Oli’s Top 10 Albums of 2025
Top 10 Albums of 2025
By Oli Gonzalez
The year 2025 is coming to an end. In all honesty, this year has been more about the festivals and live shows for me, putting a big dent into my bucket list and experiencing festivals in Belgium and Germany for the very first time. Though there’s certainly been a few new releases that have caught my eye. So, without any more hablaba jabba, here’s my top 10, not ranked in any particular order though there’s certainly 1 that stood out to me more than any!
10. Lorna Shore – “I Feel The Everblack Festering With Me”
A real surprise for me. See, I had known of the name Lorna Shore for some time but just never got around to listening to them. This album opened my eyes though and made me realise how incredible Lorna Shore are! I thought I knew heavy music, but Lorna Shore redefined what’s possible, as they can be mercilessly brutal at times. Though I particularly enjoyed the progressive and symphonic elements to the music. Especially with songs like ‘Forevermore’, which is an absolute juggernaut and rollercoaster of a journey.
https://www.facebook.com/LornaShore
9. Sunken – “Lykke”
I’m an idiot. I had chance to see this performed live in full whilst at Samhain Maastricht Festival in The Netherlands. In my defence, it had only been released 2 days prior. This got played repeatedly on my flight home and I regret not taking this opportunity. I had already been impressed with their atmospheric approach to black metal, both live and in the studio. Though they’ve advanced multiple MULTIPLE levels with this stunning effort, demonstrating an advanced mastery of effects and shaping of impressive guitar tones.
https://www.facebook.com/SunkenDenmark
8. Grima – “Nightside”
Look. I’m a simple man. I like my black metal delivered with crushing and unrelenting atmosphere. Grima deliver just that with “Nightside”, one of the stand out records for this year. What makes them stand out more? The intelligent adoption of traditional Siberian folk passages and instruments which speaks to their roots and offers something no other band has done this year. I was beyond wounded that they had to cancel their Manchester date on their tour this year but they gifted us with this which helps soften that blow.
https://www.facebook.com/grimablackmetal
7. Hangman’s Chair – “Saddiction”
After being blown away by their 2024 Damnation Festival appearance, I had to get my hands on this new record as it became available. I was drawn to their raw and melancholic approach to post metal, delivered with surging emotion and angst. Mostly driven by vocalist Cedric and his unique voice which could be mistaken for wails of intense pain and sorrow at times. The band experiment with psychedelic elements, designed to tug at your heartstrings, like they will in ‘Canvas’, the clear stand out song on this record.
https://www.facebook.com/hangmanschair
6. Deafheaven – “Lonely People With Power”
I’m not the only one to have this on my end of year top list’ and it’s no wonder. Some lesser bands try to be too many things at once, making unsuccessful attempts to blend genres. Yet somehow, Deafheaven successfully incorporate the sheer intensity and blistering pace of black metal with a raw unhinged hardcore edge whilst somehow offering an inviting melodic shoe gaze spice! Whilst many songs offer this, ‘Doberman’ stands as the crown jewel and sums this genre fluid approach up best.
https://www.facebook.com/deafheaven
5. Saor – “Amidst The Ruins”
Building on the already solid atmospheric black metal foundations, chief songwriter Andy Marshall took Saor in a different direction earlier this year with their latest release. New blood in the shape of backing vocalist Ella is central to this new sound, adding stunning ethereal vocal lines that juxtapose wonderfully with the sheer force in Andy’s lead vocals. Change isn’t always easy and can be a gamble, but Saor have proven they can successfully adapt and offer something fresh whilst staying true to their own sound.
https://www.facebook.com/saorofficial
4. Hiroe – “Wield”
I’m a simple man. When I see a Pelagic Records album come available to review, I listen to it. Hiroe and “Wieldt” uphold this esteemed labels fierce reputation in an absolute juggernaut of a post metal effort. Featuring a trio of guitars, this creates some blistering atmospheric walls of sound without coming across as overkill. If you have time for only song, make it ‘Tides’. You’ll see why.
https://www.facebook.com/hiroemusic
3. You, Infinite – Self-titled debut
Despite my love of extreme metal, my love for post rock is also unquestionable. Anything that features ex and current members of This Will Destroy You is worth it’s weight in gold, and the creative juices were still clearly flowing strong when they produced this melodic post rock gem.
https://www.facebook.com/youinfinite
2. Bell Witch And Ariel Ruin – “Stygian Bough Vol 2”
I’m often on the receiving end of jokes from the Ever Metal team due to my love for Bell Witch (Laura, Rory, I’m looking at you!). Though I’m not the only one who loves the slow and side of metal, with simple retrograde riffs delivered with pummelling weight and atomic density! “Stygian Vol 2” delivers these in bucket loads in a stunning follow up from their original 5 years prior, with production that is a serious upgrade. Bell Witch and Ariel Ruin utilise the creative tools available to them as a power trio and explore far more complex and advanced compositional structures that simply aren’t possible in their respective projects.
https://www.facebook.com/BellWitchDoom
1. Heretoir – “Solastalgia”
The pressure was on. How could they top their stunning 2023 effort “Nightsphere” ? Well they did it. This is by far their most advanced and mature release to date, pushing the boundaries of post and black metal. The whole album is predicated on human emotion, and this is delivered in bucket loads by vocalist David. Whether it’s his mournful cleans, or visceral howls of agony, you can’t ignore this output. This matched also by the soaring guitar tones, the acoustic passages in ‘Season Of Grief’, and subtle use of synths which are designed to tug violently on your heartstrings, making you feel emotions you weren’t sure you were capable of feeling. Whether it’s slower 10 minute post-metal journeys that explore complex song structures and multiple movements, or short sharp bursts like ‘Inertia’, they demonstrate great versatility in their song writing approach. I had my heart set on seeing the band at Samhain Maastricht but they sadly had to withdraw. Please please PLEASE come to the UK in 2026!!
https://www.facebook.com/heretoir
Video review:
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