2025 was a very good year for new music to me. Even if living between two countries complicates purchases at times. As a result of not being around non stop I did hear some albums once, liked them but never bought them due to a continental shift was coming up. Examples that immediately come to mind are O.r.k., M.S.G., Tokyo Blade and Thought Chamber. Even after the missed out albums (and there were many) I had to make choices. Since I hope that my list results in one person discovering one new band or album I left out the biggest names in progmetal (Dream Theater) and progrock (Steven Wilson) even if liking their albums a lot. Further it hurts to leave out bands like Everon, Wretch, Hyena, Saor, Ophelion and the always delivering Cosmograf. Still 25 means 25 (or 26 as you shall see fast). So here is my top 25 of 2025:
25. Tiberius - Singing For Company
The party band from this year's ProgPower turned out to be very nice on album too. Accessible progmetal with great songs and top vocals.
24: Martyr - Dark Believer / August Life - Passage of Time
My two favourite Dutch metal albums of the year were released close to each other. I received them at the same time and liked them equally well. Heavy Metal with links to 80's progmetal at times too.
23. Selvans - Saturnalia
The weirdest album on my list. Italian Folk Black Heavy metal of the dramatic kind sung in Italian. An interesting ride it is and packed in the nicest artwork of 2025.
22. Pentesilea Road - Sonnets from the Drowsiness
Vito wrote another masterpiece. 100 minutes is too long for me to capture all fast, but this captivating progmetal of the lighter side works wonders. Like the debut in spite of great vocals I prefer the instrumentals even a noch better.
21.Jacob Roberge - The Passing
I am less and less into progressive rock compared to metal, but the surprise in the genre this year was Jacob Roberge. Five good varying songs followed by a 31 minute epic gave him the new Neal Morse title. Agree but than fresher and less of a repeat.
20.An Abstract Illusion - The Sleeping City
One hour of a mix of prog death black and moody metal. Too early to fully know the album for me, but definitely one to go back to and yes Woe remains their classic it seems so far.
19. Impureza - Alcázares
Hailing from France yet singing in Spanish about Spanish history. Mixing death metal with flamenco it is definitely one to take your time for. But if doing so you shall be rewarded.
18. Species - Changelings
Tech Metal or technical thrash I love it. This Polish trio at times make me think of Toxik or Watchtower even and that is a huge compliment. Hope they tour Europe next year,
17. Green Carnation - The Dark Poem part I: The Shores of Melancholia
Again maybe not heard enough times yet, but they always are among the peak atmospheric prog metallers around. This time is not different. Looking forward to parts II and III.
16. Imminent Sonic Destruction - Floodgate
One of the finest progmetal bands that formed within the past fifteen years. Floodgate is another hit for me.Their mix of progmetal with rare outbursts results in eight catchy songs you should hear at least once really.
15. Changeling - Changelings
Leaving Obscura can do work wonders just look at Obsidious. Tom Geldschläger formed Cahngeling and released this beautiful progressive death metal album. A style that was very strong this year.
14. Gypsy's Kiss - Piece by Piece
The band celebrated their 50th anniversary already and this new album is filled with feel good hard rock songs to me. After seeing them at Mearfest in 2024 songs came even more alive and the new album is as good.
13. Rivers of Nihil - Rivers of Nihil
This is definitely their easiest album for those afraid of gunts. Another high mixing the death with the progmetal and yes there is a saxophone ad live he was great too.
12. Wings of Steel - Winds of Time
The bright hope for Heavy metal in the years to come? I don't know, but this is another top class heavy metal album that brings us back to the eighties glory days. Still sorry I missed them in Breda.
11. In Mourning - The Immortal
The progressive death doom masters do it again on what might become one of their best albums ever. Their mix of the heavy and increasing clean always works well. In March they play in Utrecht.
10. In the Woods.. - Otra
The gothic progressive metal of late by In the Woods.. never came this close to Swallow the Sun. This means the best atmospheric doomy metal album of the year.
9. Philosophobia - The Constant Void
After a good debut album, their second should please anyone who was into progmetal in the nineties. This style is out of fashion with younger bands, but to me still the best way to play progmetal.
8. Katagory V - Awaken a New Age of Chaos
Back after a ten year hiatus, but I did not know their old work. This is proper US metal, so we mix heavy metal with some prog and power metal. Still needing to check out their back catalogue.
7. Tiktaalika - Gods of Pangea
The first thrash metal banger of the year was written by progmetal guitar hero Charles Griffiths. I loved this album from the start and the different vocalists all fit in well with the songs. Nice retro thrash artwork too.
6. Coroner - Dissonance Theory
I did see Coroner live opening for Watchtower in the early nineties, but never knew their albums. I got the DVD some years ago and now a new album is released after 32 years. Listening to Dissonence Theory I am absolutely blown away by their tech metal. Surprise come back of the year to many, but I have one more to come.
Now before sharing my top 5 I have to state that all five of these albums can be my album of the year depending on the day. Loved them to bits. So I start with two bands who in recent years already released an album of the year for me.
5. A-Z - A2Z2
Not the most surprising album of the year as I know what I get from this band even if only their second album. Melodic Progmetal songs of around 5 minutes with the beautiful voice of Ray Alder guiding us through some nice hooks. and yes the band is awesome too.
4. Lunar - Tempora Mutantor
Lunar what a band and why are they not yet huge? Progressive metal of the modern kind with at times grunts and great songs telling us how to watch the weather change. How do I get to see them playing live is one of the big questions in modern music for me.
3 Cea Serin - The World Outside
This is my surprise comeback of the year. Proper old school progmetal played over six songs only, still lasting 70 minutes. Normally I lose interest with 70 minute albums, not here. The songs all over ten minutes fly by and even Steve Blaze (Lillian Axe) provides a guitar solo. I wish Progpower would book more bands like this.
2. Dessiderium - Keys to the Palace
Another discovery album number five, but a new project to me. This is Alex Haddad going solo and what a surprise it was. Progressive death metal while he also holds a good clean voice. Can I mention Opeth? I can, but this is a very good album by all means form the guitarist of Atheist. Must hear material for all who like their prog and death blending into great long songs.
1. Jack the Joker - The Devil to Pay in the Backlands
No I am not Brazil biased here. These guys just released the best progmetal album of the year to me and while doing that top all other genres too. Another long album with 67 minutes that flies by. Musically the funky bass stands out, but what a joy to hear 11 great songs including two epics with enough variation to make many people happy. Bring them to Progpower Europe soonest please.
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