Top 20 Albums of 2025 (not ranked, just vibes)
2025 was a whirlwind of a year; discovering music is easier than ever thanks to the internet. Yet, I definitely didn’t get around to hearing as many new albums as in years past; the craving for familiarity was strong many times of the year, and I indulged in that. Thankfully, there are plenty of 2025 releases that made it to my playlists and music collection, and I wish to reflect on them; no ranks, no ratings, just albums that struck the right chords for me.
Blackbriar, A Thousand Little Deaths
The only certainty is my number 1 pick: A Thousand Little Deaths by Blackbriar. My most anticipated album of the year wound up reigning supreme as the favorite of the year as well! Dreamy, dark, and whimsical, Blackbriar has broken the mold of what modern symphonic metal can be. They have beautiful, intricate piano- and keyboard-driven melodies and orchestration, gothic themes, and siren-like vocals that could lure any sailor to a watery death. I love the dark fairy tales theme with songs like “Bluebeard’s Chamber” & “Harpy” along with the romantic gothic themes in songs like “I Buried Us”, “A Last Sigh of Bliss”, and my personal favorite “Floriography”. Every song captivates like a lovesick trance & casts a powerful spell from beginning to end. Suggested tracks: Floriography, The Catastrophe That is Us, The Hermit and the Lover.
Key Track(s): “Bluebeard’s Chamber,” “Harpy,” “I Buried Us,” “A Last Sigh of Bliss,” “Floriography,” “The Catastrophe That Is Us,” “The Hermit and the Lover”
Weapon pt 1, Time and the Hunter (Inertial Music)
In a surprise turn on this list, an electronic release enters the ring as a favorite of the year! Time and the Hunter is a captivating dark electronic featuring guitarist and sound designer Niklas Sundin (ex-Dark Tranquillity) and vocalist Enrico Longhin. This duo paints lush, layered soundscapes of piano, synths, distorted guitar, and electronic beats and melodies that are borderline addictive. Plus, the vocals are like a warm mug of black coffee on a rainy day; so comforting and emotive. I initially heard “The Following Silence (ft Mikael Stanne)” and the solemn, dreamy quality of it snagged my attention. The album has been on constant rotation ever since! Suggested tracks: The Deep, Mycellium, Sundial.
Key Track(s): “The Following Silence,” “The Deep,” “Mycellium,” “Sundial”
Lunatic Soul, The World Under Unsun (Inside Out Music)
Few musicians bring as much comfort to me as Mariusz Duda. With the 8th and final of his Cycle of Life albums, Unsun brings it all together with easter eggs to previous albums and brings a feeling of closure to those who have followed along on this audible journey. I reviewed this album in October, expressing: “A feeling of closure flows through this album, from the analogies of looking for someone you lost in everyone you meet to finding life after feeling everything is gone. Like the moon cycle affects the sea tide, The World Under Unsun ebbs and flows in a way that, even though you’re leaving the shore, the cycle will continue long after you’re gone.” The lingering impact renews with every listen; what an extraordinary addition to an already extraordinary discography. Suggested tracks: Mind Obscured, Heart Eclipsed. Torn in Two, Confession.
Key Track(s): “Mind Obscured, Heart Eclipsed,” “Torn in Two,” “Confession”
Royal Sorrow, Innerdeeps (Century Media)
This lovely debut from the Finnish four-piece Royal Sorrow is full of catchy hooks, pretty melodies, and uplifting, cathartic spiritual themes. I heard “Let Go” and was enamored by the floaty, punchy rhythms and smooth vox. There’s plenty of heavy moments, along with playful electronic and pop sensibilities throughout; some elements of Haken, TesseracT, and VOLA blend in for a fun and addictive ride. Suggested tracks: Evergreen, Bloodflower, Release Your Shadow.
Key Track(s): “Leg Go,” “Evergreen,” “Bloodflower,” “Release Your Shadow”
An Abstract Illusion, The Sleeping City (Willowtip)
Oops, all synths! That’s my summary of this dream of an album from Swedish progressive death metal band An Abstract Illusion. I wrote a glowing review of this album a couple of months ago, expressing: “[Gorgeous synth solo]; it’s like neon rain against a stark black sky, coating the land in vibrant color. A cyber city is vibrantly rain-soaked as the melodies grow brighter by the end.” Most of the album has a drenched-in-neon, vibrant-lights-in-the-heart-of-a-dystopian-land vibe. It’s captivating and powerful and demands multiple listens for full appreciation. Suggested Tracks: Blackmurmur, Emmett.
Key Track(s): “Blackmurmur,” “Emmett”
Amorphis, Borderland (Reigning Phoenix Music)
A constant favorite band of mine, their 15th album, Borderland, is a wonderful addition to their extensive discography. I reviewed this one in September, stating: “The Borderland is, we know this connection with the earth is important, but we often ignore it due to the modern demands of society. This concept is not only told in lyrics, but is paired with the Finnish band’s most authentic effort to date musically.” The synths, catchy hooks, and iconic vox; Amorphis is truly one of the best progressive metal bands around. Suggested tracks: Bones, Tempest.
Key Track(s): “Bones,” “Tempest”
Maestrick, Espresso Della Vita: Lunare (Frontiers)
Pure fun! Describes this eclectic album from Brazilian prog metallers Maestrick. The level of storytelling in every song is so deep and told in such whimsical ways. Their way with songwriting is such a blast, with how every instrument is a piece of the story. They use guitar riffs plus acoustics and bass lines to build intense moments, keys and synths to paint the emotional aspects, along with some spectacular ‘narration’ from the vocals reminiscent of one of my favorite singers Roy Khan (who actually sings on a track with them). Every song is its own little adventure into the world they’ve weaved through sound and it is such a joy to explore with them. Suggested tracks: Lunar Vortex (ft Roy Khan), The Root, Mad Witches.
Key Track(s): “Lunar Vortex,” “The Root,” “Mad Witches”
Scardust, Souls (Frontiers)
By far the most theatrical progressive metal release of the year. With their 3rd album, Souls, Scardust truly pushes the limit on just how massive an album can be. There are strings, choirs, intricate piano melodies, and some of the most impressive vocals I’ve ever heard in my life. It’s over-the-top in every way you can imagine, with beautiful melodies that mesh Nightwish, Disney, and jazzy-laden prog into an audible marvel. This quartet truly outdid themselves with this one. Suggested tracks: Touch of Life I-In Your Eyes (ft Ross Jennings), R.I.P, Searing Echoes.
Key Track(s): “Touch of Life I-In Your Eyes,” “R.I.P.,” “Searing Echoes”
Primrose Path, Ruminations (Records DK)
Australia has the prog genre in a chokehold these days; Perth-based Primrose Path carries the claim with their captivating debut, Ruminations. It’s dark progressive metal with a veil of gothic rock, a-la 90s The Gathering mixed with Lacuna Coil. I absolutely love the chilling atmospheres paired with bits of metalcore-style blast beats and biting, beautiful alto-ranged vox. I certainly hope this album is the start of something beautiful for this band; it scratched the sad-girl gothic rock itch I desperately needed last year. (and let’s be honest, I’ll be continuing my spins of this into the future too!) Suggested tracks: Unrepent, Propensity.
Key Track(s): “Unrepent,” “Prospensity”
Omnium Gatherum, May the Bridges We Burn Light the Way (Century Media)
I also wrote a joyful review on this one last month, reflecting: “May the Bridges We Burn Light the Way is a roaring bonfire of passionate rebellion. Songs of power and envy, creation and destruction. The dynamic contrast of sorrow and empowerment, gritty vibes with clean production. Opposites always attract in wondrous ways when it comes to Omnium Gatherum.” Omnium Gatherum never misses with their ‘adult-oriented metal’ style. I know I’m always in for a good time when they release a new album, and this one was certainly no exception! Suggested tracks: The Darkest City, My Pain.
Key Track(s): “The Darkest City,” “My Pain”
