My Favorite Albums Of 2025

Daevar - Sub Rosa (Self Released) – Hands down my favorite record of the year. I can and did listen to this over and over again. This trio from Cologne, Germany have crafted a perfect blend of doom, fuzz, and grunge. Pardis Latifi’s voice is gorgeous and soars over catchy and memorable songs that stay with you long after the turn table needle has lifted. https://daevar.bandcamp.com/album/sub-rosa

Requiem Blues - Self Titled (Helium Head Records) – This power trio from Liverpool, UK sounds like they teleported from the 70’s. Masterfully capturing the essence of classic British hard rock. Great job mates…truly tasty. https://requiemblues.bandcamp.com/album/requiem-blues

Hempire - The Weight (Self Released) – I have a thing for trio’s. This band from Ashville, NC dubs themselves “high country hash thrash” and it’s a very befitting description. Equal parts metal and stoner rock. A full throttle ride down the highway. https://hempirerocks.bandcamp.com/album/the-weight

Idol Lord - The Other Side (Glory Or Death Records) – From California comes another killer trio. A lumbering, sludgy, doomy, fuzzy, biker, stoner fest. Really good stuff! https://gloryordeathrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-other-side

Benediction - Ravage Of Empires (Napalm Records) – The old school British death metal machine returns to pummel you with tons of riffage and mayhem. OOOOOH!!!! https://benedictionofficial.bandcamp.com/album/ravage-of-empires

Slung - In Ways (Self Released) – From Brighton, UK comes a really interesting and diverse album that draws inspiration from shoe-gaze, alt-rock, and stoner rock. Beautiful vocals and songs ranging from delicate to dangerous. https://slungband.bandcamp.com/album/in-ways

Zig Zags - Deadbeat At Dawn (RidingEasy Records) – Awesome trio from Los Angeles, CA bringin a banger full of the finest skate/punk/metal. A really fun album. Shred! https://zigzags.bandcamp.com/album/deadbeat-at-dawn

Kentucky Green – Mammoth (Self Released) – Fantastic stoner blues trio from Brisbane, Australia. Budgie and Black Sabbath crossed with Kyuss. https://kentuckygreen.bandcamp.com/album/mammoth

Grin - Acid Gods (Self Released) – A really unique duo from Berlin, Germany. Psych-doom with goth and synth elements. Sneering vocals and an over all production that gives the album a huge and creepy vibe. https://grincult.bandcamp.com/album/acid-gods

Sodom - The Arsonist (Steamhammer) – The legends of the big 4 of German thrash have delivered a molten slab of classic thrash metal. A really organic sounding album devoid of the samey triggered drum sounds that everybody uses…yawn. This record is raw, natural, and full of primal energy. https://sodomofficial.bandcamp.com/album/the-arsonist

Gain - High Peak, Low Life (Self Released) – A really solid stoner rock record from this 5 piece from England. Great riffs and melodies that will keep your head bobbin and foot tappin. https://gain.bandcamp.com/album/high-peak-low-life

Birddog - Self Titled (Self Released) – A most excellent drunken swagger drenched boogie/punk/psych/stoner rock from Ottawa, Canada. Would be awesome to see these guys at a basement party. https://birddog4.bandcamp.com/album/birddog

Toilet Snake - Back From The Sewers (Self Released) – I really enjoyed this 4 song EP from this trio from Milan, Italy. Snarling vocals and thunderous riffs and rhythms. Total bad-assery. https://toiletsnake.bandcamp.com/album/back-from-the-sewers

Scorpion Milk - Slime Of The Times (Peaceville) – The singer of ‘Grave Pleasures’ strikes back with another goth filled affair with more heavy leanings. Some of the songs are down right metallic. It’s bleak and dark…like your soul. https://peaceville.bandcamp.com/album/slime-of-the-times

Hog - Black Hole (RidingEasy Records) – Yet another bad-ass trio. This time from Portland, OR. Killer classic hard rock with searing, tight, and incredible musicianship. Another natural sounding record as it was recorded on analog tape. Hell yeah. https://hogpdx.bandcamp.com/album/blackhole