Mostly Metal's Favorites 2025
Since this year's coming to a close, I'd like to share a selection of releases that got a lot of playing time at Mostly Metal's headquarter over the past months - for different reasons, but all brightened my days in an incredible way. Some artists impressed with their technical skills or mesmerized me with beautiful melodies, others offered a great time while rocking out to their music, and some of these albums caught me in this special way as only music can do.
How about some fun facts? ;-) Among these 25 of 2025, you can find:
- 4 EPs
- 3 instrumental releases
- 6 debut albums
- 5 of them already entered my Best of 2022, but 2 of them with a different name
- Country-wise, this year looks very balanced. 3 bands are from Canada, and we have 2 representatives from the UK, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Norway, Brazil and the US each.
Welcome to check them out, maybe you find something new for your listening pleasure you missed so far. There's always a link to Bandcamp or a Linktree, and in case I wrote a review, you'll find a hint for it too.
Dive in, have fun \m/
AEONS
6EQUJ5
Isle of Man
November 21st, 2025
With their brilliant, new opus, Aeons unleashed my release, EP and epic of the year!
CORONER
Dissonance Theory
Switzerland
October 17th, 2025
The legendary Progressive Thrash band is back after 30 years with a new masterpiece
DEFECTO
Echoes of Isolation
Denmark
October 31st, 2025
The "Echoes of Isolation" are loud, wild, and touching, with mighty vocals & furious guitar work
VITTRA
Intense Indifference
Sweden
September 19th, 2025
Swedish Thrash / Death Metal to rock your socks off, but also with some lovely, musical suprises
RO1
Sunder
Australia
November 29th, 2025
The Australian keyboard wizard Rohan Sharma returns with his most ambitious work to date
Jacob Roberge
The Passing
Canada
January 31st, 2025
Beautifully composed, soulful debut album featuring everything to warm a prog-lovin' heart
ROYAL SORROW
Innerdeeps
Finland
September 26th, 2025
Modern Progmetal flawlessly melting soft- and heaviness with highly addictive melodies
MAESTRICK
Espresso Della Vita: Lunare
Brazil
May 2nd, 2025
A marvelous Progmetal album, inviting us on a metaphorical train ride through life
JACK THE JOKER
The Devil to Pay in the Backlands
Brazil
August 22nd, 2025
Inspired by a renowned Brazilian novel, this record became a fascinating, musical journey
MENDEL
La Séance Nocturne
Netherlands
November 28th, 2025
Shredding mastery showcasing the colorful facettes of composing, playing and producing
ANCIENT FRAGMENTS
Vestige
Spain / Austria
November 14th, 2025
An expressive, modern Metal debut with djenty rhythm patterns and vigorous vocals
PRIMALUCE
Dark Mirrors
France
November 3rd, 2025
Fantastic Prog release, exploring the shifting boundary between reality and perception
AGROPELTER
The Book of Hours
Norway
July 25th, 2025
An amazing debut offering mesmerizing instrumental Prog with loads of key intruments
VOIDCHASER
Trust
Sweden / Canada
March 7th, 2025
A band that caught me live first before blowing my speakers at home
EVERON
Shells
Germany
February 28th, 2025
After 16 years, the German Prog band shared their wonderful, new record
SEVENTH STATION
On Shoulders of Giants
International
February 21st, 2025
The multi-national experimental Progmetal act takes its listeners on a crazy, yet virtuoso ride
FEATHER MOUNTAIN
A Liminal Step
Denmark
November 27th, 2025
Psychological vulnerability skillfully and touching expressed through broad, musical variety
DAUGHTER CHAOS
Noble Rot
USA
April 12th, 2025
Mind blowing, first full-length by the New York based Melodic Death Metal duo
BURIED REALM
The Dormant Darkness
USA
April 4th, 2025
Brutal yet melodious, with excellent guitar work and some illustrious guests
IHLO
Legacy
UK
August 29th, 2025
On their 2nd album, Ihlo refined their special blend of Progmetal, electronic and pop influences
AN ABSTRACT ILLUSION
The Sleeping City
Sweden
October 17th, 2025
A dark, atmospheric journey melding Prog, Death and Black Metal elements
DEREV
Troubled Mind
Canada
March 26th, 2025
With their debut full-length, Derev take a deep dive into the intricacies of the human psyche
PHANTOM SPELL
Heather & Hearth
Spain
July 18th, 2025
The wizard is back with a Hammond & guitar driven celebration of the roots of Heavy Metal
MAGIC PIE
Maestro
Norway
May 16th, 2025
A beautiful, fully matured Progrock album, melted together skill- and playfully
Phase Transition
In Search of Being
Portugal
June 6th, 2025
Finding inspiration from classical music to technical Prog, the trio shared a marvelous debut
Thanks for following my picks till the end :-)
This eoty selection comes along with my great appreciation towards those who gave these musical treasures a chance to be discovered with their posts, recos, promos, reviews, and inspiring discussions.
A special shout-out to all who followed my journey here from the beginning, and a warm welcome to those who joined us along the way, hope you enjoyed the ride so far. Your feedback and support means a lot!
And of course: horns up for the bands and artists! Thank you for the music from the bottom of my heart \m/