I say some version of the same thing every year, but it really does feel like these lists get harder and harder to compile over time. Each year, there's more and more music that I haven't spent enough time with—or haven't heard at all—and it's also becoming significantly more challenging to be a grumpy, non-streaming fan of physical media (especially if you favor CDs). It's been disappointing that so many new releases are digital-only or not available on my preferred format, vinyl prices are often too expensive to justify, international shipping is a mess, whether or not USPS will actually deliver a package is too often a tossup, sometimes releases are catered to "FOMO" limited editions and sell out too quickly... "Old man yells at cloud," I know. Still. Maybe I won't do this next year.
Here are my personal favorite releases from 2025 (top three in order, the rest alphabetically). By all means, please tell me yours, 'cause I'm well aware that I remain in the dark on many contenders...
Miltown, Tales of Never Letting Go (Man Alive Records)
Simply the best. Better than all the rest. Despite having been recorded in the late-'90s, Tales of Never Letting Go is technically not a reissue since it had never been released prior, even though it's one of the single greatest albums in the history of recorded music. Post-hardcore leaning toward hefty, emotionally anthemic alternative rock. Excuselessly mandatory for fans of bands that feature Jonah Jenkins on vocals. I wrote many, many, many more words about this here, if you care. Any rock-inclusive year-end list that omits this album is wrong and has failed.
Only "glacier blue" and "pitch black" vinyl remain from Man Alive Creative or RevHQ. Hit Bandcamp for digital; or even stream via Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or anywhere else, for the love of all that is holy!
Propagandhi, At Peace (Epitaph)
I think At Peace is the only selection that I never covered on the site earlier in the year, 'cause it's just too much pressure to do Propagandhi justice. I've loved this band since 1993 and this album really caught me. "No Longer Young" is probably my favorite new song of 2025—certainly one that hit me with a significant emotional impact and drove me to listen repeatedly, both of which are increasingly rare occurrences. Unstoppable legends.
Physical copies are on CD or LP. Digital on Bandcamp. Stream (yuck) on Spotify or Apple Music, but please know that you're doin' it wrong.
Surrender the Weapon, Unforeseen Circumstances (Self-Released)
The latest EP from New Jersey's Surrender the Weapon once more presents truly unique melodic/metallic hardcore loaded with technical musicianship, and songwriting that could be described as “progressive.” Former members of For The Love Of... and Elements DEC, amongst others. It pains me how little attention this project has received. So good...
Yet to acquire enough "scene points" for a label to get behind, Unforeseen Circumstances remains digital-only. Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube will have you covered.
Amusement, Amusement (Brassneck/C.F.L./Shield/Summer Darling)
Amusement released a three-song 7" early in the year, but even better was this collection of almost everything they've recorded to date (including a bonus Dinosaur Jr. cover). Fantastic songwriting with utterly impeccable choruses is the name of the game here. High-energy, constantly melodic, but with a certain edge of rugged aggression at times. One of my favorite active bands.
Procure this collection on LP from Brassneck Records or Shield Recordings, cassette from Summer Darling Tapes, or CD from Crew for Life Records. Bandcamp has you for digital. I don't think the band's on Spotify ('cause it sucks), but you can find their work on Apple Music.
Bleeth, Marionette (Seeing Red)
Powerful, eerily melodic doom/sludge out of Miami, FL. When I first encountered their latest full-length, I was shocked to discover that Bleeth's been kickin' for like a decade now. A level of quality that would easily fit it on a label like Relapse, Southern Lord, etc. Seriously, it is wildly insane that this band isn't more widely known at this point!?
Marionette is available on silver or splatter vinyl through Bandcamp or the band's website. Streaming is the worst, but if you must, Spotify and Apple Music do unfortunately exist...
Deadguy, Near-Death Travel Services (Relapse)
Ahhh, nope, I didn't write about this one on the site before either. But sometimes the hype is well-deserved, and that is indeed the case with Near-Death Travel Services. When it comes to decades-later reunions, it's not uncommon for bands—even great, noteworthy acts like Deadguy—to find some way to fuck it up. They nailed it, though. Literally everything you'd want from a Deadguy album, and it doesn't feel like a rehash of past glories either. Superb.
Hold a real copy in your hand thanks to Relapse, or visit Bandcamp for digital. If you're a lunatic who streams, find it on Spotify or Apple Music or some shit.
Knub, Crub (Expert Work/The Ghost is Clear/Hex)
Other than the Miltown, Crub was the only 2025 release that I bought on all available variants, as Knub's a group that I feel strongly about supporting. Top-shelf noise rock that's starting to gain more attention, but I still feel like they're unique and underrated in the grand scheme of things. Dave Ort's an unsung lifer, dude. Investigate that fact, if you're not a lazy bastard.
The band recently issued Crub on disc, which you can grab alongside digital on Bandcamp. LPs are limited to just 100 on blue "crub blood" or 150 on gold and black "crub smash"—a cooperative release between three more-than-excellent sources in Expert Work Records, The Ghost is Clear Records, and Hex Records. If you insist on streaming, find it on Spotify or Apple Music, I guess.
Myth Carver, Twist of Fate (Self-Released)
Myth Carver dropped some of the absolute finest traditional heavy metal that I've heard in many years—loaded with taut, high-level riffing that kinda borders on a slight touch of '80s hard rock, but leans toward a more powerful crunch that keeps things centered around quality melodic metal. There's an epic feel to the songwriting with plenty of slick dual guitar interplay and fist-raisingly anthemic choruses powered by aptly soaring vocals. Absolutely crucial for any fan of classic and true heavy metal.
Tangibles are available straight from the band on CD or cassette (or digital, which you can also grab through Bandcamp). Dig 'em up on Spotify, Apple Music, etc. if that's your avenue of consumption.
Naysayer, Rage Dreams (Edgewood)
"Demoralized" is probably the best new hardcore song I heard all year, and this EP could be argued to be Naysayer's finest outing to date. Just pissed, no-frills metallic hardcore with bitter vocals and a grimacing crunch.
Rage Dreams still isn't on Bandcamp (so I had to grab it digitally through the ever-villainous Amazon), but you can pick up a one-sided 12" with etched B-side through RevHQ. Stream it through Spotify, Apple Music, and other such outlets.
Pop Free, Spring (New Morality Zine)
It was a tough call, but I do believe Pop Free was responsible for my favorite release of the emo-ish alt-rock niche this year. Certainly reminiscent of Fiddlehead, Spring's offerings are perhaps a bit more direct in terms of indie/alternative jangle; and though some of the melodies have the ring of mid-period Title Fight, these compositions never really skirt those pop-punk edges. Whatever threads and connections you'll find, all that really matters are those surging mid-paced tempos and catchier-than-average hooks centered around strong bursts of energy.
Spring remains digital-only, from Bandcamp or straight from the label. Those who stream, head to Spotify or Apple Music or whatever.
St. Hood, Rebirth (Full House)
Helsinki, Finland metallic hardcore greats St. Hood returned with their first album in eight years and smoked the competition with the same powerfully chugging rhythms, metal-tinged riffing, and burly vocals for which the band is so fondly remembered. A great deal of laughably overrated contemporary hardcore pales in comparison. Don't sleep on this shit.
Rebirth is a digital no-brainer as a name your price download on Bandcamp. Scoop up an LP—100 apiece on either turquoise or black—via Full House Records. If the depressing realities of international postage circa 2025 understandably force you to stream, head to Spotify or Apple Music.
Sub/Shop, Democatessen (Self-Released)
Sub/Shop is very possibly the most underrated selection herein, and easily one of the most uniquely interesting releases to cross my path this year. A peculiarly punked-up form of alternative/post-hardcore/etc. that could certainly find itself described by words like "angular" and "winding"; plus a quirky mathiness that's kind of quintessentially Richmond. Give 'em a shot, you might find yourself surprised...
Grab a Democatessen CD through Bandcamp or Handstand Records. If you insist on streaming, find it on Spotify or Apple Music or something.
