The Parking lot

2025 was an amazing year for metal, with so many releases and surprises, it is incredibly difficult to keep the list to just 10. I am keeping this list strictly to LPs, but there are a few EPs in the honorable mentions.

I’ve become a phantom
An apparition dismantled

– Yōkai (妖怪)

Top 3 songs

• Waiting
• Found No Throne
• Yōkai (妖怪)

It honestly feels like a travesty to put this album at #10. The riffs are impeccable, lifted to new heights by the drums and base lines, and a perfect blend of clean singing and harsh screams swirl into an incredibly delicious brand of metal soft serve that will have you listening to this album on repeat. If you are a fan of melodic singing, fast riffs, beautiful guitar solos, pounding drums and gnarly breakdowns, this is the perfect album for your collection.

9. Through Shadows – Born of Osiris

(When you look through the eyes of nothing)
Will you defend your existence?

– Through Shadows

Top 3 songs

• Elevate
• Inverno
• Blackwater

Born of Osiris is the textbook definition of a band that can keep their sound but evolve into something greater. This album is the pinnacle of djent, but it has so many additional influences bleeding through. From bluesy riffs and jazz breaks, to neck snapping breakdowns and filthy vocals, this album is a demonstration of the mastery that each band member has over their respective instruments. You will find something new about each song on each subsequent listen, Through Shadows is an absolute must for anyone who loves metal.

8. All Is Beautiful… Because We’re Doomed – We Came as Romans

So lost, so long
Burning flowers in my sleep
I’ve been so numb
While the world spins around me

– so lost (burning flowers)

Top 3 songs

• where did you go?
• no rest for the dreamer
• so lost (burning flowers)

We Came As Romans has absolutely hit their stride with this album and have been able to take common lyrical themes within metalcore and breathe life into them. The pacing in this album is fantastic, from massive breakdowns to beautiful ballads, this album will take you on a spiritual journey and make you absolutely addicted to the catchy choruses, forcing you to hit play just one more time to get that fix.

7. Flowers – The Devil Wears Prada

Drown ourselves in the routine
Comfort in conformity
Know your future
Give up your dreams

– Ritual

Top 3 songs

• All Out
• So Low
• When You’re Gone

I know this album has been received with mixed reviews, but I was hooked on the first listen. I adore this album front to back. Fans of older work will find joy within the breakdowns, while new fans will become enamored with each chorus. The Devil Wears Prada have always been masters with how they structure their albums, and Flowers is no exception. If you love stunning choruses, paralyzing breakdowns, and flowing verses, then stop reading this article and start jamming right now.

6. IO – Ten56.

There’s nothing that I haven’t already said
Always making it about myself
Another sad song about me and my head
Poor me, give me sympathy

– IO

Top 3 songs

• Earwig
• Snapped Neck
• IO

I hadn’t heard much of Ten56. before I listened to this album. And I am cursing myself for it every single day. This album was crafted splendidly, with such strong emotion and passion exuding from each song. The interlude song LIFEISACHORE.MOV is the perfect blend of something that is relatable and dark, but the delivery through a happy, uplifting voice is such a juxtaposition that you can’t help but laugh, while secretly crying on the inside. If you have not heard of Ten56. or you have not listened to this album, I highly recommend adding this to your workout playlist or commute playlist, it is absolutely fantastic.

5. This Used to Be Heaven – AngelMaker

This used to be our heaven
And now it lays cold in anguish

– This Used To Be Heaven

Top 3 songs

• Altare Mortis
• This Used To Be Heaven
• Malevolence Reigns

I know a lot of fans of AngelMaker were a little worried with how Ian Bearer was going to replace Mike Greenwood, but you can put those fears to rest. This Used To Be Heaven is a masterpiece. The instruments are the embodiment of perfection, and provide an exceptional foundation for some of the gnarliest vocal performances you will hear in metal. Casey and Ian are a match made in heaven and their vocals mix perfectly on this album. And the instruments are the gift that keep on giving, with technical guitar solos, blistering riffs and concussion inducing drums, this album is a masterpiece.

4. Even In Arcadia – Sleep Token

When the river runs dry and the curtain is called
How will I know if I can’t see the bottom?
Come up for air and choke on it all
No one else knows that I’ve got a problem

– Damocles

Top 3 songs

• Emergence
• Damocles
• Even In Arcadia

I have always loved the lyrical imagery and vocal flow that Sleep Token is able to achieve. Even In Arcadia is a step up from their previous albums, somehow achieving the impossible and releasing an album that is even more perfect than the last. Every chorus is an ear worm, every verse a perfect vibe. Once you listen to this album you will not be able to stop, so be warned of your new addiction, but holy hell is the ride worth it.

3. To Rid Myself of Truth – Signs of the Swarm

It feels just like I’m dying
Cursed
I can’t shake this poison
Thirst

– Scars Upon Scars

Top 3 songs

• Fear & Judgement (ft. Prison and 156/Silence)
• To Rid Myself of Truth
• Sarkazein

I don’t understand how Signs of the Swarm can get heavier with each release, but they do. From the dirtiest guitar tone in deathcore, to some of the most disgusting vocals in all of music, To Rid Myself Of Truth is not only Signs of the Swarm’s best album to date, but also the best deathcore album that has been released this year. Your body will be sore after each listen, because you will involuntarily be having an impromptu mosh pit whenever any of the songs come on. Each song is diverse, but they come together in perfect harmony. If you like your metal a little more on the extreme side, this album is an absolute must.

2. The Sky, The Earth and All Between – Architects

No more lies if I disappear
Just one less light on the chandelier

– Chandelier

Top 3 songs

• Elegy
• Broken Mirror
• Chandelier

I may be biased since Architects is my favorite band, but every second of this album is perfection. Sam’s vocals keep getting better, from his gorgeous singing to his wide range of screams, he is pushing the envelope for what defines a metalcore vocalist. Dan is a machine on the drums, with bursts of speed on songs like Blackhole followed by rhythmic beauty in songs like Chandelier, I will argue he is the absolute pinnacle within metalcore. And you cannot forget the incredible riffs that will have your head bobbing and your ass shaking, this album will be live eternally in the metalcore hall of fame.

Honorable Mentions

Jammed pack with incredible riffs and some of the best call outs of the year, if this magnificent collection of songs has not graced your ears yet, you will need to unblock your calendar and give yourself half a day to blast this EP on repeat. Currents never misses, and All That Follows shows why they are some of the best in the genre.

The only issue I have with this EP is that it isn’t longer. Every song is perfection and showcases the incredible talent from every member of Trivium. Some of Trivium’s best work, from the blistering riffs, booming drums and melodic solos, they continue to push the boundaries of music while keeping their iconic sound.

Just because this album is placed in the honorable mentions does not mean that it isn’t a masterpiece from Fit For A King. A masterful blend of haunting melodies and massive breakdowns, Lonely God is a testament to how each member of Fit For A King have perfected their craft and there is no limit to their ability.

Insane vocal performances? Check. Unrelenting heaviness? Check. The singles released only scratch the surface of this impeccable release from Shadow of Intent, and it is slowly becoming my favorite album of theirs. In a year of some heavy hitters, this album stands in a league of its own.

1. The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been – Landmvrks

And no one ever knows everything I’ve done
Every time I failed, every time I won
All over again

– The Great Unknown

Top 3 songs

• Blood Red
• The Great Unknown
• Sombre 16

The pacing? Perfect. Lyrics? Perfect. Instruments and vocal performances? Perfect. There is not a single nitpick that I have for this album, which is why it is sitting as #1. Not a single moment of wasted space or of filler, this album has a moment or two for every single music lover. Beautiful singing, beastly screams, French rapping, haunting lyrics, the list of positives for this album is endless. If you have never heard of LANDMVRKS, do yourself a favor and pick this album up, I guarantee you will fall in love with it like I did.

Did I mention any albums from your top 10? Let me know your favorites in the comments below!