DDD's 2025 picks
in the making... |
| 1 |  | Agriculture
The Spiritual Sound
Blackgaze, Experimental, Indie Rock
The winner subgenre for ’25 is without a doubt blackgaze. These kids broke away from the pack, refusing to be another Deafheaven, carving a path of their own. A fresh sound, raw and hungry, often overwhelming and hopeful.
Recd Track - The Reply |
| 2 |  | Deafheaven
Lonely People With Power
Blackgaze
The band surely took its time on me. This album encapsulates everything I love about Deafheaven and climaxes the band's journey while also reconnecting with their earlier sound.
Recd Track - Revelator |
| 3 |  | Rosalia
Lux
Pop
I don’t know. She clearly set out to outdo herself, it shows and it works. A modern pop masterpiece, organic, confident and meticulously crafted.
Recd Track - Berghain |
| 4 |  | Ethel Cain
Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You
Dream Pop, Indie Folk
A wrecking piece of art. Songs that bring you to tears, wrapped in a thick atmosphere.
Recd Tracks - Nettles, Dust Bowl |
| 5 |  | Deftones
private music
Alternative Metal
They're breathing so well, either live and on record. Another fantastic piece that gives this middle-aged old fan exactly what he wants, while also drawing in a whole new generation.
Recd Tracks - milk of the madonna, cut hands |
| 6 |  | Hooded Menace
Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration
DeathDoom Metal
A spiritual successor to Ossuarium Silhouettes Unhallowed, yet setting the tone for a new Hooded Menace era, this time with a clear ’80s rock flair and worship. I’ve been a fan of the band forever, and they do no wrong.
Recd Track - Into Haunting Oblivion |
| 7 |  | Conjurer
Unself
Post Metal, Sludge
So damn heavy! So damn emotional!
Rec Track - Let Us Live |
| 8 |  | Imperial Triumphant
Goldstar
Black Metal, Avant-Garde
This album climbed its way up to become my second favorite Imperial Triumphant. Colin Marston’s mastery shines through once again, with Krallice-like bass tones, numerous Krautrock influence and prog insanity.
Recd Tracks - Gomorrah Noveaux, Hotel Sphinx |
| 9 |  | Der Weg Einer Freiheit
Innern
Progressive Metal, Black Metal
Monstrous and fantastic black metal album. Spiritual and Ominous. Hands down.
Recd Tracks - Eos, Fragment (with Finisterre iii) |
| 10 |  | Havukruunu
Tavastland
Black Metal, Folk
Everything a folk black metal album should have: chants and gutturals, blast beats and acoustic sections. Brilliant riffs, melodic leads and solos, and indecipherable song titles.
Recd Track - Kuolematon Laulunhenki |
| 11 |  | Faetooth
Labyrinthine
Doom, Sludge, Post
Where’s doom this year? Right here, lads. A girls band straight from the woods and witchcraft. Think doomgaze.
Recd Tracks - Death of Day, October |
| 12 |  | The Callous Daoboys
I Don't Want to See You in Heaven
Math Core
A fierce record from the mathcore pack, for fans of The Dillinger Escape Plan and Glassjaw. Wrapped in a post-apocalyptic concept, as if someone were to find this relic ages from now.
Rec Track - Full Moon Guidance |
| 13 |  | Rothadas
Töviskert... a kísértés örök érzete.. Lidércharang
DeathDoom
Hungarian band carrying all the heaviness of the world. Badass tunderous riffs for days.
Recd Track - Sóhajok kapuja |
| 14 |  | Rwake
The Return Of Magik
Sludge Metal
I don’t think Sputnikmusic spent enough time with this one. A really strong comeback from the band, 14 years after their last release. The dynamics and versatility on display, both instrumentally and vocally, show how it’s possible to shine within a subgenre as murky as sludge metal.
Recd Track - Return to Magic |
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