaf Lo-Fi

Oops, it’s another twofer… oh well, it’s my list, I can do what I want!

The first of this releases has been floating around high on my list since it dropped back in April. And, while it was left-over tracks from their 2024 release, Their follow-up back in November felt like it also fit the same vibe so well that In struggled to separate them. Both are fantastic country-Americana releases from the duo, packed with great harmonies, emotion-filled lyrics and some great instrumentation. And, at barely an hour across both albums, it’s not even that massive an undertaking, especially for country! It’s simple, chilled-out modern country music, and if you’re a fan of that at all these albums are a must! Somehow I missed reviewing Lo-Fi, but gave Left Behind an incredible solid 9.5/10, and it’s easy to hear why if you listen! Though I have found other albums and releases in this style I’ve enjoyed more through the year, both of these together easily still get that score, and are solidly entered into this list!

Listen to: Ain’t For Sale, Deer in the Headlights, My Meridian, and You Will be Loved

48 – Dinosaur Pile-Up: I’ve Felt Better

There’s just something about Dinosaur Pile-Up, man. There is no one out there doing what they do, and their brand of punk-hard rock-indie fusion is a hell of a lot of fun. This album thankfully picks right up where Celebrity Mansions left off six years prior, with Matt barely showing any signs of his life-threatening health issues over the last few years, aside for in his lyrics. Back when ‘Back Foot’ dropped they seemed like the next big thing, and while their momentum dipped a little, this has done a fantastic job of bringing them back on track! It’s yet another album packed full of awesome songs, with most of it ending up on my personal playlist after just a couple of listens. It’s also an incredibly varied album, with plenty of emotion and vulnerability on display at times, while they still show their fun, light-hearted side on the likes of ‘My Way’ and ‘Big Dogs’. From the big riffs, solid drums and anthemic choruses, it’s honestly the perfect Dinosaur Pile-up album, and I’d put it up there with their last couple of releases easily.

I’ve been obsessed with it since August, and would urge absolutely everyone reading this to give it a try. It was another big 9/10 from us back in August, but it may be even higher than that for me now!

Listen to: ‘Bout to Lose It, My Way, and Quasimodo Melonheart

47 – XIII Doors: Into the Unknown

The debut album from the Irish melodic hard rock band is just as good now as it was when I first checked it out back in February! The mixture of early 2000s radio-rock/arena-filling choruses and plenty of Tremonti-style riffs is perfect, and performed to perfection here. It’s another short and sweet album, just eight tracks packed into an excellent 33 minute package. There truly isn’t a bad track on this album, and there is so much to love throughout. The band have a massive future ahead of them, and this album will be looked back on as the launching pad for that in years to come! There’s a reason I gave it top marks in my review, and I’d recommend this album to absolutely anyone. There is no way it wasn’t making this list, and it more than deserves as high as it’s got! I look forward to hearing where they go in the future!

Listen to: Unleash the Beast, Face the Truth, and Into the Unknown

46 – Frankie Ballard: The Messanger

This is where I really wish I could have put albums higher up. Not to say that everyone above isn’t incredible and could have gotten higher up without the next lot, but this is where the list became almost impossible for me to order!

This is an absolute masterclass in blues, Americana and country. His first album in nearly a decade and it was more than worth the wait, in this writers humble opinion! To put it into perspective, two thirds of this release made it onto my playlist, and the other four tracks aren’t particularly worse than the rest! It’s packed full of great guitaring, emotional and fantastic vocal delivery and some infectiously catchy melodies and choruses. It dropped back in March and honestly I’ve lost track of how much I’ve spun it since then, even the album in full or its many, many highlight tracks. How I haven’t seen much love for it when it dropped or around this time of year is beyond me! If you are into any sort of facet of blues, check this out immediately, you’re bound to love it as much as I do! It was another release with top marks in its review, and it’s practically impossible to argue with that all these months later!

Listen to: Dirty Church Clothes, Shine, and Fenceless Freedom

45 – The Heavy Souls: Have you Got Soul

Our good friends put out their debut album back at the start of the year, and absolutely blew me away with it! An absolute powerhouse of hard rock/blues riffing from front to back, channelling the likes of Rival Sons and Wolfmother perfectly. And, on top of that, plenty of soaring, powerful vocals that fit perfectly over the top! Whether it’s a plodding blues pace or a more uptempo hard rock one, the band pull both styles off so well and it flows perfectly throughout. There is no wonder they have received such praise over the last year or so, and have really built themselves up to a force to be reckoned with already in the UK underground scene. An incredibly solid 9/10 back in February that still stands now, and a worthy addition to the list!

Listen to: Have you Got Soul, Sleepwalking, and She Said

44 – Wretched Path: Sea of Death

Somehow an album I missed when it dropped back in March, I’ve become a little obsessed with it since! The Finnish modern death metal band’s release has somehow slipped under the radar of a lot of people, 121 monthly listens for this is criminal, but I am very proudly one of them! This is barely half-an-hour of perfect brutality, not letting up from start to finish. It’s certainly not an album for everyone reading this, but if you are into your metal on the heavier side, this is an absolute must! From the riffing to the arrangement, drums to the screams, it’s all excellent, and a true masterclass of what death metal is in 2025. It prompted me to also listen back to their 2022 debut, which is also good, but this builds on everything on that perfectly. I can’t give it any less than 9/10, and it more than earns its spot on our list!

Listen to: Release of Violence, Apophis, and

43 – Kelsy Karter & the Heroines: Love Made me Do it

Nearly 11 full months on, this is still an absolutely excellent pop-rock album! I’m so glad Kelsy is getting the love her and the Heroines so sorely deserve, with them recently touring Europe supporting Halestorm, and this album surely went a good way into making that happen! This is packed full of so many incredible radio hooks, backed up perfectly by the excellent instrumentation. Whether it’s slower power ballads or straight up rock tracks, it has a bit of everything, and 50-minutes goes by in a flash! I gush about it even more in my review, and it was yet another 10/10 album, a score I fully stand by after god knows how many listens all these months later. As I said earlier in the Frankie entry, I really wish I could put this higher, and honestly on any given day it could jump up a good few places. It’s an absolutely stellar album and one that I’d recommend everyone check out at least once!

Listen to: Daughter of the Night, Laser to the Heart, and Painkiller

42 – Foreign Affairs: Brothers

Oh look, another phenomenal debut album! The sheer quality of this for a first release is absolutely insane, too. It explores so many different styles too, whether it’s indie, country, Americana or rock, all of them pulled off to perfection! It’s a powerful album too, emotion being a thread throughout and it still giving me goosebumps at times some three months later. The pair are so damn talented, both as players and songwriters, and have crafted something truly special with this release. It was a very easy 9.5/10 back in September, and I very much stand by that now still. It’s an excellent album and another artist that I can see being a massive name sooner rather than later!

Listen to: Killer Spell, I’m on Fire, and One Minute

41 – All Time Low: Everyone’s Talking

The modern pop punk legends returned with an absolute stormer of an album this year, topping the already great Tell me I’m Alive from 2023. It’s the closest they’ve sounded to their old-school sound in years, yet still have a modern edge and production to it. And it’s also packed full of incredible tracks and huge choruses, just like the band have become so well known for. On top of that, Alex proves that he is one of the most underrated storytellers in the business, weaving a tale of how he’s feeling the last couple of years. I was eagerly anticipating this since I first heard ‘SUCKERPUNCH’, and since the album dropped I’ve been a little obsessed! It got a 9/10 from us, but honestly after a few listens I may put it even higher than that now! It’s a fun, surprisingly deep album and is a great way to close out this part of the list!

Listen to: SUCKERPUNCH, The Weather, and Little Bit

<- Part 2

Part 4 ->

Features

The Top Albums of 2025!

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Here we are, that time of the year again! The month where I go insane and try to rank 100 out of the over 500 albums I’ve listened to this year into the order in which I enjoyed them the most. It’s equal parts subjective and objective, and I’m convinced I’ve left off so many excellent albums, so if your favourites aren’t here, I’m sorry and they are most likely awesome! Without further ado, let’s dive into the chaos, shall we?

100 – Eli Young Band: Strange Hours

Yep, that’s how strong we’re starting. I told you it’s been a tough year! The Texan country band put out their seventh studio album back at the start of August, and it’s been a mainstay in my rotation since then. It was the perfect summer album, combining catchy vocals and harmonies with their brand of country which perfectly combines pop, rock and Americana. I’ve been a fan of the band a few years now, and this is easily my favourite release from them in that timeframe. It’s a strong album from start to finish, being an incredibly easy 43-minutes of chilled-out, catchy country to listen to! It’s so well written and put together, the perfect inoffensive release into the genre that covers pretty much all bases. So, if you even have a passing interest in the genre, I’d definitely recommend checking it out! We gave it a solid 9/10 upon release, and I very much stand by that now!

Listen to: Nothing on the Wild, All Good with Me, and Everybody Else

99 – Circus 66: Elements

Album #2 from the UK hard rockers blew me away back in March, and upon revisiting it for this list, I was blown away once again! It’s nearly 50 minutes of awesome, foot-stompin’, sleazy guitar riffing and soaring vocals, and I love it! The band are all insanely talented, everyone getting their time to shine plenty throughout, and have crafted an excellent collection of NWOCR tracks here. It’s impossible not to have a good time listening to this, and I cannot recommend it enough to any rock fans out there. It’s insane to me that they aren’t a massive band already, but they have killed it with this release and are very much looking like 2026 will be a breakout year for them! It’s very easy to hear why we gave it 9/10, and why it makes it onto our list!

Listen to: Replace the Pain, We All Need Saving, and Love on the Other Side

98 – An Evening With Knives: End of Time

This proggy alt metal release from towards the start of the year came five years after their previous studio album, and showed just how much the band had grown and matured. It’s heavy, groovy and melodic in all the best ways, and somehow combines together elements of everything from stoner and desert rock to prog to heavy metal to plenty in between! The trio are insanely talented, all playing their asses off from front to back, and have produced something truly special with this release, managing to sound pretty unique at a time when that is almost impossible! If you are into anything from QOTSA to Tool to even Machine Head and Devildriver, do yourselves a favour and check this out ASAP! It got a very easy 9/10 from us when it dropped, and I fully stand by that rating now, showing just why it made the cut for this list!

Listen to: Pride of Lions, Death and The Mistake

97 – Trick or Treat: Ghosted

This epic slab of old-school heavy metal mixed with more old-school power metal is just as fantastic now as it was in April when it first dropped. Combining sounds like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Hammerfall and their spooky, horror theming works perfectly, and makes for a solid album as it is. Then you take into account just how phenomenally talented every band member is, from the vocals to the drumming to the soloing and riffing, it’s all so good, and it’s so very easy to fall in love with this release. It’s stacked to the brim with awesome tracks, and even some awesome guest appearances from Adrienne Cowen and Christopher Bowes. 45-minutes still now goes by in a flash even after a few listens. If you’re into power metal you’re probably already checking it out from reading this, but if not I’d definitely recommend it to just about any music fan. It’s got someone of the biggest choruses of the year. Yet another very solid 9/10 from us, and incredibly deserving of its spot on our list!

Listen to: Craven Road, Bloodmoon, and Evil Dead Never Sleeps

96 – The Rasmus: Weirdo

The 11th studio album from the pop/alt metal band goes far harder than I feel almost anyone expected before it released! From genuinely heaving riffing to being packed full of their typically arena-filling choruses, it very much felt like a return to the top after a few years of honestly a little middling releases. Don’t get me wrong, it is still a touch cringy at times lyrically, but that is almost part of the charm with this sort of music! It’s barely half an hour and an incredibly easy listen, and a release I’d recommend to anyone into more of a poppy hook! It’s a sound I feel nostalgic for despite never really getting into it much in my teen years, so for anyone who was more into the band or stuff like Him, it would probably get even higher. It got another incredibly solid 9/10 from us and is more than deserving it’s spot on this list!

Listen to: Creatures of Chaos, Dead Ringer, and You Want it All

95 – Lacuna Coil: Sleepless Empire

The symphonic/industrial metal powerhouses very much returned to form in 2025, and this album is a huge indicator of that! This thing is catchy, heavy and packed with banger after banger. From the soaring operatic vocals to the harsh screams, both fit so well over the awesome, almost nu-metal infused instrumentation. It’s another album that goes hard from start to finish too, every song being as good as the last. They were a band I somehow didn’t get into much in my youth, so as a first full album by them I’ve check out, I’m a little obsessed! The only reason it is this low down is because it is so an insanely high quality year for new music! It still got another incredibly solid 9/10 from us, and if you’re even passingly into metal, I’d highly recommend giving this one a try!

Listen to: Oxygen, Scarecrow, and Hosting the Shadow

94 – Sleep Theory: Afterglow

Very much the breakout stars of 2025, the debut album from the metalcore upstarts has already set them up to be a huge name sooner rather than later. They channel massive early ADTR vibes in the best ways, especially since said band have taken a nosedive in recent years. It’s full of ch0nky riffs, huge choruses and some great screams, and is a fantastic 40-minute listen. I actually hadn’t revisited it too much since it’s May release, but having checked it out again while writing this list, I fell in love with it all over again. It’s incredibly radio/mainstream friendly, but that isn’t at all a bad thing. The band have worked their asses off on socials the last couple of years to make this a big release, and it has paid off in spades. However, the quality of the music is also high, certainly contributing to their fast success. If it was slightly more adventurous and innovative, it would have ended up even higher on the list but still, making it on here shows how high quality it is! I gave it 8.5/10 when it dropped, and I still agree with that now, but it may even sneak up to more like a 9 on some listens!

Listen to: Hourglass, Fallout, and Just a Mistake

93 – Cardinal Black: Midnight at the Valencia

This is a modern soft rock masterpiece. End of discussion. It gives off massive Genesis or Seal vibes, but definitely with a current day edge to it. Over half a year later and Tom’s vocals still give me goosebumps at times throughout. However, the arrangement of every song compliments his voice perfectly, everyone being incredible musicians and songwriters. While the band have certainly been on a lot of tongues the last couple of years, this truly felt like the year that Cardinal Black really broke out. And, this album is definitely a big reason for that! It’s fucking beautiful, and it’s an album that still makes me feel the same as I did the first time every time I spin it. The only reason it’s a little lower than maybe expected is because it does get a little samey after a while. However, when that similar stuff is all banging, it’s impossible not to love it, still! This got a whopping 9.5/10 from us and it’s hard not to still agree with that sentiment now!

Listen to: Ride Home, Breathe, and Morning Light

92 – Tanner Usrey: These Days

The first of a healthy handful of bands in this vaguely indie country-Americana sound that has gotten so big the last couple of years on this list. The fact that it is at this point in it certainly doesn’t diminish its quality either, as this is a fanatic release! It’s incredibly varied too, from blusy Southern rock to more of an indie flavour to even a more traditional country style. And, no matter the sound, it’s performed brilliantly and packed full of emotion from start to finish. My only slight complaint is that the pacing and arraignment of it is a little slow at times. However, every song is excellent, and it honestly has some of my favourite tracks of the year on it, the exceptional very much outweighing anything slightly less-so. I’d easily put this up there with his debut album, even if it hasn’t had quite as much love! We gave it a solid 9/10, and it more than earned its spot here!

Listen to: If you Call me Again, Bad Love, and With You

91 – Zach Top: Ain’t in it for my Health

Yes, I know, people are going to be BIG MAD for this being so low down on this list. He’s an absolutely massive artist for sure, and this is one hell of an album. My main bug to bare is that, as much as I love a classical country vibe typically, a lot of this is a touch on the slower side. That’s inherently not an issue at all, but it does get a touch old through the 50-minute length. However, there is no denying the HUGE talent on display throughout, from a songwriting, vocal and playing standpoint, and it’s easy to hear why he’s one of the biggest names in the genre currently. If you are at all a fan of traditional country music, this is well worth checking out. If it wasn’t for the genre having such a strong year again, this would certainly be higher up. We gave it a very solid 8.5/10, and it may have crept even higher than that since its release!

Listen to: Guitar, Splitsville, and Flip—Flop

90 – Pridian: Venetian Dark

The first debut album to make it onto our list this year, and it’s an awesome slab of modern metal from the Estonian four-piece. It’s the perfect blend of heavy, chuggy riffing, crushing drums and some awesome screams. Yet, it also still has moments of levity and cleanness throughout, the band clearly hugely talented to be able to put it all together! This thing came out all the way back in May and has spent the rest of the year pretty firmly in my rotation, blowing me away each time. It’s heavy, melodic and also rather menacing and gothic throughout, being an awesome combo! This is somehow one of the albums that we missed the week of its release, but it gets an incredibly deserving 9/10 now, and easily earned its spot on this list! Check it out if you are at all into melodic metal.

Listen to: Cyanide Dreams, Ruin, and Void Resonance

89 – Slaughter to Prevail: GRIZZLY

One of the most hyped albums of the year, at least in the deathcore scene, and to my shock it was a bit more of a grower on me than an immediate hit. Don’t get me wrong, it hits hard right from the first listen, but something about it didn’t hook me in immediately. Maybe it was because, much like my issues with Falling in Reverse or Electric Callboy in recent years, we’d heard a good chunk of the album before its release, and had sat with it for a while. So, while none of it is at all bad, it did feel ever so slightly underwhelming.

However, coming back to this album a couple of times since, I’ve definitely grown to appreciate it more! Alex is one of the best vocalists and frontmen in the game today, and the band behind him have crafted nearly an hour of crushingly heavy (but still fun) deathcore. If you are a fan of the heavier side of metal, I cannot recommend this enough. They deserve all the praise they get and the size they have climbed to, and this album very much cements them at the top of their style. As you could probably guess by this point, it got a 9/10 from us when it released, but it may be even slightly higher than that now!

Listen to: Russian Grizzly in America, Viking, and Lift That Shit

88 – Julia DiGrazia: All In

Another massive debut album, this time from a woman who’s already becoming a powerhouse in country. Having gotten her first big break on her and Evan Honer’s (more on him later) cover of Tyler Childers’ ‘Jersey Giant’ back in 2022, her rise has already been meteoric, and capped off perfectly by this collection. Whether it’s blues/southern tinged country rock, classic country or more of an Americana sound, it has a bit of everything across it’s just 30-minute runtime. Every track is as good as the last, and makes for such an incredibly easy listen. She’s already becoming a massive name in the scene, and it’s incredibly easy to hear why. If you haven’t already, give this a spin, you’ll surely love it as much as I do! It got a massive, and rightly deserved, 9.5/10 in our review, and if it wasn’t such a strong year, it would have gotten even higher on our list!

Listen to: Rollercoaster, Two Truths and a Liar, and Life’s Been Good Lately

87 – Kyle Gordon: Kyle Gordon is Wonderful

This was maybe the hardest album to place on this list. It nearly didn’t make it at all, as comedy music seems to be such a controversial topic these days. However, Kyle has crafted something truly special here, and it’s an enjoyable release with or without the fantastic comedy wit, so there was no way it wasn’t sneaking on here. I was already a fan of his, but the concept and creativity of this release really blew me away. 10 different genres from 10 different ‘artists’, detailing the most “Wonderfully Ridiculous Songs of All Time”. Whether it’s Europop, nu metal, indie or traditional country/bluegrass, Kyle is an INCREDIBLE songwriter, and does each style so well. I challenge you to check this out and try to tell me you don’t love it, I honestly think it’s impossible! It was another one I missed out on reviewing when it dropped, but I can’t give it any less than 9/10! I’ve spun it a lot in the last eight months since its release, and I don’t think I’ll be stopping any time soon!

Listen to: We Will Never Die, Crawl to Me, and My Husband’s Ghost

86 – Lorna Shore: I Feel the Everblack Festering Within Me

The other kings of modern deathcore very much do their own thing, and sound fantastic doing so! This thing is over an hour spread across just 10 songs, and is much symphonic/power metal as it is anything else. It’s epic, grandiose and wildly ambitious, and the band pull it off like only Lorna could. From the crazy heaviness of the blastbeats and breakdowns to Wills now iconic vocals, the band followed up on Pain Remains pretty perfectly! If you are into the band or genre at all and somehow haven’t checked this out already, do so as soon as you can! It won’t be for everyone, but I loved this, and the genre has very much grown on me over the last year or two thanks to bands like Lorna and Slaughter. It got a very easy 9/10 back in September, and it’s hard to argue against that after another few listens! It more than earns its spot on this list, and could have been higher if there weren’t so many excellent heavier albums alongside it!

Listen to: Prison of Flesh, In Darkness and Forevermore

85 – Dillon Carmichael: Keepin’ Country Alive

Four years after Dillon’s breakout success with Son of a, he returned in a major way with this album back in June. It’s Southern rock tinged modern country music, and a lot of fun across its 14 songs! It feels like it would have fit perfectly into the mainstream scene a decade ago, somehow combining the bro-country style of FGL with more of a Blackberry Smoke or TC3 flavour. Then again, he has plenty of Jon Pardi vibes to him too, it making sense that he supported him the other year. Yes, it’s a touch cringy and stereotypical when it comes to lyrics and theming at times, but that almost adds to the charm when it’s this good. From the powerful vocals to the catchy melodies and choruses to some awesome riffing and instrumentation throughout, it’s impossible not to fall in love with this! There really isn’t a bad track on the album, and three-quarters-of-an-hour really goes by in a flash. If you have even a passing interest in country music, this is a must to be checking out! It got a massive 9.5/10 from us, and you only have to listen to see why! It more than deserves this slot on our list!

Listen to: Raised Up Wrong, When She’s Drinkin’, and No Matter How Hard I Try

84 – Ghost Hounds: Almost Home

Perfectly combining old-school rock’n’roll, soul and country music, the fifth album from the Pennsylvanian natives has honestly been a little underrated this year. I’m not sure if it’s due to it being the first release since their change in vocalist, with Tre Nation personally scouting out SAVNT to replace him, but this is an incredible release that just hasn’t got the love I feel it should have. There are some genuinely excellent blues rock tracks, be it boot-stompin’ or more slower, emotional ballads. However, to address the elephant in the room, it’s not quite as high as I expected it to be because it does drop off a fair bit by the end. The first half of it is excellent, but the second half is maybe one too many slower tracks in a row. Still, just think how good those opening six songs are that it makes it this high on our list! And still, the latter tracks aren’t bad, I just wish the album was a little better arranged! If you are into blues or southern rock, or more of a slower country style, this is well worth checking out. It was another easy 9/10 from us, and well worth its spot here!

Listen to: She Runs Hot, Past the Point of Rescue, and You’ll Never Find Me

83 – Phear: Save Our Souls

This powerful explosion of melodic metal is somehow the third album from the Canadian band, and they have a big new fan in me this year because of it! It’s the perfect mix of heavy riffing and drumming and catchy, melodic leads and vocals. It vaguely reminds me of Fozzy back when they were good, around Sin and Bones. I was a little late to this, not checking it out until the start of summer, but it blew me away and I have since gone back to check out both their other releases. That’s how good this is, and it’s honestly their best release to date. The band are so talented, both as songwriters and players, and they have crafted something brilliant here. We don’t get enough of this sort of sound any more, though it is making a comeback in the last couple of years, and these guys are continuing it on perfectly! If you are at all into a more melodic side of metal, think Metallica meets Alter Bridge, I cannot recommend this enough. It’s another easy 9/10 from us, and I already can’t wait to hear where they go from here. Hopefully it’s not another five years, next time!

Listen to: Aftershock, Narcosynthesis, and Bleed

82 – Jonah Kagen: Sunflowers and Leather

Another entry into the ‘emotional indie-Americana’ category for this list already! This whole thing is bittersweetly beautiful from start to finish, the perfect blend of Zach Bryan and Evan Honer. And somehow and nearly an hour and 16-tracks long, it still goes by in a flash and is an incredibly easy listen! The lyrics throughout are a massive highlight, but the instrumentation fits them all so very perfectly. I’d somehow never heard of him before this release, but he’s another that’s won me over massively and has a big new fan in me because of his 2025 release! And, anyone who is into any of the sounds that I’ve mentioned previously, check this release out ASAP. There are still a couple better releases in this style, in my opinion, but it still more than deserves this spot on the list, and got an easy 9/10 back in September!

Listen to: Sunflowers and Leather, Black Lung, and The Reaper

81 – Mark Morton: Without the Pain

This was not the album I expected from the Lamb of God guitarist this year. His last solo album back in 2019 was a groove metal romp featuring some of the biggest names in hard rock and metal. Switching gears, his second solo release does the same but with country, and honestly it’s just as good! From Jaren Johnston to Matt James, Cody Jinks to Charlie Starr, there are some massif names attached to this, and all do a great job of bringing Mark’s tracks to life, vocally. It’s an incredibly fun album that is definitely heavy on the rock and southern elements, but still is distinctively country. Mark could certainly have a career in the genre if he ever chose to leave LoG, not that I ever hope he does! I’m pretty sure it appeals to both country fans and those into a more heavier sound, so just about everyone reading this should check it out! Despite talking to Matt James about it when I played with him, I still missed this release when it dropped. However, it’s one of the easiest 9/10’a I’ve ever given, and a fitting end to part one of our list!

Listen to: Hell & Back, Without the Pain, and Dust

Part 2 ->

Features, Reviews

The Best EPs of 2024!

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Nearly there with all the 2024 content, but where would we be without looking back at some of our favourite EP releases of the year? It was an awesome one of the format, and we covered so many, thinking we’d narrow it down to just 20!

Also, a quick honourable mention goes to The Castellows’ A Little Goes a Long Way. I loved this release and even gave it a stellar review, but didn’t really think seven tracks constituted an EP, and instead considered it an album. Then, it didn’t make our albums of the year cut, so I thought it only best to mention it here. Check it out if you like country!

20 – Renegade Angel: Jokesters

Starting off incredibly strong with this slab of awesome Finnish heavy metal, it’s hard to believe I’ve been rocking the title track for over eight months at this point. It channels Maiden in all the best ways, but also clearly takes inspiration of those who have come after, fitting perfectly into the 2000s NWOBHM-style revival. All three tracks are awesome and worth a listen on their own merit, and the couple of bonus tracks are fun too! We gave it a solid 8/10 in our review, and it was an easy pick for this list!

19 – Perfect Sky: Hunting Demons

This Austrian metallic hardcore band put out a blinder of an EP back at the end of May. It’s crushingly heavy for 18-minutes, and they even manage to squeeze in seven tracks in that time! From the likes of ‘Racial Abuse’ to ‘We’re Not the Same’ to ‘Crucidie’, there are plenty of both highlights and emotionally-charged topics. It’s an angry release, and it’s honestly awesome! It won’t be for everyone, but if you need something angry to listen to that makes you want to pit in your own living room, this is certainly for you! It got an 8.5/10 from us in our review, and I very much still stand by that now!

18 – Georgia Nevada: The Bright Side of the Dark

The debut EP of the rising UK country star is just as awesome now as when it dropped back in November. It has some hallmarks and sounds of the genre, but also shares a lot of DNA with the likes of southern rock, indie and even pop. It’s an easy 16-minute listen, and each of the five tracks are awesome! It’s easy to see why we gave her a whopping 9/10 in our review. If you are into any of the genres listed above, I’d definitely recommend checking this out! It’s a fun listen and she’s surly going to be a big name in the underground sooner rather than later!

17 – Unjoyful Play: Self-Titled

The debut EP from the Finnish death metal soloist Sami Lustig is pretty great. I gushed all over it plenty in my review, but it really is an interesting, unique blend of so many different styles of metal. It’s weird and quirky and heavy in all of the best ways. It’s certainly not for everyone, but there is a reason it got a 9/10 from me and why it made it onto this list. It certainly isn’t for everyone, but if you’re into some death metal, like I am, you’ll surely love this as much as I did!

16 – Persefone: Lingua Ignota: Part I

This is yet another masterclass of prog-death from the Andoran band. This is the second work I’ve checked out from them (after their 2022 album), and it’s the second one to blow me away. It’s technically brilliant; epic yet heavy in all the right places. Every track is a banger too, yet the whole thing has such an incredible flow that just begs it to be listened to in full. It’s another that got a very easy 9/10 from us, and it was a very obviously choice for this list! As I said in the review too, Part II can’t come soon enough, though we sadly have had no news yet!

15 – Night Thieves: Polarity

The third EP from the UK alt metal band is a phenomenal collection of four tracks, each one being as good as the last! From the catchy melodies to the heavy riffing and the on-point production, everything about this is awesome! I gave it a solid 8.5/10 in my review, but after listening to it plenty over the last year, I think it deserves even higher! They’re another band surly destined for massive things in the future, and have some amazing gigs already lined up for this year. Which is awesome, because I am desperate to hear all of this live!

14 – Emily Lockett – To Be Continued

So somehow, this EP still isn’t on streaming, meaning I had to bust out my CD player for a re-listen. It was just as good then as it was the first time I heard, it, though! She has been a rising star in the UK’s growing pop-country landscape for a few years now, and this EP really cements that rise in a major way. Every track is awesome, and while a little more pop than he previous efforts, it is still awesome! I gave it 8.5/10 in my review, but it easily could have been higher than that! If you are into country in any way, I can’t recommend checking this out enough!

13 – Madeline Merlo: ONE HOUSE DOWN (from the girl next door)

This is some early 2000s country at its very best, and I’ve loved it for the three months that it’s been out! It’s a little longer than most EPs, being six tracks and nearly 20-minutes. However, it goes by in a flash and every track is incredible, flowing together amazingly. It’s the perfect chilled-out country-pop release, and I’ve listened to it a lot since its release. It got an easy 9/10 from us and I very much stand by that over a quarter of a year later! It was another incredibly easy pick for this list!

12 – Valhalla Awaits: Perdition

The UK underground supergroup put out a blinder of an alt-metal release back in March. Much like a few on this list, it blends together a lot of styles, something even more impressive when it’s on such a short release. From a more thrashier Alter Bridge to all out Alice in Chains to huge, almost metalcore ballads, it’s an impressive, awesome range, and they nail it all! It’s 26-minutes of awesomeness groovy rock/metal, and I’d recommend it to anyone! It got a solid 9/10 from us, and it certainly deserving of this list!

11 – Redferrin: Old No. 7

One of the fastest rising stars in country-pop, and a lot of it is down to this EP released back in February. I loved it, then, and I think seeing it live really cemented this as an amazing release for me. It got 8.5/10 back then, but I think after so many listens it’s definitely higher now. It’s crazy too, as it isn’t typical my sort of country, but there is just something about Red that really draws me in. It’s seven awesome tracks, at least three being major hits not just now, but for years to come. If you’re into the lighter, more produced side of country music, check this out!

10 – Forelorn Hope: Valor, Pt. 1

Switching gears to some power-infused heavy metal, as a fan of heavy music it’s surely impossible to hate this release, right? This is an epic, absolutely incredible release, and a fantastic follow-up to their album half a decade before. That opening song is one of the best tracks released in 2024, and anyone who disagrees can fight me on that. However, all five tracks are amazing, and it makes for an amazing 20-minutes of traditional metal listen. It’s catchy, epic and every member of the band is insanely talented. It got a very easy 9/10 from me, and there was no way it wasn’t making it onto this list!

9 – Less Than Jake: Uncharted

Two ‘top releases of the year’ lists this year and both have a sneaky ska-punk entry on there, 2024 was a good year! Not only that but this was the first new release we got out of the legendary band in four years. The band haven’t lost even a single beat in that time, putting out a solid collection of seven tracks, a good few I’d put up there with some of their top songs overall! There really isn’t a bad track on the album, and I’ve listened to it so much since its release. It’s another that’s just an effortlessly fun, easy listen that I can’t recommend enough to fans of any genre of punk. It got a solid 9/10 from us, but honestly after a handful of listens it may deserve even more than that! It definitely deserves a spot on our list!

8 – Paradis: Self-Titled

This is 24-minutes of full frontal assault from heavy metalcore, and I love it! It’s certainly on the heavier end of the genre compared to the more melodic side, but it’s a fantastic collection of five amazing tracks! There really isn’t a bad song on the EP! And every single band member is insanely talented, from the riffing to the drumming to the harsh screams, low growls and great cleans. If you’re a fan of heavy at all, this is an absolutely must for you! It was another that got a very easy 9/10 from us, and it more than deserves its spot on this list!

7 – Van Winkle & The Spirits – Southern Song

This is a fantastic, chilled-out southern rock/country blues release; six songs that flow perfectly together and create an absolutely incredible atmosphere and mood. I may be bias as I absolutely love this sort of music, but it really is a good release in its own right, too! Plus, it has our good friend Kyle Daniel (present on our album list) so it gets even more bonus points! It was another release that got a solid 9/10 from us, but I’d honestly even put it at slightly higher after all these listens over the last four plus months. If you are into any of the genres listed above, I cannot recommend this EP enough!

6 – Drenched: Grey

This was a fantastic, really interesting EP released back in August. Combining elements of early 2000s post-nu-metal alt stuff, grunge, prog and even some metalcore riffs, it’s truly unique and special. It’s also and EP I’ve listened to a lot since it’s release, both as a whole and as separate tracks. And I think that’s where it’s magic lies; the individual tracks are incredibly strong while they also fit perfectly together as a collection. It’s 21-minutes of awesome, moody alt-rock/metal, and is absolutely phenomenal as a debut EP! There’s a reason this got top marks from us, and I can see the band having a very bright future ahead of them!

5 – Lost to Light: Conceal

Local metalcore newcomers released a banger of a debut EP back in August. Melodic, heavy and epic all at the perfect times throughout, it’s a really well-crafted work. It’s early-mid 2000s metalcore-style at its very best, and also with a modern edge in terms of writing and production. The dynamics between the duel vocals is awesome, be it cleans or brutal screams. All five tracks are awesome; from the crushing riffs to the amazing drumming, vocals and the odd brutal breakdown, it’s 20-minutes of sheer amazing metal. It’s easy to hear why it got a 9/10 from us upon release, and it may even deserve more than that now!

4 – Everette: Keys to Kentucky

Following up the Kings of the Dairy Queen Parking Lot duo was always going to be a tough task, but the duo (now soloist?) offered up an incredibly interesting six tracks back in July. They somehow evolve their sound into more a more Americana/roots style for a lot of this, while still maintaining their big, neotraditional country pop elements too. ‘Picnic Table’ is still one of my most played tracks of the year, while the rest of the release is also excellent. While not quite as instantly unforgettable as stuff from KotDQPL, the more I listen to more I’ve fallen in love, resulting in it easily making it this high on this list. It got a 9/10 from us, but it may even deserve higher than that!

3 – Ashen Reach: The Fear

The debut EP from the UK modern/alt metal band was a truly special release back in March. Since then I’ve listened to this so much, either as a whole or individual tracks! It’s heavy, melodic and epic in equal measure, and all five tracks are amazing! They feel wholly unique, especially in the scene they find themselves in, and play a very modern style! There’s a reason this got a whopping 9.5/10 from us. I can’t recommend this enough to those readers into a more melodic heavy sound, and it was very easy to put this this high on the list!

2 – Enquire Within: Elysium

The fact that this release has made it so high up on our list without being put up on Spotify is a real testament to the impact it’s had on me since I checked it out. I’ve listened to the two tracks from it that are on there pretty often, and have checked out the full thing once or twice by going back to the files I was sent over; a lot of effort to go through so it’s clearly worth it! It’s seven amazing tracks that flow so well together, stretching across metalcore, death metal and hardcore perfectly. It got top marks from us, and if you check it out it’s easy to hear why! It was a very easy choice for this high, and would have gotten the top spot if it wasn’t for a certain someone…

1 – Drake Milligan: Jukebox Songs

It had to be this one, right? If you’ve been paying attention to the site at all recently, there was no way this wasn’t getting the top spot. Somehow we didn’t review it when it was released, but it’s a very easy 10/10! It’s a collection of four of my favourite tracks released this year, in any genre, not just country music! Drake is a generational talent already, and this is more than enough to tide people over until his potentially upcoming next album. His songwriting is amazing, as is his voice, and his effortless charisma shines through on every track. It’s impossible not to love this, and I cannot recommend it enough to anyone reading this, regardless of what music you’re into! Amazing stuff, and well deserving of the top spot!

Features

The Top Albums of 2024 – Part 4!

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We’re getting closer to the top spot, let’s dive right in!

40 – MacKenzie Porter: Nobody’s Born with a Broken Heart

Starting off part four incredibly strong is the modern Canadian country icon and her second full-length album. The perfect blend of early Taylor Swift, general early 2000s radio-country and modern artists like Megan Moroney, this album slaps just as much now as it did back in April when I first reviewed it. It’s packed full of so many amazing tracks that, if the world was better, would have made her one of the biggest artists in the world. I have seven tracks off this on my personal playlist, and there’s even more than that that’s great. It’s a fantastic country album that very much has a ‘they don’t make them like this any more’ feel. The only thing stopping it from climbing even higher is, as I said in my review, the length. However, there’s really only a couple of tracks I can think of that could have maybe made the chopping block, all the rest are awesome, hence why it’s all the way up in part 4 of this list! This is a must for any country fans!

Listen to: Young at Heart, Rough Ride for a Cowboy and Have Your Beer

39 – Brave Rival: Fight or Flight

This fantastic slab of duetted blues-rock is just as awesome now as it was when I first heard it. Right from the opening track to the epic, plodding closer, it is modern hard-blues rock at its very best. Of course the vocals are a big highlight, but the instrumentation is phenomenal too. I’ve seen alot of love and raving about this album again over the last month as everyone reflects on the year, and for very good reason! There’s a very good reason why we gave it top marks, and I’d recommend it to absolutely anyone reading this with even a passing interest in rock. While the tracks below are certainly highlights, if you are into blues even slightly as much as I am, you’ll enjoy the whole album just as much as I did! It more than deserves to make this spot on our list!

Listen to: Bad Choices, Fairytale and Five Years On

38 – Eddie & The Wolves: Tasty Sin

I know, I know, my band’s album is above 62 other incredible releases. It feels cheep, I completely understand that. However, I asked multiple people, be it others at Overtone or otherwise, and this was the average sort of position the album fell at. And, given that I wasn’t hugely involved with the songwriting process for a lot of tracks, I gotta say it’s a very well written release. Edd and Char did an absolutely amazing job crafting the songs, each one feeling different and unique while still feeling like a choesive band. And the mixing from he and Ben Gaines (Audiomage) is amazing throughout. It’s had rave reviews not just from us, and has been featured plenty internationally across radio and streaming playlists. All of us, me included, are so immensely proud of this album, and it really feels like a step up from the debut. I can honestly say I enjoy listening to it, and I emplor you to go and do the same and let me know if you think it’s too high/low. Max and Charlotte gave it a combined 9.25/10 in our review, so it’s gotta make the list somewhere, right?

Listen to: Voodoo, Crawling and Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us

37 – Left to Suffer: Leap of Death

Honestly, this is shockingly maybe one of the most varied albums on this whole list, as well as being one of the heaviest. Going into it when I first reviewed it, I didn’t at all expect to have modern-pop music mixed in with deathcore, never mind that it would mix so damn well together! It’s somehow 33-minutes of beautiful snyth-pop, hip-hop AND crushingly brutal screams and riffs, and both elements are excellent. And while the list of awesome guests are amazing (most notably the INCREDIBLE track with Paleface Swiss), the band are just as much responsible for this honestly game-changing album. Every part of it shouldn’t fit together as well as it does, and it’s easy to see why I gave it a 9/10. The band aren’t going to get enough credit for this album as they deserve, but four months later I still listen to this on the regular. Heck, almost every track has made it onto my personal playlist, which should say all I need to really! It’s a must for those into the heavy but also experimental stuff, and it easily earned it’s spot on this list!

Listen to: Lost in the Dark, Will it Take my Breath and The Medicine

36 – Janet Devlin: Emotional Rodeo

I wasn’t at all familiar with this artist, hence why she didn’t appear on NMM, until I saw her posting this out to country groups, and damn I am so glad she did! This is an awesome neo-traditional country album packed full of so many amazing songs! From slower ballads to fun, more up-tempo, rockier tracks, it has a bit of everything, and it’s all performed and written so well by Janet. The X Factor alum has evolved amazingly from her pop-folk roots into a bonafide country star, and this album proves that in spades. Her vocals are fantastic throughout, and the instrumentation fits it all perfectly. And even at 45-minutes and 14-tracks, it didn’t feel at all too long, even if it is just a touch front-loaded. I just hate that I was a couple of weeks late to it, but I’m more than making up for it by listening to it a bunch since! It gets a solid 9/10 from me, and I am now desperate to hear most of it live!

Listen to: Country Singer, Back to my Senses and Emotional Rodeo

35 – Sam Millar: Virtual Summer

This is peak 80s glam rock and pop, and it’s only taken us 40+ more years to get there! Sam has tapped into something truly fantastic here, and three months down the line I am still obsessed with this release. It’s cheesy, Rock of Ages style music in all of the best ways, and Sam and Co pull it off perfectly. It’s an album absolutely packed full of highlights and not a single dud throughout. As a debut solo release it is truly hard to top this, and it’s very easy to hear why it got this high on our list. As I said in my review, everything from the sound to the subject matter to the title to the artwork fit together so very cohesively, only adding to the awesomeness. I gave it a 9.5/10 back then and I fully stand by that score now! I have to see this live, so now he’s announced a tour I’mma HAVE to go!

Listen to: The Killing Floor, Fooling Yourself and Showbiz

34 – Jerry Cantrell: I Want Blood

The Alice in Chains main-man’s last solo effort made it onto our albums of the year list a couple of years ago, and it’s only fitting that this one does, too! It’s yet another FANTASTIC heavy grunge offering, but does feel like it draws from wider inspirations more this time around. However, all his hallmarks are still there; the chunky riffs and some of the best duel vocals and harmonies in the game. It’s also 46-minutes of all killer, no filler. While I wouldn’t say it’s quite as good as his previous album, or even a potential new AIC album if we’re ever gonna get another one, but that doesn’t stop this from being a truly excellent album! It got a very easy 9/10 from us, and it easily made it onto this list and this high up. If you are a fan of the genre, band or man himself, I cannot recommend this album enough!

Listen to: Vilified, Off the Rails and Echos of Laughter

33 – Shane Smith & The Saints: Norther

The Austin Red Dirt country/Americana band put out a blinder of a fourth album back in March, and was well worth the five year wait! His signature rasp added so much to an already incredible 13-tracks, every song being amazing and arena-fillingly catchy. 52-minutes goes by in a flash, trust me, with the amount that I’ve listened to it in the last nine months! I did a full review of it back just before it released and gave it a hugely deserving 9.5/10. Everything about it just works so well and it has such an incredible flow as an album as a whole. If you are in any way into country, folk, Americana, that sort of side of music, I cannot recommend checking it out enough. In the review I posed the question ‘is it their best album yet?’. After sitting on it for all these months, as well as listening to their older stuff as well, I can categorically say: YES. It easily earned it spot on this list, and only didn’t get higher because of how insane 2024 was for music!

Listen to: Fire in the Sky, Adeline and Hummingbird

32 – Within the Ruins: Phenomena II

The return of the US metalcore band to its Phenomena sound, doing a sequel after a full decade, was a stellar idea and payed off in spades. This is an incredible album packed full of some of the very best heavy music released in 2024. I’ve listened to it a lot since its release back in August, and that doesn’t look like it will slow down any time soon! It got a very deserving 9.5/10 from us in our review, so if you want to check out me gushing over it even more, I’d certainly recommend giving it a read! The band are ridiculously talented songwriters and performers, and I’d recommend this album to absolutely any metal fan out there! It’s 50-minutes of crushing riffs, catchy melodic guitar parts and some insane screams, and I love it a lot! It’s easy to hear why they’ve made it this far up the list!

Listen to: Daywalker, Level 12 and The Last Son

31 – Dust Bolt: Sound & Fury

This German metal band have featured on my Spotify a lot in the 10 months since this album was released. It’s a fantastic blend of genres, from thrash to metalcore to melodic hard rock, and it all combines together to make an absolutely incredible record. Much like most of the rest of this list at this point, there isn’t a bad song on the album, and I’d put a fair few of them up there with the best tracks the band have done. It really feels like the band have perfected their sound with this, having catchiness and heaviness in equal measure. It’s very easy to hear why we gave it 10/10 back in February, and I very much stand by that today! I am desperate to hear any of this live, and it more than justified its place this high on our list!

Listen to: I Witness, Burning Pieces and Disco Nection

30 – These Wicked Rivers: Force of Nature

The local lads have had their biggest year yet in terms of not only studio work, but also playing some huge gigs and tours. They have become almost what their album title suggests, and it’s in definitely in a pretty big part due to the quality of this release. I’ve been a fan of the band for years at this point, but the step-up they have taken with this release is truly incredible. There are plenty amazing grunge-tinged Southern-hard-rock tracks throughout, and the band even shine brightly through the ballads. It’s a very well rounded release, and it’s easy to see why we gave it 9.5/10! They very much feel like the upcoming leaders of a second generation of NWOCR bands, and this album is a clear indicator of that. No wonder it ended up so high on our list!

Listen to: Force of Nature, Testify and The Riverboat Man

29 – Randall King: Into the Neon

Oh look, it’s another excellent neo-traditional country album on this list! There was definitely something in the water with the genre this last year, as we’ve had so many incredible country releases (with even more coming up later!). This is one of the oldest albums on this list, releasing way back in January, and I still can’t get enough all these months later! We’ve done a lot of content with Randall this year, from reviewing this album to seeing him live to even interviewing him, and all of it has given me such a huge appreciation for this album. Don’t get me wrong, it’s long for sure, but it’s packed full of some of the best country songs released this year, and the amazing more than outweighs the good. His vocals are incredible throughout and his songwriting skill has taken another huge leap forward, even though it was already amazing! There’s no wonder I gave it 9/10, and I’d say it may even deserve higher than that after all these listens later. It more than justified it’s spot on this list, and I’d recommend it to any country fan!

Listen to: When my Baby’s in Boots, What Doesn’t Kill You and Burns Like Her

28 – A Circus: Self-Titled

This classic rock super-group’s debut came out of nowhere for me this year, but utterly blew me away. It gives such fantastic Deep Purple/Dio/Rainbow vibes that I can’t help but absolutely love. Every member is amazing throughout the entire near-40-minute runtime, playing their asses off, and wrote something truly awesome. It somehow feels old-school and nostalgic, but also with a modern twist to it. It did get nearly enough love when it released back in October, but we gave it a solid 9.5/10, which I still stand by today. There isn’t a bad song on the album and it had such an incredible flow to it all; the dynamics between slower and more up-beat tracks are awesome. I cannot recommend this album enough to anyone into hard/classic rock, and it easily justifies its place on this list!

Listen to: Burn the Witch, Snow Covered Road and Rainbow Tears

27 – Dominum: Hey Living People

This is somehow the only release from December 2023 that made it onto this year’s list (it runs November to November). However, there was no chance this incredible release was missing out on this list! It’s honestly one of the best debut albums I’ve heard in years, and I become a little more obsessed every time I listen to it. Dr Dead has crafted something truly amazing with this band, which only continues with their new album just released (review here). It’s modern power metal at its very best; heavy and epic and packed full of huge, catchy melodies and choruses just begging to be ringing out over a huge festival crowd. I gave it a 9/10 this time last year when I reviewed it, but I honestly think that with multiple other listens and seeing it live, it may deserve even higher! I absolutely love this band and see a huge future ahead of them, and this album was a very easy pick to make this list!

Listen to: Immortalis Dominum, Danger Danger and We All Taste the Same

26 – Falling in Reverse: Popular Monster

This truly had potential to be a top 10 album for me, but two things went against that. The first is that we heard the lead single for it a whopping almost five years before the album was released, and we’d been drip fed another five of the remaining nine original songs over the following few years as other singles. The second is that, out of those other four tracks we didn’t hear until three album released, half of them are kinda ass. ‘Bad Guy’ is cringily terrible, while ‘NO FEAR’ is an okay rap track, but don’t live up to other hip-hop-style tracks on the album.

Having said all of that, it’s still a damn good album! It still has the tracks listed below alongside the likes of ‘ZOMBIFIED’, ‘Voices in my Head’ and ‘Prequel’. Heck, even the silly country track with Jelly Roll kinda slaps after a few listens. It’ a solid modern metal album and far better than any other full-length release Ronnie and co have ever put out. But it is held back a little in a couple of areas. We gave it a solid 9/10 in our review still, and it more than earned it’s way into this spot on the list!

Listen to: Popular Monster, Ronald and Watch the World Burn

25 – Rvshvd: It’s RASHAD

This country, rock, hip-hop blend of an album is still fucking awesome over three months after its release. As I said in my review too, but this album perfects the formula that everyone from Brantley Gilbert to Shaboozey to HARDY to even Kid Rock have tried in the past. Don’t get me wrong, it suffers the same issues as other country releases throughout this list in that it’s a touch bloated and too long, but there is so much amazing stuff on this that it easily pushes it this high up the list. It’s packed full of awesome guests, be it metal or rap, all blending together with his Georgian country roots. It’s one of the most interesting releases of the year, and I’d recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in country or rock or R&B. It’s easy to see why it got a 9.5/10 from us, and I can easily see 2025/2026 very much being Rvshvd’s years!

Listen to: For the Streets, Cottonmouth and Mapdot Madness

24 – Kyle Daniel: Kentucky Gold

An album that I’d been waiting for for a good while, and somehow it lived up to even the loftiest of expectations. It’s a powerhouse of a Southern rock record, and no wonder it’s gotten so much love globally! I’ve known Kyle for a few years now and know how excited he was to put out this album, and he should be so damn proud of it! I feel like a broken record at this point in the list for saying it, but there really isn’t a bad track throughout this record. Whether it’s the slower, ballad-like stuff or the more foot-stomping rock tracks, Kyle does it all perfectly. It’s very easy to see why we gave it a 9.5/10! It’s another I’d recommend to any country fan or any fan of rock music too in general, and it easily pushed its way this high on the list!

Listen to: Can’t Hold me Back, Me and My Old Man and Summer Down South

23 – Lenny Kravitz: Blue Electric Light

Seven months on and I’m still shocked this is quite as spectacular as it is. I went in with little-to-no expectations, even as a fan, and was blown away. However, all these months later, it still holds up as fantastic blues/pop-rock album. It’s certainly not gonna be for everyone reading this list, but I absolutely love it, and have listened to it a lot over the back half of 2024. After a six year gap between releases, 12 studio albums and at 60 years of age, there is no way this should be as good as it is, but it really feels like a rejuvenation for the guy, and is packed full of highlights! It’s another that got an easy 9.5/10 when it was released, and I fully stand by that today. There was no way this wasn’t making the list!

Listen to: TK421, Human and Love is my Religion

22 – Visions of Atlantis: Pirates II – Armada

As I said in my review of this, while we absolutely loved part I of Pirates, part II ups the ante in every way and is an absolutely phenomenal power metal album. The scale and production on it is epic, as is the writing, and everyone plays their parts to perfection. They are one of the most underrated bands in metal currently, and this release more than proves that point. Yes, at nearly an hour in length it is certainly long, but it doesn’t at all feel it, going by in a flash, and every song is more than worth a listen. It’s another album that got a very solid 9.5/10 from us and I very much feel the same on yet another listen while I write this up! I am desperate to see this stuff live, and it was another painfully easy choice to make it this high on our list!

Listen to: The Land of the Free, Monsters and Ashes to the Sea

21 – Delilah Bon: Evil, Hate Filled Female

Rounding out this part of the list is an album that I loved immediately, and it has somehow grown on me even more with subsequent listens. It’s alt-rap that very much feels like a modern day version of Slim Shady, but I say that in the best way possible and with all the compliment in the world. And, on top of her amazing talents and vocal range, her lyrics are also incredible, speaking her mind and calling out anyone against her, as well as addressing her insecurities. It’s another release on this list that certainly won’t be for everyone, but I absolutely love it and even if it isn’t your thing, surely you can at least appreciate how well crafted and awesome it is! I gave it 9/10 when I reviewed it, but I’d honestly say it’s even higher than that. If it wasn’t for it being maybe a track or two long for me, it could have gotten full marks, but it more than deserves a 9.5/10. It’s incredible, and I’d recommend anyone reading this to give it a try, you may end up loving it too!

Listen to: Hey World, Evil, Hate Filled Female and I Am the Best (Just Ask Your Momma)

<- Part 3

Part 5 ->

Features

Most Anticipated Albums of 2025!

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As we kick off what’s sure to be another fantastic year for new music, it’s that time again to sit and have a look at what could be some of the best releases of the next 12 months! There’s a couple that make a reappearance from last year, a couple more rumours, and a bunch that I’m super excited for that are out soon!

Architects: The Sky, the Earth & All Between – February 28th

We’re starting off strong with this one! After a couple of polarising albums (at least for longtime fans), everything so far points to this being a return to form, and a return to heavy, for the British metalcore band. From ‘Seeing Red’ to ‘Whiplash’ to ‘Curse’ all the singles so far have pointed to another evolution of the band’s sound, returning to the heaviness while still maintaining the polish and catchy, arena-filling choruses of their more recent work. I LOVE IT. If the rest of the album maintains the same sort of energy, it could easily be up there with Holy Hell. The band have been on the cusp of being major festival/arena headliners for the last few years now, and I seriously believe this could be the album to push them to that point! Even if it doesn’t quite live up to the huge hype behind it, the singles are enough to ensure it’s at least a great album. The end of Feb cannot come soon enough!

Kane Brown: The High Road – January 24th

We checked out Kane’s last album back in 2022 and loved it. Now, two and a half years later, one of the biggest modern names in country is back with another full-length release, and boy are we excited! The singles so far, while some are a little reserved and slower, have been good, and the list of guests throughout is again a varied, incredibly interesting host of people (and Feat. Whore Jelly Roll). Yes, it’s very pop-leaning country music, but he always sounds fantastic and makes it a fun, great listen despite that. My only slight worry is that, much like his previous release, it’s pretty damn long, so may not be quite as solid a release front to back as I’d hope. But still, with not a huge amount of country confirmed for next year so far, this is certainly one of the more highly anticipated ones!

P.S. have to say, not sure how I feel about the track with Marshmello…

Those Damn Crows: God Shaped Hole – April 11th

Take a trip back to 2022 with us for a second; TDC made it #1 on our top albums of the year list. So of course this next album was going to be on this list from the very first moment it was announced! We’re so far three singles into the release, with another seven tracks still to go. But, if it’s anything near the quality of the last release, or any of their three albums for that matter, then they’ll certainly have another winner on their hands! The band have really been going from strength to strength as of late, with huge festival appearances and even a Cardiff arena headline show this last month, and this album is surely only going to take them up from there! I’ve loved this band since they started and I honestly cannot wait for this release, it’s surely gonna be high on our list again come December!

Bullet for my Valentine – TBA

The first on this list that has been confirmed to be in the works but not much else is known about it is the eighth album by the Welsh metalcore titans. By the time it will be released, it’ll have been almost four years since their self-titled last album, the biggest gap between albums in the bands history. I’ve had a pretty turbulent relationship with the favourite band from my youth, they have certainly put out some less than great albums, but I really enjoyed their last album, and think if they build on that they could be on to a winner, and could get back on track to being a full-time arena band and in the conversation for festival headline slots again. It is true that you can never quite know what to expect from Matt Tuck and co, and knowing my luck after putting them on this list we’ll instead get another Temper Temper now. However, I choose to be optimistic, especially with them touring The Poison in full currently. If they can maintain that heavy edge while still having the massive hooks they are known for, this could be another awesome addition to their discography.

Dream Theater: Parasomnia – February 7th

Mike Portnoy is back, need I say more? While nothing had been announced this time last year when they made our list, the fans won as we not only have a new album on the way, but it’s soon and already has two singles released for it! The fact that both singles have also been excellent prog-metal releases really stands this album in good stead for being incredible, too! While I’m a fan of the band’s recent output, it feels like they haven’t had a ‘big’ album since their self-titled release, or maybe even as far back as Systematic Chaos. I definitely feel like this album could be up there with those in terms of size and popularity, especially given the hype behind its release! I’m excited, and can’t wait to check it out for our review to see if it lives up to the singles!

The War and Treaty: Plus One – February 14th

The country-soul-jazz husband and wife duo are back with a follow-up to 2022’s INCREDIBLE Lover’s Game, and I for one couldn’t be more excited. And, with the hefty amount of singles we’ve already been treated to that are awesome, this is surely set to somehow surpass even their last release! Mike and Tanya’s vocals sound just as phenomenal as ever, especially together, and if the rest of the albums are anything like the singles, they’ll certainly be on to a winner. They’ve been going from strength to strength the last couple of years or so, and this very much could be the album to launch them into the stratosphere!

Ward XVI – TBA

Third times a charm, ey? After putting them on the list the last two years now, I’ve decided I’m not going to stop until the third chapter of the trilogy is finally out! No pressure, guys! I know they’ve been in the studio tracking stuff for a good portion of this year, so I suspect at some point in 2025, we will hear something more about it and may even get a single, but fingers crossed for the whole album! The band are very much one of the leading newer lights in the NWOCR scene and are one of the most interesting and creative bands throughout the UK, so as soon as they are ready to start putting things out for album #3, it’s going to be a massive deal!

Chevelle – TBA

Another return from last year’s list, it feels like this album has been in the works for a while. I remember reviewing their last album back in 2021 and loved it, still listening to it fairly regularly now. But there was rumours of them entering the studio again for a new album this time last year, and while said rumours haven’t dissipated, they also haven’t grown any bigger. Still I remain hopeful that 2025 will finally see the follow-up to NIRATIS, and I have very little doubt it’ll be just as good as that record was! I feel like I’ve been impatiently waiting for new music from them for a while now, but have a feeling 2025 may finally be the year we get some!Hopefully with the release of a new album we can finally have the band return to play a show or two in the UK, too!

King Kraken: March of the Gods – 18th April

Another band that made it pretty high on our albums of the year list with their last release are returning with their sophomore album. The band are a bright shining light in the already-packed doom-sludge metal/hard rock scene in the UK, yet have been adopted pretty happily into the NWOCR scene, too. With their last album being so excellent, expectations are already high, but given that the single they’ve put out already is awesome, I have every hope that they can hit said lofty sights! Heck, they have a tour lined up to support the release as well with some huge names on as support, so we’ll have to make it down to one of the shows to also check it out live! While there are a lot of bands doing similar (loosely) stuff, it still feels like the music scene is crying out for a band like this, so if this next album is anything like their first, the sky is very much the limit for these guys!

Eric Church – TBA

The least likely on this list, at least for 2025, but Mr Church has been teasing new music recently so must surely have some written already, right? It’s also been a hot minute, at least in the fast-paced world of country, since we’ve had a full-length release from Chruch; 2021’s Heart and Soul. Could we finally be getting a follow-up to said double album in 2025? As a big fan of his work, I sure hope so! He’s one of the biggest names in modern country, so there will always be some hype around whenever new music is even slightly teased, but I have a sneaking suspicion that by the summer, the world will be Eric Church obsessed with him thanks to a ninth studio album!