32) Avantasia, Here Be Dragons (Napalm)
There’s no question Tobias Sammet is a genius, passionate about his craft and constantly working on the next record. Each Avantasia album is different, filled with surprises, putting Sammet on a similar level as the mastermind Arjen Lucassen. However, the last few records have been missing something. What that “something” is, I’m not exactly sure yet. Here Be Dragons is a decent record, but it took quite a few listens before I could say, “Okay, I like this record, I think I get it now.” It still hasn’t had the immediate impact that 2016’s Ghostlights had, a record I continue to return to nine years later. It may be time to resurrect Edguy for a little while, or work on something entirely different before the next Avantasia release. Now, why is it still on this list despite the criticism? As a power metal record, it has many strengths, but it’s just that I know Sammet could deliver something stronger. Avantasia would usually rank at number one, if not at least the top five, but this time around, it clearly lands much further down.
Key Track(s): “The Moorland at Twilight,” “The Witch”
31) Der Weg Einer Freiheit, Innern (Season Of Mist)
German black metal outfit Der Weg Einer Freiheit blended black metal and blackgaze post-metal on their sixth album, Innern. A solid run that will leave you speechless, lost within the music, relating to the musical chaos with your own personal battles. Distinctively so, since the record takes on suffering, transformation, and the overall fragilities of one’s psyche, it’s melancholic, aggressive, and angry, paving the way for many brainstorms disguised as droning riffs to get you lost within the record.
Key Track(s): “Marter,” “Fragment”
30) Gràb, Kremess (Prophecy)
Starting 2025, Gràb’s new album, Kremess, was just that: a sophomore full-length record from the German black metal outfit featuring former members of Dark Fortress and Winterfylleth. Unfortunately, it was only roughly two months after the record’s arrival when vocalist Grànt announced the shows slated for 2025 would be his last due to severe health issues. The group bid farewell in October, once all shows were completed, marking their latest offering as their final release. Kremess is one strong record where the band could have garnered further acclaim. It’s one dark record with hints of sludgy, atmospheric elements embedded within.
Key Track(s): “Kerkermoasta,” ”Im Hexnhoiz (A Weihraz-Gschicht, Kapitel Oans)”
29) Månegarm, Edsvuren (Napalm)
This year brought a robust return from Swedish pagan/viking/folk metal veterans Månegarm with Edsvuren, arguably their strongest release since 2007’s Vargstenen. The record flourishes with shifting tempos and a wide range of influences, moving from blackened disarray to acoustic folk storytelling, from fun and upbeat rhythms to darker shades. The musical diversity is so rich that it’s hard to find a single dull moment.
Key Track(s): “Lögrinns värn,” “En nidings dåd”
28) Dalriada, Magvető (H-Music)
Hungarian folk metal outfit Dalriada’s new album Magvető sets the tone for the subgenre. It’s fun, catchy, energetic, and spiritual, and yet, I have no idea what the lyrics mean, since not a single word is in English. However, the powerful medleys speak for the emotions themselves. This group can do just about anything and still impress me at this point. It’s different, it’s fun, and they remain one of the most underrated bands, deserving far more recognition.
Key Track(s): “Jó remény,” “Magvető”
27) Grima, Nightside (Napalm)
While there are generally mixed opinions on atmospheric black metal, I’ve been enjoying it more in recent years, and Russia’s Grima delivered a solid example of why with their new album, Nightside. The coarse screams mixed with the guitar distortions and overall musical chaos hooked me in, and I was genuinely surprised by how strong this record turned out to be.
Key Track(s): “Skull Gatherers,” “Impending Death Premonition”
26) Lord Belial, Unholy Trinity (Hammerheart)
Lord Belial have unleashed an unrelenting and fierce record, offering no mercy while tapping into nostalgic shades of ’90s black and extreme metal, think classic Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, with their latest offering, Unholy Trinity. While channeling elements from the past and making you question what year it is, the album remains resilient from start to finish. Sometimes you just need pure speed and ruthless musical destruction blasted straight into your ears.
Key Track(s): “Serpent’s Feast,” “Antichrist”
25) …and Oceans, The Regeneration Itinerary (Season Of Mist)
There’s a lot to take in from Finland’s symphonic black metal outfit …And Oceans on their chaotic onslaught of a record, The Regeneration Itinerary. Their seventh album is layered with aggression, with each song proving unpredictable, especially when the symphonic elements surge in at any given moment.
Key Track(s): “Förnyelse i tre akter,” “Prophetical Mercury Implement”
24) Blood Red Throne, Siltskin (Soulseller Records)
Blood Red Throne have delivered one relentlessly heavy Norwegian death metal record with Siltskin. Only a year after their previous release, 2024’s Nonagon, this new album still managed to claw its way further up the list. The band remains an unstoppable force, offering a high-energy blend of brutal death metal packed with ruthless breakdowns.
Key Track(s): “Scraping Out the Cartilage,” “Necrolysis”
23) Aran Angmar, Ordo Diabolicum (Soulseller)
Five years after their formation, international black metal outfit Aran Angmar did not disappoint with their third full-length, Ordo Diabolicum. Leaving little dull or filler moments, the album runs at full speed, nonstop blistering intensity, where the atmospheric breaks feel more like suspenseful interludes in a cleverly written horror film.
Key Track(s): “Dungeons of the Damned,” “Ordo Diabolicum”
