Top Metal Releases of 2025 (Thus Far)
New Releases in Metal Music: A Roundup of 2025's Hottest Albums
2025 has been a banner year for metal music, with numerous bands releasing albums that have captivated both critics and fans alike. Here's a roundup of some of the most noteworthy releases of the year.
Blood Vulture's Self-Titled Debut
Kicking off the year was Blood Vulture with their self-titled debut album, released on Pure Noise. The album showcases the band's unique sound, blending heavy riffs with catchy melodies.
Dimscûa's "Dust Eater"
In a surprise move, Dimscûa released their debut album, "Dust Eater," on June 3, 2025, with minimal build-up and zero promotion. The album, raw and anguished, has been hailed as a promising debut for the UK underground.
Architects' "The Sky, The Earth & All Between"
Architects released their latest album, "The Sky, The Earth & All Between," on Epitaph Records. The album, praised for its diverse and impactful sound, sees the band channelling their current influences into something fresh and engaging.
Watch On! Deftones' "Private Music"
Watch On! Deftones' latest album, "Private Music," was released on Reprise. The album, gorgeous, vicious, and undeniably furious, features collaborations with Poppy, Bloodywood, Spiritbox, Electric Callboy, and more.
Jinjer's "Duél"
Ukrainian metal band Jinjer released their angriest record to date, "Duél." The album, full of troubled thoughts and world-weary resignation, features an impressive attention to detail in crafting hooks amidst acrobatic instrumentals. It has been compared to Type O Negative with smatterings of Mastodon-style sludge heaped on for good measure.
Helloween's "Giants & Monsters"
Helloween's seventeenth studio album, "Giants & Monsters," was released in August 2025. The album summons all the bluster and power that made the power metal genre popular. It's a testament to the band's enduring appeal and their ability to create music that stands the test of time.
Bloodywood's "Nu Delhi"
Indian metal band Bloodywood's second album, "Nu Delhi," was released on Fearless. After the stylistic experimentation of EP The Alchemy Project, the band went back to their foundational elements in a big way. The album, an exhilarating rush, should see Bloodywood's star rise still further.
Imperial Triumphant's "Goldstar"
Imperial Triumphant's album "Goldstar," released in 2025, combines extreme metal with jazz to create something impressively dense and vicious while also opening it up just enough for new listeners.
Dream Theater's "Parasomnia"
Dream Theater released their latest album, "Parasomnia," on InsideOut Music. The album, immaculate and beyond expectation, has been praised for elevating the bar in progressive metal.
Lacuna Coil's "Sleepless Empire"
Italian metal band Lacuna Coil released their latest album, "Sleepless Empire." The album continues a trajectory of heavier compositions that started with 2016's "Delirium."
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force.
Babymetal's "Metal Forth"
Babymetal's album "Metal Forth" was released on UMG and became the first album by any Japanese band to break the US Top 10. The album, full of catchy hooks and energetic performances, has been praised for its ability to appeal to both metalheads and casual listeners.
Cradle of Filth's "The Screaming of the Valkyries"
Cradle of Filth released their latest album, "The Screaming of the Valkyries," on Napalm. The album, full of the band's signature sound, has been well-received by both critics and fans.
Employed To Serve's "Fallen Star"
Employed To Serve's fifth album, "Fallen Star," was released. The album, a labyrinth of emotional post-metal and climactic death metal, tackles very real experiences of grief, including the death of one member's infant daughter.
Halestorm's "Everest"
Lzzy Hale's band Halestorm released their latest album, "Everest," in 2025. The album, written for the biggest stages possible, features some of their most interesting songs yet.
Epica's "Edge Of The Abyss"
Epica's ninth full-length was buoyed by a typical sense of bombast and fist-pumping energy that has carried them to glory for over 20 years. The album, full of haunted merry-go-round SFX and existential philosophy, has been well-received by both critics and fans.
Confess' "Destination Addiction"
Confess released their latest album, "Destination Addiction," in 2025. The album, full of heavy riffs and catchy hooks, has been well-received by both critics and fans.
Lorna Shore's "I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me"
Lorna Shore released their latest album, "I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me," in 2025. The album, full of impressive production values and powerful performances, has reaffirmed their star status as a deathcore band.
Malevolence's "Where Only The Truth Is Spoken"
Malevolence released their latest album, "Where Only The Truth Is Spoken," in 2025. The album, full of heavy compositions and shades of sludge and groove metal, has been well-received by both critics and fans.
Bleed From Within's "Zenith"
Bleed From Within's latest album, "Zenith," was released on Nuclear Blast. The album, praised for elevating the bar in UK metalcore, has been well-received by both critics and fans.
Ghost's "Skeletá"
Ghost's seventh full-length, "Skeletá," was released on Loma Vista. The album, full of AOR sensibilities and some of the occult rock riffage of the band's early records, has been well-received by both critics and fans.
Idle Heirs' "Life Is Violence"
Idle Heirs released their latest album, "Life Is Violence," in 2025. The album, full of heavy compositions and clattering alt-metal, bridges the band's metalcore roots with the sound of a Cave In.
Calva Louise's "Edge Of The Abyss"
Calva Louise released their fourth album, "Edge Of The Abyss," on Mascot. The album, full of catchy hooks and energetic performances, has been well-received by both critics and fans.
Killswitch Engage's "This Consequence"
Killswitch Engage released their latest album, "This Consequence." The album, full of sweeping riffs, huge hooks, and massive choruses, has been well-received by both critics and fans.
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force.
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force.
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
Blackbraid's "III"
Blackbraid's third album, "III," has been making waves in black metal. The album taps into the same mixture of crushing weight and ascendant melodies that have made them such a distinctive force. (This is a typo and should be repeated twice, not three times.)
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