Dewinged's AOTY 2025 (Countdown begins...)
Hi, hi. Yet another year. I've been off the site for most of the year and even off the radar for new music, busy with life et all, but nobody ever truly leaves Sput, we all know that. I've made an effort this last month, which combined with what I've already heard on the first half of the year turned out to be a pretty decent list. I'll add 10 albums a day, until I publish the top 10 on the 31st if I don't forget! Here we go! (Let's see if I remember how to post lists here) |
| 1 |  | Avatarium
Between You, God, The Devil And The Dead
I actually reviewed this at the beginning of the year. Always liked this band, but never truly loved it. |
| 2 |  | Grails
Miracle Music
They would have ranked way higher in years past but for some reason their last couple of albums don't really grab me as they used to. Still, great band, and interesting album to say the least. |
| 3 |  | Void (USA-LA)
Forbidden Morals
Love the concept, I think this band will go places. They're like prog thrash ala Savatage meets Watchtower or Voivod? I don't know, weirdos. They also dress as the Phantom of the Opera. |
| 4 |  | Morcheeba
Escape the Chaos
Another lovely album by Skye and co. It is what it is. Nothing more, nothing less. |
| 5 |  | Mean Mistreater
Do or Die
Warning: You're gonna see a lot of hard rock and heavy metal this year. A LOT. |
| 6 |  | Post Animal
Iron
Another solid album by this band but I only heard it once otherwise it'd probably be higher. If you like Stranger Things this is John Keery's (Steve) former band. |
| 7 |  | Nuclear Daisies
First Taste of Heaven
Pretty nice 90s revival music. Never heard of this band before. |
| 8 |  | Lady Beast
The Inner Alchemist
The cover promised a bit more and it's a good album, but they've done better. |
| 9 |  | Spellling
Portrait of My Heart
The title track is one of my favorite songs this year, but this album is a bit all over the place. I'm not sure she has figured out what she wants to be. |
| 10 |  | Nightfall
Children Of Eve
A bit overlooked imo. I mean, it does sound like Behemoth worship but still... |
| 11 |  | Mansur
Pentatonic Ruins
If I talk to you about The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble or The Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation you probably know where I'm going at. This is yet one more project of Jason Kohnen, the man behind all these projects, plus the Love Sextet, Bong-ra, etc. Pretty much in the vein of all the above, ethnic downtempo featuring Hungarian vocalist Martina Hórvath, who you may have heard as frequent collaborator of Thy Catafalque. Cool album. |
| 12 |  | Midnite City
Bite the Bullet
Kings of Hair Metal? Ummm... quite a stretch considering they are 100 cans of hair spray away from being anything close to stuff like Pretty Boy Floyd. Still, solid AOR, Hard Rock album, I'm digging the revival, some bands are doing it better than others. These guys got the sound down, the hooks, even if some of them look lime my aunt after 3 bottles of wine. |
| 13 |  | Skunk Anansie
The Painful Truth
The Painful truth is indeed, that this album is not good at all. Still, I find myself going back to some songs. |
| 14 |  | Dolmen Gate
Echoes of Ancient Tales
So here's the thing. I've evolved, fam. No more witchy doom for me, I'm past that already. My new fixation is lady fronted heavy metal revival. And god, we had some really good albums this year. The genre is booming and I couldn't be happier. This band from Portugal knows how to do it, this is their second album, out on No Remorse Records. |
| 15 |  | Circuit Des Yeux
Halo on the Inside
Another solid entry in her catalogue, this one tapping even more into that gothic, gloomy vein that was latent in her previous albums. She still has one of the most impressive voices female baritone vocals I've ever heard. it's borderline otherworldly stuff. |
| 16 |  | Tribunal (CAN)
In Penitence and Ruin
Great follow up to this Canadian doom, now fully stacked band. It would probably be higher if I was more in the mood of previous years but I'm growing off the genre a little bit. Still, the progression is clear, and fans of My Dying Bride shouldn't let this one pass. |
| 17 |  | Wolvennest
Procession
That been said, more doom! I really liked "Temple" and I still rewatch their Roadburn performance of some years ago, amazing live band. This last album though, it's missing a spark, it's mastered quite low and it just feels like a weaker effort all in all. It's still good enough to be included here, I appreciate how they upped the tempo and worked out their melodies but still I feel they're a bit out of their depth on this one. |
| 18 |  | Haunt (USA-CA)
Ignite
Good ol' Haunt, they'll always get a spot on my year end lists. Nothing out of the extraordinary (pun intended), they're always a good time but a far hit for a number 1 spot. If you liked any of their previous albums you'll definitely like this one. |
| 19 |  | Dead and Dripping
Nefarious Scintillations
I'm happy to see this madman still releasing solid material and I'm glad it gained traction on this site. I didn't spend much time with it, to be honest, but a couple or three tracks was enough for me to check if he still got it, and yep, the frog king still has it. |
| 20 |  | Paradise Lost
Ascension
I'm inclined to think that after an amazing comeback run, they got stuck again. Not as good as "Obsidian" and I personally don't dig that they insist on exhume the "Icon" era stuff. Can we just proceed to re-enact the "Draconian Times" era already please? |
| 21 |  | Species
Changelings
Really fun thrash from Poland, might be a good fit for fans of Horrendous and the like. |
| 22 |  | Motorpsycho
Motorpsycho
The Motorpsycho fatigue is real. Plus they have gone back to their early 2000s sound with this one, less prog, more straight forward, which is kinda disappointing, but I guess it makes sense for them to go full circle. |
| 23 |  | Helloween
Giants & Monsters
I have the chance of seeing them live next year so I'm considering it but if they play half of this I'll kill myself on site. Not that I hate this album, it's good, I'll never get tired of listening to Kiske belting those highs, I have no idea how he still does it, but gimme Keeper or gimme nothing! |
| 24 |  | Katatonia
Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State
Another band that I love that needs to put the brakes or reconsider their writing process because this, as pretty as it is, took an unhealthy amount of plays to sink in. |
| 25 |  | Mechina
Bellum Interruptum
I've lost the plot, haven't even heard it in full yet. But it should be good, no? |
| 26 |  | Ambush (SWE)
Evil in All Dimensions
What's going on in Sweden with all these revival heavy metal popping out of nowhere, guess I should start thinking about packing my shit and move there! Here's a band that sounds a bit like Helloween and Judas Priest but somehow sounds more like them than themselves, whatever that means. |
| 27 |  | Jinjer
Duél
Probably the same as half of the entries of this list. If you like their last albums, you'll like this one. |
| 28 |  | Arch Enemy
Blood Dynasty
Who would have thought this would be the last one with Alyssa, I really thought they were doing great with her and this and the last album were probaby among my favorites from them. Oh well... |
| 29 |  | Fury (UK)
Interceptor
Just pure Hard Rock fun, honestly I found myself needing more music like this because all this black, death and doom metal was making me incredibly depressed and negative towards basically everything in my life, and that's no place to be. |
| 30 |  | Witch (ZMB)
Sogolo
Well and this is little rarity of the list i guess and the turning point of the list too. Sort of psychedelic rock from Zimbamwe with plenty of local influences as you can imagine. Think about an African version of Goat and you'll come close to the whole picture. |
| 31 |  | Wode
Uncrossing The Keys
If you're planning to mix death doom with heavy metal this is the right way to do it. What a cool album, it's gritty and sounds fucking evil, gotta dive deeper into this band. |
| 32 |  | Dart
Speed Days
Speed metal is back! Short bursts of 1 or 2 minutes tops at full throttle. |
| 33 |  | Midnight Rodeo
Chaos Era
There are plenty of 70s flavoured bluesy rock bands out there but some reason this one fell on my right side, and God knows I hate blues and boogie with all my being. |
| 34 |  | Big Thief
Double Infinity
I´m surprised I found about this being released just like a month ago, man I've really been under a rock. As everything they do, delightful and very well produced. Lenker`s output is impressive. |
| 35 |  | Rothadas
Töviskert... a kísértés örök érzete.. Lidércharang
They`re back with a vengeance. Probably one of my favorite death doom outfits along with Hooded Menace. Unsurprisingly this didn`t disappoint. |
| 36 |  | Lacuna Coil
Sleepless Empire
Honestly surprised how they still got it. |
| 37 |  | Sargeist
Flame Within Flame
The timing of this release wasn`t the best for, I was dead busy at the time and couldn`t spend much time with it but what have stayed in the dark corners of my mind after a couple of listens is... that I need to get back to it. |
| 38 |  | On Fire (CAN)
Bite The Blade
Aaaand more speed metal! Vocals are a mix of Cronos and Wendy O. Williams, great stuff. |
| 39 |  | Hayley Williams
Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party
Great album title, Hayley, youve outdone yourself. I only jammed this like... once, but I remember I really liked it so there it is. |
| 40 |  | Floating
Hesitating Lights
This was quite the revelation, thanks to Blayne from BangerTV, for keeping me up to date with albums like this one. Of course they had to be Swedish. The way they blend post punk with death metal is just superb. |
| 41 |  | Morax
The Amulet
One man heavy metal project from Norway. Totally thought this was a long running band. "A Thousand Names" goes really hard. |
| 42 |  | Gloombound
Dreaming Delusion
Like I said, I'm not too hot on funeral doom and the like this year, but this one hit the spot. Maybe because it uses melody wisely and doesn't dwell too long in aimless long passages of nothing. |
| 43 |  | Wyatt E.
Zamaru Ultu Qereb Ziqquratu Part 1
One of the first albums I heard and reviewed this year. It was a pleasant surprise. |
| 44 |  | Litania
Litania
You wanted witchy doom, well here you have it. This one comes with an extra spicy flavour. |
| 45 |  | Creatures (BRA)
Creatures II
As if Dokken was from Brazil and still hitting as hard as ever. |
| 46 |  | Haxkapell
Om Jordens Blod Och Urgravens Grepp
Swedish viking black metal, not much left to be said. |
| 47 |  | Ancient Death
Ego Dissolution
If the first riff from opening title track doesn't grab you, I don't know, you may be hopeless. Also I REALLY didn't see the clean vocals coming. |
| 48 |  | Wytch Hazel
V: Lamentations
Interesting twist for these guys, a little softening out has done them good, more in the line of bands like Hallas or Church of the Cosmic Skull. Really good album. |
| 49 |  | Lamp of Murmuur
The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy
I wish Spirit would be here with us to share his opinions on this one, I know we both loved this band and I'm sure he would have loved this. I didn't enjoy the last one cause I felt they were dipping a bit too much into Dimmu Borgir but I'm digging this one a lot. |
| 50 |  | Apocalypse Orchestra
A Plague Upon Thee
Medieval folk metal about the plague, what's not to like. No but really, I had no idea about what this was when going on and I was pleasantly surprised. They use medieval instruments and the songwriting is quite impressive and definitely not what you think. Give them a check. |
| 51 |  | The Weather Station
Humanhood
I was never fan of this project but it dropped early in the year and at some point it clicked. "Window" is one of my favourite tracks this year. |
| 52 |  | Phantom Spell
Heather & Hearth
Interesting vintage rock from Spain. Fans of Hallas don't miss this one. |
| 53 |  | Ereb Altor
Hälsingemörker
They keep delivering. When in the mood for viking metal few bands are doing it better than these guys. |
| 54 |  | Epica
Aspiral
Pretty good follow up to Omega, which I liked way better than this one. The opener is amazing but I hardly remember anything else. I do remember it being what it's supposed to be. |
| 55 |  | Sanhedrin (USA-NY)
Heat Lightning
Another band that keeps releasing great material under their own terms. Love their style. |
| 56 |  | Frayle
Heretics & Lullabies
Witchy doom fans assemble, there's a new Frayle out in the woods. |
| 57 |  | Psychonaut
World Maker
Wow, just wow. |
| 58 |  | Hilary Woods
Night CRIÚ
We're finally done with the experimenting and back to making songs. Amazing artist, amazing album. |
| 59 |  | Queen of Dreams
Subnivium
This was a surprise back in January and one of the few positive aspects of listening to too many albums that month. Lady fronted power metal with hard rock touches that honestly I like better than anything Epica or Nightwish have put out recently. |
| 60 |  | Walg
V
Another band that I think is still overlooked. Melodic Black Metal at its best. |
| 61 |  | Slow Crush
Thirst
Very surprised by this album, sounds way heavier than I anticipated and the combination with those sweet vocals is pleasant, not 100% dewicore but pretty close. |
| 62 |  | Saor
Amidst the Ruins
Guaranteed spot until they release a ska album or smth. |
| 63 |  | Ichiko Aoba
Luminescent Creatures
Can't believe that I saw her live totally by chance in a park amphitheater in Himeji and I didn't realize it was her until she started singing. |
| 64 |  | Faetooth
Labyrinthine
A lot of people pointed me to this one. I get it, it's good, sounds great, but I can think of at least 10 bands that have been doing the same years before them and nobody gave a damn. King Woman would be a good example. Still, it's my weak spot, and I'm easy to impress so there u go. |
| 65 |  | Amorphis
Borderland
I haven't read any review about this one, so I'm just convinced that they still got it, at least until I read smth saying otherwise. |
| 66 |  | Black Sword Thunder Attack
Black Sword Thunder Attack
Oh hell yeah, thanks Sarah from Smoulder for this rec, this really hits the spot. |
| 67 |  | Deafheaven
Lonely People With Power
Their best since Sunb... you know what I actually prefer this to Sunbather. |
| 68 |  | Savage Master
Dark & Dangerous
Dark and dangerous baby! |
| 69 |  | Havukruunu
Tavastland
Aaand they did it again. |
| 70 |  | Time Rift
In Flight
I have no idea where this people have come from but holy crap this is great stuff. |
| 71 |  | Jonathan Hulten
Eyes Of The Living Night
Beautiful album. I would have never imagined after his time in Tribulation that this is the kind of music he wanted to pursue but it's really an interesting and personal take on folk. Tribulation seem to be dong great too so I guess everyone won. |
| 72 |  | Lady Gaga
Mayhem
Hail to the Queen baby! Oh and yes, I loved her in the Joker 2. |
| 73 |  | Maruja
Pain to Power
Nicely done. I mildly enjoyed that daring one track thing they put out last year I think? But this is much better. |
| 74 |  | Blut Aus Nord
Ethereal Horizons
This might be one of the best things they've ever done. What an album, a shame it came out so late this year. |
| 75 |  | Christian Mistress
Children Of The Earth
Another stunning record from them. For some reason I keep coming across their albums when going record hunting and it's one of the few bands I bought the first album without knowing anything about them. Been a fan ever since. |
| 76 |  | Omnium Gatherum
May the Bridges We Burn Light the Way
My Pain was blasting one day in my usual record store and I was very impressed. Didn't know they had this album in them, it's a great tme, but that song has turned to be top 5 material this year. What a great chorus. |
| 77 |  | Century (SWE)
Sign of the Storm
I'm confused, i thought these guys were Canadian. |
| 78 |  | The Mars Volta
Lucro Sucio; Los Ojos Del Vacío
I don't remember having reviewed this but apparently I did. |
| 79 |  | FKA Twigs
Eusexua
One of the best pop albums of the year imo and it dropped quite early in January. I know she dropped a second one but I haven;t got to it yet. |
| 80 |  | Deftones
private music
They still got it, damn. |
| 81 |  | Nite
Cult Of The Serpent Sun
Simply one of the best modern metal bands out there right now. And yes, I still believe that undead Lemmy voice fits their sound like a glove. |
| 82 |  | Haru Nemuri
Ekkolaptomenos
Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I'd have something like this on my top 20 but here we are. |
| 83 |  | Wardruna
Birna
Excellent, like everything they do. |
| 84 |  | Coroner
Dissonance Theory
I still scratch my head from time to time thinking how is this even possible. |
| 85 |  | Jenny Hval
Iris Silver Mist
We're a long way from Blood Bitch and I don't think that's a bad thing at all. |
| 86 |  | Steve Von Till
Alone In A World Of Wounds
We've lost Neurosis seemingly forever, but at least we still got Steve. |
| 87 |  | Hooded Menace
Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration
The wait was totally worth it. I'm still not decided where this fits in their discography but it's up there with the Skeletor one for sure. |
| 88 |  | Ethel Cain
Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You
She didn't have enough with that incredible "EP" she dropped one week into the year, she had to go and remind everyone that now, this is personal. |
| 89 |  | Scimitar (DK)
Scimitarium I
Eyes on this one. Heavy metal with occult BM and Idon'tknowwhat influences. |
| 90 |  | Ghost (SWE)
Skeletá
Couldn't be any other way. |
| 91 |  | H.E.A.T.
Welcome To The Future
Glad that Kenny is back. Disaster is such a stupidly catchy tune. Honestly the album is a blessing for fans of hair metal, AOR and Hard Rock, it;s the kind of fun and positive vibes I needed for a pretty challenging year. |
| 92 |  | Rebecca Black
SALVATION
I guess this is an EP but whatever, this is my favourite pop album of the year. If she keeps churning out bops like the ones here count me in. |
| 93 |  | Palantyr
The Ascent & The Hunger
Very young band doing pure heavy and speed metal from France. It makes me SO happy to see young bands doing this kinda of stuff that honestly it just gives me hope for the human race. |
| 94 |  | Maud The Moth
The Distaff
You may remember that Healthy Living album that was my AOTY a couple of years back I believe? This is the singer's solo project. Great companion to that Rosalia album that I just couldn't get into and the Hausswolff one that I obviously adored. |
| 95 |  | Electric Citizen
EC4
This album has crawled its way into my top 10 and I didn't realize until I saw how many times I jammed the opener in November. It's flawed but it has something really special, not sure what it is. |
| 96 |  | Castle Rat
The Bestiary
I knew these folks would become more and more popular. The quality leap is significant on this second album and for the love of all that is holy, look at that fucking cover. |
| 97 |  | Anna von Hausswolff
Iconoclasts
I said my peace on the blog list but yeah, it wasn't my AOTY because my mood is somewhere else, but this album is just one more argument to say she's one of the best composers and performers of our time line. |
| 98 |  | Imperial Triumphant
Goldstar
Tremendous album. They are on their own league already. |
| 99 |  | Tower (USA-NY)
Let There Be Dark
One of the reasons I turned my head back to heavy metal as it is the music I grew up with. It's embarrassing considering my age but this year I felt like I was ready to just embrace my roots and what I really liked. I've always been worried about other people's opinions and my teens were shaped by those around me. This album made me meet the nine year old me that listened to Iron Maiden for the first time and it has led to a series of changes in my life that I think they have been incredibly benefitial for my mental health. So yes, let there be dark. |
| 100 |  | Messa
The Spin
But yes, my AOTY has to go to Messa. I reviewed this back when my head was not that deep into my ass. This is simply a masterpiece, and time will put it in its place. Bravo. |
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