GBHBL’s Top 25 Albums of 2025
It’s been a fantastic year for music, with great releases across the entire spectrum of rock and metal. So, as is the yearly tradition, here is our top 25 albums of 2025. Two lists, one chosen by Brendan and the other chosen by Carl. Enjoy, and if you prefer the list in video format, you can watch/listen to us talk about them below.
25 – Brendan: Blood Red Throne – Siltskin (Soulseller Records)
Siltskin, the latest Blood Red Throne album, was released on December 5th, 2025 via Soulseller Records, and it’s their heaviest yet most melodic record to date. After almost three decades, the band are still hungry, delivering dark, heavy, and always engaging death metal. Every riff, drum hit, and vocal moment hits with purpose, leaving you fully satisfied but wanting more. Not a genre-changer, but for anyone needing a blast of exceptional death metal, Siltskin proves Blood Red Throne still know how to make the style feel alive and with it coming out so recently, I can see this one lasting me well into 2026.
Read our full review here.
25 – Carl: Confessions of a Traitor – This Pain Will Serve You (Facedown Records)
Released May 16th via Facedown Records, the Londoners are a mighty band, capable of delivering brutish heaviness, but also immense melody, and almost always wrap this all up in an anthemic way. Alongside that, it’s an album with feeling, and if you’re willing, you can connect to it in unexpected ways.
Read our full review here.
24 – Brendan: False Gods – Lost In Darkness And Distance (Self Released)
Long Island’s False Gods returned with their new album, Lost In Darkness And Distance, released on July 25th, 2025. The album flows seamlessly, blending genres and showcasing a band that can’t be put in a box. Heaviness is achieved through intelligent song structures, tones, and raw emotion rather than sheer speed or extremity, and the riffs, drums, and overall tone deliver it perfectly. Lost In Darkness And Distance leaves a lasting impression, a record that lingers long after it’s over and has you coming back for more.
Read our full review here.
24 – Carl: Abigail Williams – A Void Within Existence (Agonia Records)
Released July 18th via Agonia Records. Thick with dark atmosphere, unrelentingly intense, and hellaciously harsh, Abigail Williams might not be reinventing the blackened wheel here, but once again, they define it and with that, showcase more of their own personal evolution. It’s spectacular, seven tracks of brutish brilliance that are covered in thick layers of dark atmosphere and morose melody.
Read our full review here.
23 – Brendan: Cryptopsy – An Insatiable Violence (Season of Mist)
Montreal death metal innovators Cryptopsy returned with their ninth studio album, An Insatiable Violence, released on June 20th via Season of Mist. Despite numerous lineup changes over the years, the band’s ability to deliver aggressive, thrilling metal remains undiminished. Beneath the chaos and ferocity lies clever songwriting, inventive structures, and depth that rewards repeated listens. An Insatiable Violence captures a band at the top of their game—unified, angry, and still pushing the boundaries of death metal after all these years.
Read our full review here.
23 – Carl: IAN – Come on Everybody, Let’s Do Nothing! (Human Worth)
Released via Human Worth on October 17th. Throw in a little bit of drone, a dash of post, a dollop of noise, and a heap load of experimental rock and metal heaviness, and you kind of get IAN and this album. A five-track exploration of ugly, addictive, and vibrant sounds. Damn near indescribable, except that IAN’s ability to shine a light in the murky darkness gives the listener something to grab hold of. A sense of direction, and with that in place, a different kind of exploration can take place. One that is all about creating a deeper and more meaningful connection through expressive genre-bending styles.
Read our full review here.
22 – Brendan: Svart Vinter – Isvind (Non Serviam Records)
Italian atmospheric black metal band Svart Vinter released their sophomore album, Isvind, on May 30th via Non Serviam Records. Isvind is a mammoth record—cold, bleak, and dark black metal at its core, but layered with atmosphere and emotion. The album creates a soul-stirring experience, leaving you introspective while fully appreciating the depth, intensity, and quality of the music. It’s a cold, but powerful album.
Read our full review here.
22 – Carl: Praetorian – Pylon Cult (APF Records)
Released January 31st through APF Records. Say hello to Praetorian and their obnoxious, but lovable, debut album, Pylon Cult. A maddening blend of genres and ideas that is quite disgusting, but delivers such a cacophony of brilliance, most will be well and truly enamoured with it. There’s no sugar-coating it, it’s an incredibly harsh and heavy album, drawing so much of its power from a hostile place.
Read our full review here.
21 – Brendan: Avatar – Don’t Go In The Forest (Black Waltz AB)
Theatrical, alternative metal act Avatar returned with their latest offering in Don’t Go In The Forest on the 18th of July 2025 and as is their way, it is different to pretty much everything they have released before taking elements of Dance Devil Dance but also elements of the likes of Feathers and Flesh to create the sound of where Avatar are this year, which will probably be nothing like where they are on their next cycle. Here on this new album, there are songs that are up there with the catchiest tracks they have ever written. I was about to start naming those tracks, but when I got to my sixth one, I realised I was starting to list basically the whole album. Suffice to say, its another superb record in this superb band’s catalogue.
21 – Carl: Vukovi – My God Has Got a Gun (SharpTone Records)
Released January 24th via SharpTone Records. An album that delight in different ways, ensuring everyone listening will be on the edge of their seat, excited to hear what comes next. Especially as Vukovi are so expressive. There’s no doubting that this must have been a very cathartic experience for the band, but it shouldn’t be overlooked that it’s a cathartic experience for the listener too. All because of the relatable qualities that Vukovi display.
Read our full review here.
20 – Brendan: Dragonknight – Legions (Scarlet Records)
Dragonknight released their debut album, Legions, on January 17th via Scarlet Records. They are a new band, formed by seasoned Finnish metal veterans looking to breathe fresh life into power metal. For me, they didn’t really do that exactly but they did release an album packed full of everything you want from the best power metal. Soaring melodies, thunderous rhythms, epic orchestration and crushing riffs, all wrapped in a vivid, high-fantasy concept. Legions doesn’t reinvent power metal—it simply delivers its finest form: exciting songs, expertly written and flawlessly executed.
Read our full review here.
20 – Carl: Dawn of Ouroboros – Bioluminescence (Prosthetic Records)
Released March 7th via Prosthetic Records. Dawn of Ouroboros have a reached a level where just about everyone will marvel at what they’ve accomplished here. Which is even more impressive when you take in account that it does sit on the extreme side of metal. It’s the layers though, it’s the creative twists and turns to familiar formulas, the peaks and the valleys that take us on such an explorative journey, and how everything sounds and feels so fresh. This is what makes this album so special.
Read our full review here.
19 – Brendan: Selvans – Saturnalia (Avantgarde Music)
Selvans delivered a masterclass in creativity with their latest album, Saturnalia which came out on January 31st via Avantgarde Music. It’s an album that isn’t just listened to—it’s experienced. From start to finish, Saturnalia mesmerises, delivering creativity on a scale that feels unmatched. Every detail, every passage, feels thoughtfully crafted, showing a level of vision, and maybe a little madness, that sets Selvans apart from almost anything else out there. It’s immersive, inspiring, and utterly captivating, and one of my favourite albums of the year.
Read our full review here.
19 – Carl: Breaths – Death Can Wait (Self Released)
Released on June 27th. As eclectic and electric as ever, Breaths’ bold fusion of genres has always been impressive, but as Jason Roberts grows as a person, so does the project, and what we get is even more creative and adventurous soundscapes.
Read our full review here.
18 – Brendan: Amorphis – Borderland (Reigning Phoenix Music)
Amorphis released their 15th studio album, Borderland, on September 26th via Reigning Phoenix Music, and it felt like the band entering a new moment of clarity. Yes, it’s Amorphis doing what Amorphis do—but they do it better than almost anyone. Decades of refining and reshaping their identity have brought them to a place where there are no boundaries left to push, just a sense of balance and completeness that few bands ever reach. Borderland feels cohesive and purposeful, every note and every beat exactly where it needs to be, unmistakably theirs yet fresh and flowing throughout. When a band sets the kind of standard Amorphis have in recent years, maintaining it is harder than reaching it—but with Borderland, they absolutely did.
Read our full review here.
18 – Carl: Recall the Remains – Revenant (Self Released)
Released May 1st. One of the brightest stars in British metal, Recall the Remains’ phenomenal run hits a peak with this debut album. Featuring nine belters that showcase the variety in their sound, the depth to their songwriting, and the talent within their ranks. Chances are, I’m preaching to the choir here, but this band is awesome.
Read our full review here.
17 – Brendan: Recall the Remains – Revenant (Self Released)
Recall the Remains released their debut full-length, Revenant, on May 1st, 2025, and it’s a spectacular record. One of the brightest stars in British metal, the band deliver nine tracks that showcase their range, songwriting depth, and sheer talent. It’s an album full of variety and creativity, really throwing those metalcore genre chains to the kerb. It’s packed with memorable moments bringing plenty of groove, melody and a little experimentation into the mix. The vocals are great, the energy they bring in their love shows is captured here in the recording studio as well. It’s a top-quality album from a band that never fail to impress me.
Read our full review here.
17 – Carl: lowheaven – Ritual Decay (MNRK Heavy)
Released August 29th via MNRK Heavy. The culmination of all their hard work, and the defiant statement that they are here and ready to dominate. Likely to draw in fans from all across the rock and metal spectrum, and challenge those who aren’t quite on board to relisten and rethink. It’s a very special record, and all because lowheaven’s genre-bending feels so natural.
Read our full review here.
16 – Brendan: Hjort – Evolve IV-VIII (Inertial Music)
Hjort, the solo project of V/Haze Miasma guitarist Atmosphere, released the album Evolve IV-VIII on January 24th via Inertial Music, and it’s a stunning record from start to finish. Labelled as instrumental melodic blackened doom metal, it blends melancholy, hypnotic melodies, and immersive atmospheres, and fans of V/Haze Miasma will likely feel right at home. Beautiful, dark at times, light at others, the album constantly evokes strong emotions and had me transfixed more than once as the sounds washed over me. By the end, Evolve IV-VIII left a lasting impression—a powerful, immersive release from a remarkably talented artist who manages to feature twice on this list for 2025.
Read our full review here.
16 – Carl: Grief Ritual – Collapse (Church Road Records)
Released via Church Road Records on January 31st. This will be their defining moment. They may better this album in the future, but always, this will be the moment that Grief Ritual arrived. This is Collapse. This is Grief Ritual. No matter your mood, you will be come back to this time and time again.
Read our full review here.
15 – Brendan: Buried Realm – The Dormant Darkness (Self Released)
Melodic death metal force Buried Realm released The Dormant Darkness back on April 4th, and it’s a powerful, energetic record that reminded me why this band stands out. Massive riffs, soaring leads, intense drumming, and strong vocals all come together to create a celebration of melodeath without ever feeling like a copy of their influences. You can hear touches of At The Gates, Soilwork, Scar Symmetry, and In Flames, but Buried Realm have their own edge, and this album showcases it perfectly. By the end, The Dormant Darkness had left me energized and fully invested—a strong, impressive record that’s easy to keep spinning.
Read our full review here.
15 – Carl: Barrens – Corpse Lights (Pelagic Records)
Released September 12th via Pelagic Records. Barrens delivering an emphatic and enigmatic instrumental listen that transforms a familiar post soundscape into something undeniably unique. Through the power of experimentation, they balance an array of dynamic ideas, offering up light, darkness, beauty, intensity, and so much more.
Read our full review here.
14 – Brendan: Hebephrenique – Decathexis (Gutter Prince Cabal/Brilliant Emperor Records)
Australian death metal outfit Hebephrenique released their debut album, Decathexis, on August 23rd, and it’s a seriously impressive introduction. The band’s talent, creativity, and ability shine through, with an album that rewards repeated listens as new layers and details emerge. It’s not instantly easy to listen to. It challenges you —it attacks the senses and creates real unease—but that’s exactly the point, and it succeeds brilliantly. Decathexis left a strong and permanent impression. It’s a clever, intense, and unsettling debut that I kept coming back to over this year.
Read our full review here.
14 – Carl: Benthos – From Nothing (InsideOutMusic)
Released April 11th via InsideOutMusic. Benthos deliver vibrant shifts in style and tone constantly throughout. It allows their sound to expand and retract in the mind, keeping the listener engaged and excited for what comes next. Even if, as expected, it comes with a ton of challenging aspects too.
Read our full review here.
13 – Brendan: Ward XVI – Id3ntity (Earache)
Theatrical UK rock and metal titans Ward XVI returned with their new album, Id3ntity, released on July 11th via Earache digital distribution. It has been quite the wait for this next chapter in the saga but it has been well worth it. Ward XVI returned with renewed purpose, stretching their own well stretched boundaries with an album that is more infectious, more aggressive and more theatrical than ever. Songs like Blood Is The New Black has become a daily play for me this year but such is the quality of the story and song writing that whether you listen to it end to end, or just grab a song out of a shuffle, you can’t help but be pulled into their slightly mad world of metal and invention and won’t want to leave.
Read our full review here.
13 – Carl: King Kraken – March of the Gods (Self Released)
Released April 18th. King Kraken’s promise of addictive hard rock heaviness and groove, combined with a love for sci-fi and horror, is well and truly delivered upon, again. Yet, it’s the refinement and expansion on their sound really makes this album so special.
Read our full review here.
12 – Brendan: Euphrosyne – Morus (Black Lion Records)
Greece’s Euphrosyne released their debut full-length, Morus, on March 21st, and it’s a massive slab of post black/doom metal. The album is an impressive debut, showcasing a band with abundant talent and skill, but what really stands out is how openly they lay their emotions bare. Even if that’s not why you listen to music, Morus delivers darkness, heaviness, clever ideas, exciting song structures, and a superb vocal performance. It’s an album that immediately grabs your attention, and I expect we’ll be hearing much more from Euphrosyne in the future. It’s not an album that will raise your spirits, but it is an album that will have a profound effect on your emotions and a worthy entry on to this list.
Read our full review here.
12 – Carl: Imperial Triumphant – Goldstar (Century Media Records)
Released on March 21st via Century Media Records. Imperial Triumphant are one of the most creative bands in the entire world, and every new release stands on its own as something special. This continues to be true as far as Goldstar is concerned, and for around forty-minutes I was captivated by monolithic soundscapes that showcase the rampaging chaos of extreme metal and staggeringly inventive freeform jazz.
Read our full review here.
11 – Brendan: Thy Kingdom Will Burn – The Loss and Redemption (Scarlet Records)
Finnish melodic death metal band Thy Kingdom Will Burn returned with their third full-length, The Loss and Redemption, released on January 17th via Scarlet Records, and it’s a stunning record delivering a fine example of the very best of melodic death metal balancing punchy riffs with stunning melodies. Melodeath, it may be, but Thy Kingdom Will Burn work hard to push those genre boundaries so there are modern elements, and a little genre blending, in a very ambitious, top quality album that I have played a ridiculous amount of times this year.
Read our full review here.
11 – Carl: Dreamwake – The Lost Years (UNFD)
Released August 8th via UNFD. An experience like no other, while having so many recognisable parts, Dreamwake do the impossible here. Creating something that is more akin to sensations, where listening to it with multitudes of daily distractions isn’t an option, and a word like unique isn’t hyperbolic in the slightest.
Read our full review here.
10 – Brendan: Tribunal – In Penitence and Ruin (20 Buck Spin)
Canadian misery merchants Tribunal returned with their second album, In Penitence and Ruin, and it turned out to be a seriously impressive step forward. The expanded lineup pays off in a big way. It’s a very intelligently crafted album where they use every element in their arsenal—harsh vocals, clean vocals, cello, keys, guitars, drums—in different ways across the record. Some songs lean heavily on the harsh vocals with cleans supporting, some flip that dynamic entirely. Some put the cello right at the forefront, others let the keys carry the emotion, and some blend everything together in a way that feels completely natural. It keeps the entire album varied, creative, and engaging from start to finish. It is a deeply impressive release from a band overflowing with talent.
Read our full review here.
10 – Carl: Hiroe – Wield (Pelagic Records)
Released June 20th via Pelagic Records. If you’ve ever heard the statement that ‘music has the power to move you’ and never understood it, you will now.
Read our full review here.
9 – Brendan: Rivers of Nihil – Rivers of Nihil (Metal Blade Records)
Rivers of Nihil released their self-titled fifth album on May 30th, and it feels like their most cohesive and fully realised work to date. This is a band that has been turning out strong albums for their entire career, even when not every twist or experiment landed for everyone, but their talent and songwriting ability have never been in question. Here, it feels like everything finally clicked—every idea, every style, every individual strength coming together in a way that feels unified and purposeful. The band sound locked in, focused, and completely at ease with who they are. It might just be their most accomplished album yet and has been one of my favourite albums of 2025.
Read our full review here.
9 – Carl: Pupil Slicer – Fleshwork (Prosthetic Records)
Released November via Prosthetic Records. Evolved, experimental, intense, and emotional sounding, the detail within Fleshwork is what ensures it will be long lasting, but alongside that are more accessible elements that give the band’s sharp and complex mathcore edge a freshness.
Read our full review here.
8 – Brendan: Nightfall – Children of Eve (Season of Mist)
Legendary Greek metallers Nightfall released their 11th studio album, Children of Eve, on May 2nd via Season of Mist, and it turned out to be an immense record. They delivered an album full of intensity and emotion, perfectly balancing catchiness, feeling, and brutality. I was fully immersed from the first song to the last—there’s no filler here, no weak spots, just a masterclass in heavy music that brings atmosphere, darkness, hooks, and creativity nonstop. Fantastic stuff from Nightfall, and a real highlight of the year for me.
Read our full review here.
8 – Carl: Forlorn – Aether (Church Road Records)
Released March 28th via Church Road Records. Forlorn’s unique identity has finally come to fruition, and with this debut album, they express who and what they are with mighty aplomb. Not only is it a record with depth, dramatic depth, but it’s experimental and that is what gives this album its longevity.
Read our full review here.
7 – Brendan: Der Weg Einer Freiheit – Innern (Season of Mist)
Germany’s post-black metal outfit Der Weg Einer Freiheit sixth full-length, Innern, released on September 12th via Season of Mist, is an album that feels more like an experience than a listen. Immense in quality, emotionally honest, and beautifully composed, it left me feeling cleansed, understood, and strangely better for having spent time with it. Innern isn’t just music—you have to put yourself in the right space to take it in fully, close your eyes, and let it wash over you. It made a genuine lasting impression as one of the most immersive and profound post-black metal albums I heard this year.
Read our full review here.
7 – Carl: Cwfen – Sorrows (New Heavy Sounds)
Released May 30th via New Heavy Sounds. Cwfen have nailed it and in doing so, confirmed themselves as one of the most exciting new bands within the UK scene. This is an album that will haunt your dreams for weeks and months after hearing it, yet you’ll gleefully experience it time and time again. Cwfen have arrived, and no amount of doomy gothic gloom can hide their bright brilliance.
Read our full review here.
6 – Brendan: Sarastus – Agony Eternal (Dominance of Darkness Records)
Finnish black metal band Sarastus released their long-awaited third album, Agony Eternal, on July 1st via Dominance of Darkness Records, and it quickly became one of the greatest albums I heard this year. The record strikes a perfect balance—harsh black metal at its core, but layered with atmosphere, surprising hooks, and immense creativity. The songwriting and flow are superb, making it the kind of album that rewards repeated listens. Each time, you unravel another layer making it superbly exciting to listen to as well. It’s an album that has had a ton of playtime from me this year and I’m sure will continue to into the future.
Read our full review here.
6 – Carl: Ba’al – The Fine Line Between Heaven and Here (Road to Masochist)
Released July 18th via Road to Masochist. Allow your mind to open, let Ba’al in, and experience the highs and lows of the best post-black metal music in the world. This is Ba’al at their absolute best, creating blackened post metal that embodies the style, but feels like nothing else in the genre too.
Read our full review here.
5 – Brendan: Conjurer – Unself (Nuclear Blast Records)
Conjurer released their third album, Unself, on October 24th via Nuclear Blast Records, and it is truly a wonderful work of art. They manage to demonstrate such intense honesty and emotion, sounding confident and comfortable with where they are as a band. As heavy, as it is beautiful, Conjurer deliver an album that has amazing lyricism, intense atmosphere and is a monument to song writing and creativity managing to somehow be absolutely brutal at times and bring you close to tears at others. It’s the sounds of a band that are self-aware, know their strengths and know how to execute them and it is probably their finest album, at least it is my personal favourite, to date.
Read our full review here.
5 – Carl: Beauty School – From Now On (Slam Dunk Records)
Released October 3rd via Slam Dunk Records. This is as good as it gets, as far as a modern showcase of accessible alternative rock goes. Especially alternative rock that comes with tender and heartfelt emo tones, nostalgic pop-punk energy, and driven radio rock focus. It’s not just a triumphant Beauty School release; it’s a triumphant rock release.
Read our full review here.
4 – Brendan: Cabal – Everything Rots (Nuclear Blast Records)
Cabal delivered one of their most focused and ferocious albums yet with Everything Rots, released on March 21st via Nuclear Blast Records, and it’s easily one of the heaviest, most intense records I heard all year. Brutally heavy, full of fire and passion, the album flows perfectly and keeps things fresh with a variety of guest artists adding new layers as it progresses. The way they captured emotional anguish and despair is impressive—you feel the weight in the music, but it’s cathartic rather than depressing, almost like the album helps you release it along with them. Everything Rots may be brutal, but it also leaves you feeling empowered and sticks with you long after it’s finished.
Read our full review here.
4 – Carl: We Lost the Sea – A Single Flower (Bird’s Robe/Dunk/Translation Loss/New Noise)
Released July 4th via Bird’s Robe, Dunk, Translation Loss, and New Noise. Six tracks long, but six behemoth tracks, A Single Flower is We Lost the Sea at their most textured, not only experimenting with post as a genre, but experimenting with their definition of it. While there is much here that feels post rock, it shimmers and shines in unexpected ways, especially when the contrast between dramatic, miserable melody meets energised, vibrant rock speed and intensity.
Read our full review here.
3 – Brendan: 1914 – Viribus Unitis (Napalm Records)
Ukrainian blackened death/doom veterans 1914 returned with purpose on their fourth studio album, Viribus Unitis, released on November 14th via Napalm Records, and it feels like their most complete and emotional work yet. Heavy and intense as ever, packed with crushing riffs, the album captures the human side of war—the endurance, the pain, and the small moments of hope that survive even through devastation. Each track flows as part of a larger story, told with honesty, power, and respect. It has left a lasting impression, one of those records that sticks with you long after it’s over. It’s yet another phenomenal release from this talented band.
Read our full review here.
3 – Carl: Conjurer – Unself (Nuclear Blast Records)
Released October 24th via Nuclear Blast Records. The most amazing thing about this album isn’t the more melodic progression or the fact that the technical proficiency is so damn potent. Nor is it the important lyrical content, brilliant blending of vocal styles, and daringly anthemic touches. No, the most amazing thing about this album is that with all that stuff, and so much more, Conjurer have retained their innate ability to be so savage sounding. Be under no false illusions, this is a heavy and harsh album. It just so happens to be tearful, heart-wrenching, and downright beautiful too.
Read our full review here.
2 – Brendan: V/Haze Miasma – Praise Me! Erase Me! (Inertial Music)
V/Haze Miasma returned with Praise Me! Erase Me! On the 7th of November, released via Inertial Music, and it’s more than just a follow-up—it’s a statement. Across eight expansive tracks, the band blend patience and power, fragility and fury, melody and menace with masterful confidence. The album manages to feel huge and human at the same time, never falling into predictable formulas, and it challenges as much as it comforts. By the end, I was left completely absorbed—powerful, unpredictable, and beautiful, it’s one of those records you keep coming back to and one of my favourite albums of 2025.
Read our full review here.
2 – Carl: Thumos – The Trial of Socrates (Snow Wolf Records / Fiadh Productions)
Co-released by Snow Wolf Records (CD) and Fiadh Productions (cassette) on July 4th. Impossibly grand, and not just because it’s nearly two hours long, The Trail of Socrates is a staggering achievement for a band that consistently hits the highest of highs. Not only crafting rich, detailed, and immersive instrumental music that caters to fans of post rock, doom, metal, and so much more, but doing so in an incredibly artistic way. You might think you don’t need a 16-track double album about the life, trial and death of Socrates, but trust me, you do.
Read our full review here.
1 – Brendan: Orbit Culture – Death Above Life (Century Media)
Orbit Culture released Death Above Life on the 3rd of October via Century Media, and it’s a powerful, ambitious record that shows the band confidently evolving. They embraced heavier tones, richer atmospheres, and bold songwriting without losing the aggressive edge that defines their sound. The album is consistent, dynamic, and often thrilling, with production sharp enough to let every riff and vocal hit hard. Rather than repeating the formula from Descent, they pushed forward with greater cinematic scope and deeper emotional resonance. By the end, it was clear Death Above Life isn’t just a strong release—it is my favourite album of 2025.
Read our full review here.
1 – Carl: Deafheaven – Lonely People with Power (Roadrunner Records)
It took me a few weeks after its release to listen to this new album. Partially because I had no time and tons of review commitments, and partially because I’d not loved a Deafheaven album for a while now. Then I started to hear it was good. Really good. A return to blackened form, so I listened and I’ve not stopped listening since. Topping all my ‘end of year’ streaming lists for album and songs and delivering one of my favourite live shows of the year. This is the Deafheaven I love, without it feeling regressive either. From the moment I heard it, I knew it was probably going to top this list, and just to hammer that point home, I’m listening to it right now as I type these words.
