An enormous amount of great music was released in 2025 across all genres of Rock n Roll and Heavy Metal, which always makes it a challenge when asked, “What is your favorite album released this year?” After scouring my playlists and reminiscing about concerts attended, I present “The Metal Insider Chris Loomis Top 10 albums of 2025.”

10) Machine Head, Unatoned (Nuclear Blast)

Although Machine Head is consistent these days with solid, groove-oriented, Bay Area Heavy Metal, based on their 2018 lackluster release Catharsis, you never know what you’re gonna get. Unatoned picks up where Of Kingdom and Crown left off, it’s authentic Machine Head led by Robb Flynn’s aggressive vocal delivery and groove-laden riffs and the first Machine Head album with guitarist Reece Scruggs. The album is mostly killer with little filler, with standout banger tracks “Unbound” and “Bonescraper” as well as the Heavy Metal power ballad “Scorn.”
Key Track(s): “Unbound,” “Bonescraper,” “Scorn”

09) Killswitch Engage, This Consequence (Metal Blade Records)

East Coast Metalcore Masters Killswitch Engage released another explosive record in 2025 with This Consequence. All the Killswitch Engage records released since vocalist Jesse Leach’s return in 2013 have been off the hook heavy and aggressive, while This Consequence, has all the typical Killswitch Engage DNA, it is a little less heavy (just a little) and a bit more melodic, but it works. Tracks to check out are “Discordant Nation,” “Forever Aligned,” and “Collusion.”
Key Track(s): “Discordant Nation,” “Forever Aligned,” “Collusion”

08) Dream Theater, Parasomnia (Inside Out)

Parasomnia, the sixteenth studio album by Heavy Metal Prog Masters Dream Theater, showcased the return of drummer Mike Portnoy to the band after a 13-year absence. The album is one of Dream Theater’s top albums, as the entire band is at their finest, and you get all the remarkable instrumental mastery from each member, with songs ranging from 6 minutes to almost 20 minutes and everything in between. The music is a bit darker and a bit more guitar-driven than previous releases, but it captures the original Dream Theater formula that has made them what they are and takes you through a magical journey of technical prowess and tempo changes on each song. Be sure to check out “Night Terror,” “Dead Asleep,” and “Midnight Messiah.”
Key Track(s): “Night Terror,” “Dead Asleep,” “Midnight Messiah”

07) Wednesday 13, Mid Death Crisis (Napalm Records)

Horror Punk mastermind Wednesday 13 returned in 2025 with Mid Death Crisis, maintaining the super catchy, infectious riffs and satirical lyrics he is known for. The horror metal theme is prevalent throughout the album, with tracks such as “Decease and Desist” and “Blood Storm”, and standout tracks being “When the Devil Commands” and “No Apologies”, featuring Taime Downe from Faster Pussycat.
Key Track(s): “Decease and Desist,” “Blood Storm,” “When the Devil Commands,” “No Apologies”

06) L.A. Guns, Leopard Skin (Cleopatra Records)

Ever since Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis reunited in 2016, they have put out five albums (the fifth being Leopard Skin) and recreated the magic of the first two L.A. Guns albums. Leopard Skin is a bit more experimental than the last couple releases and not quite as heavy, but still presents that 80’s Rock meets Led Zeppelin with a sprinkle of Black Sabbath thrown in. Tracii Guns remains one of the premier guitar players, and Phil Lewis’ vocals remain top-notch. Take a listen to “Taste It,” which gives you that 80’s sexual innuendo vibe, “Lucky Motherfucker” which is a mid-temp rocker, and you can’t have an 80’s band without a power ballad, “The Masquerade.”
Key Track(s): “Taste It,” “Lucky Motherfucker,” “The Masquerade”

Chris Loomis

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