Top Ten Albums of 2025 / Rob "The Metal Guy" Awards

 

   Well everyone, 2025 was a totally nutty year with plenty of moments that made me just wanted to throw my hands up the in air and scream, "Get me the hell off of this crazy planet!" From the constant talk about AI taking over to my city becoming insanely overdeveloped to where every single piece of land is being used to build overpriced condos that like look something out of a George Orwell novel, 2025 really felt like massive pile of feces floating in a toilet. Luckily music seemed to be the best medicine, as there were some extremely strong releases that came out this year. Also, the future of the Bay Area underground metal scene looks very promising with bands like Cardinal, Bezaliel and Varulf leading the way. Plus, Sentient Ruin showed up by continuing to release more uncompromising extreme metal albums this year. Although I must give Hells Headbangers major credit for the work that they did this year whether it be new releases, or re-issues of extreme metal classics like the Goreaphobia picture disc. In the end, 2025 may not have been a cake walk of a year, but then again, when is life ever completely without chaos...Alright enough rambling like a washed-up pro-wrestler from the 80's doing a shoot interview, here are my top ten albums from 2025...

10. Gawthrop - “Kuboa”

This South Korean sludge act sure unleashed a gruesome sounding album with the release of “Kuboa.” Definitely could hear influences like Noothgrush and Grief which is probably what drew me to the album right away after hearing the first preview song. Glad to see Sentient Ruin was the label working with the band for the album’s release as Gawthrop perfectly compliments the label’s diabolical and unapologetic extreme ethos. There are plenty of agonizing slow crushing riffs throughout the album painting a bleak and dystopian landscape where piles of bones lay across a desolate wasteland. 

9. Prophetic Suffering - “Rivalry of Thyself” 

The bestial death metal horde from Canada known as Prophetic Suffering unleashed a sickening decibel defiling onslaught with the release of "Rivalry of Thyself." From start to finish this album was utterly devastating and featured some savage guitar work to go along with the cataclysmic drumming. These sadistic maniacs don't experiment or try to go off the extreme metal script, which is why the album comes across as an unforgivingly raw and brutal assault without any remorse. Definitely a band to keep an eye on if you are a fan of monstrous sounding death metal. 

8. Phantom - “Tyrants Wrath” 

The maniac thrashers from Mexico are an insanely relentless force and have gained a solid international following over the years. I personally really enjoyed their debut album, “Handed to Execution,” a lot when I first heard that album. “Tyrants of Wrath,” is another solid release that features more merciless old school speed/thrash riffs, but even has more classic melodic metal touches which draws influence from the NWOBHM and early 80’s speed metal. Still, they know how to bring the intensity when it comes to heavy sounding palm muted riffs that can conjure up a mosh pit within seconds. Plus, they seem to be working extremely hard as I see them constantly sharing videos of their wicked live shows. 

7. Perdition Temple "Malign Apotheosis"

The new album from Perdition Temple was definitely a strong extreme release to come out towards the end of this year. For their fifth full-length album the band yet again demonstrated their vicious talents by hammering out some juggernaut sized death metal riffs. The album really invokes that old school sound which is great given how modern death has really become sterile sounding and seems to have lost that pestilent vibe that you heard coming out in the late 80's and early 90's. Perdition Temple knows how to come up with vile sounding tracks like "Kingdoms of the Bloodstained" and "Death Insurrection" to give the listener a chaotically deafening listening experience. 

6. Moonlight Haze - “Beyond” 

The epic power metal outfit known as Moonlight Haze once again created a truly impressive release. I tend to be extremely picky with my power metal as I have found the sub-genre to be getting a bit gimmicky with too many bands starting to become very forgettable. However, Moonlight Haze knows how to construct these triumphant sounding compositions to grab your attention. Also, the band’s singer has an amazing voice along with a tremendous vocal range. In think if you are into power metal then Moonlight Haze is a band to be checking out and I hope they come to the US for a tour. 

5. Matt Lasserre - “Jungian House Dreams” 

The mastermind behind Pale Cremation never seems to slow down and continues to create some killer releases. His new solo album that came out this year was a bit of a departure from his more doom and hard rock past, but he still found a way to captive listeners with some really impressive prog rock/post-punk influenced compositions. “Jungian House Dreams,” contains some ethereal synth arrangements, which gives the release a very dreamlike quality. Matt recorded plenty of fascinating compositions on this album that mixed all these different types of musical influences of his to make a very creative release. Having known Matt since his days playing bass in the band Scrape the Earth, I've really come to respect how much work he has put in over the years recording new music and furthering to explore his various musical interests. 

4. Uranium - “Corrosion of Existence”

Probably one of the most insane and down right mind altering extreme albums to come out this year. The one-man blackened industrial act behind Uranium has been conjuring up some real radioactively decimating releases in recent years with this one being surrealistically brutal from start to finish. Uranium combines all the abhorrent musical elements together to offer listener's a glimpse into an apocalyptic nightmare where humanity has become devastated by nuclear destruction. Sentient Ruin also did a great job with the album's release by offering a cool vinyl variant as well as printing some badass shirts/hoodies/long sleeve shirts (Still some available on Sentient Ruin's website). 

3. Demonsmoke - “Resin Wrought” 

Demonsmoke’s second full-length album and the follow-up to their monumental 2017 debut album “Morphine Moonshine,”is without question one of the heaviest albums that came out this year. The band increases the vile sludge and doom dose to an even more diabolically sinister level with “Resin Wrought.” The riffs on this album are vicious while the vocals add a venomous touch of pure unapologetic disgust. Definitely draws influence from Southern sludge metal, but has such a profoundly dark doom vibe that hooks you from the first suffocatingly distorted riff. Also, shoutout to the artist who did the album cover as it perfectly compliments the band's primordial demonically doom like sound. 

2. Lathe of Heaven - “Aurora” 

Lathe of Heaven's sophomore full-length album "Aurora" had to be one of the album's I was most looking forward to in 2025. The band's debut album "Bound by Naked Skies" is one of my favorite albums to be released within the last few and I still listen to it quite frequently. "Aurora," is a tremendous follow-up that shows the band's growth as songwriters, as well as their ability to compose these haunting and fierce post-punk atmospheres. The lyrical content is inspired by science fiction along with other topics that are extremely relatable to the current state of our world. I personally think Gage Allison is one of the best singers currently in the world of rock/punk/metal music, and he always seems to delivers the lyrics with such profound conviction to where you remember every word. "Just Beyond the Reach of Light," is a powerful song that I would consider to be the best song off of the album. 

1. The Chameleons - “Arctic Moon” 

I can already hear the elitist extreme metal fans reading this number one pick and saying, "You're number one pick is yet again a non-metal band?!" Well in the end, I am unapologetic about what I enjoy and in my opinion the best album to come out in 2025 was The Chameleons "Arctic Moon." For those not familiar with The Chameleons, they are a tremendously talented post-punk/new wave act from the 80's that I strongly believe deserves more credit for their work. The band's first three albums are utterly phenomenal and even though they did not sell millions of records, I believe they have established a profoundly loyal cult following that deeply treasures the band's recordings. "Arctic Moon" is a bit of a comeback album since they had not put out a new album since 2001. Even after all those years of not making new material, the band did not seem to miss a beat as the new song's a truly astonishing. Reg Smithies is a brilliant guitarist who constructs these mesmerizing landscapes featuring some very tranquil sounding guitar compositions. The song on the album that steals the show is "David Bowie Takes my Hand," which contains some powerful lyrical moments along with these very inspiring dynamic arrangements. Even if you are not a fan of this style of music, I really do recommend checking this album out given how well music was recorded and how meaningful the lyrics come across. 

The Rob “The Metal Guy” Awards

EP of the Year: Samiarus “Reign Destroyer” 

Best Live Performance of the Year: The Chameleons in Roseville, CA

Most Brutal Album Cover of the Year: Demonsmoke “Resin Wrought”

Label of the Year: Hells Headbangers (The Goreaphobia picture disc turned out great! So glad I ordered it!). 

Up and Coming Artist of the Year: Cardinal (A black metal band that is extremely talented and hopefully working on a full-length album). 

Intercontinental Metal Champions: Empty Chalice (Created this new category for bands who come to the Bay Area from another country and put on a killer show, which Empty Chalice did on May 31st of this year). 

Biggest Douche of the Year: Sleep Token 

Lathe of Heaven “Aurora”

    In 2023 there was an album that came out which completely took me by surprise and without exaggeration would go on to be an album that I listen to rather frequently. The album that I am referring to is Lathe of Heaven’s debut album, “Bound by Naked Skies,” which is a truly brilliant sounding release containing some unbelievably profound lyrical content as well some utterly amazing post-punk/new wave arrangements. 

    When I first heard that Lathe of Heave was going to be releasing a follow-up album this year, I had mixed feelings about the announcement. As much as I welcomed the news, I could not ignore this slight hesitant feeling in regards to how the new release would be able to live up to the debut's profoundly captivating presence. Would Lathe of Heaven be able capture lightning in jar twice, or will it be a case of a band that completely deviates from what made them special on their first album? Well, after listening to the new album titled, “Aurora,” I can confidentiality say that Lathe of Heaven continues to present these captivating post-punk fueled songs with vivid lyrical vignettes inspired by science fiction literature and deep self-reflective themes that are drawn out from living in such an entropic world. 

    Although there are a lot of similarities between, “Bound By Naked Skies” and “Aurora,” I can definitely tell that the band pushed themselves in terms of the album’s production as well as how they went about trying to create some passionately reflective pieces of music. The opening song, “Exodus,” hooked me right away with the opening guitar arrangement having a very similar effect to that of music by The Chameleons. I can tell that Lathe of Heaven’s guitarist, Noel Mateus, sort of has a similar approach to crafting guitar parts like Reg Smithies from The Chameleons, especially when picking through these vibrant sounding chord progressions. On, “Exodus,” the band delivers a very classic post-punk sounding composition with a very catchy tempo driving the fearlessly song forward as Gage Allison’s vocals come gliding over the hypnotic sounding soundscape. The album’s second track and title track, “Aurora,” is a much more calming new wave/post-punk tale that talks about a dystopian world after nuclear fallout, yet also details the feelings of loss and affection. The song’s melodic tone matched with the bewitching tempo conjured up by the band’s drummer Stephen Reader, creates a comforting atmosphere to put your mind at ease. 

    Following, “Aurora,” the band goes from a more aggressive sounding style of song with, “Portrait of Scorched-Earth.” Inspired by the results of man's destructive tendencies and international conflict, the instrumental arrangement reminded me of songs from the debut album such as, “Inertia” and “The Breaking Strain.” Gage’s vocals become more fearsome as he shouts with unapologetic rage and the drums echo with a more thunderous sound. I think the track is a decent recording, however, the song is between two very exceptional tracks, with the following song, “Just Beyond the Reach of Light,” being my favorite song off of the album. In a way, “Just Beyond the Reach of Light,” sort of picks up where, “Aurora,” left off and really dives deep into the band’s versatile post-punk talents. Also, I think Gage’s vocals on “Just Beyond the Reach of Light,” were truly exceptional and you can vividly hear such genuine devotion to the topic he is singing about. Also, I thought the arrangement was one of their most dynamic and ambitious creations featuring some mesmerizing guitar parts. The album’s fourth song jumps more in a chaotic frenzy appropriately title, “Oblivion.” The bass lines Daniel Rojas lays down during the track are very impactful and compliment the frantic musical landscape which leaves one questioning their surroundings as they slowly begin to slip into the world without meaning. 

    For the second half of the album, the band offers even some more fascinating and eye opening tracks that I can see people who enjoy post-punk music/new wave really gravitating towards. “Kaleidoscope” is probably my second favorite song and after I listening to the track in my car driving around the day the album was released, I started to feel a very strong connection to this track. The song contains some powerful lyrics along with some very euphorically dreamy sounding instrumental parts. In addition to the calming post-punk style tracks, the band also returns with more Killing Joke-esque punchy pulsating rhythms on tracks like “Catatonia” and “Automation Bias.” I think “Automation Bias” is a strong thought provoking song which people can really relate to at this moment in time. I will admit that as much as I enjoyed the album’s final track, “Rorschach,” I do believe that the final song on their debut album, “Heralds of the Circuit-Born” was possibly one of the best ending tracks I have heard in a while. My reason for that last statement is that when you listen to, “Heralds of the Circuit-Born,” you become filled with all these different emotions and Gage’s voice provides a very comforting sendoff. Again, I have no issues with, “Rorschach,” and the song fits with the album’s magnetic post-punk energy. However, I do believe that, “Heralds of the Circuit-Born,” will forever be one of the most serene sounding conclusions to an album. 

    Now for those of you are regular readers of this blog, I would probably estimate that this is one of my longest reviews. Although that should be expected given how much respect and appreciation I have for Lathe of Heaven, especially when pertaining to their debut album. In the end, “Aurora,” did not disappointment in the least bit and once again proves that the members of this band are an undeniably talented and a extremely passionate. “Aurora” contains substance both musically and lyrically, and this group is extremely dedicated to their artistic vision. With all the insanity going on in the world, I have come to view Lathe of Heaven as an inspiration, and I do hope more people discover this band and become captivated by their music like I did when first hearing them. 

Check out the music video for "Aurora" below:

Lathe of Heaven Bandcamp:

https://latheofheaven.bandcamp.com/album/aurora

Top Ten Albums of 2023 / Rob "The Metal Guy" Awards

As 2023 comes to an end, looks like it's time once again to reflect back on all the killer releases that helped me get through this crazy year. Overall, I would say that the world of hard rock, punk and metal continues to thrive, unlike the state of Hollywood which cannot seem to put out anything worth seeing right now. Disney is so bad right now that the only thing they did this year was give South Park a great idea for new content. In terms of music labels, I would say that the underground/independent labels once again proved to be an inspiring force by working extremely hard to promote some great artists this year. Sentient Ruin for example really made an impact throughout the year and I would trust them to lead the country right now more than the knuckleheads we currently have in charge. Yes, competent leadership is hard to come by these days and sometimes I wonder if I should run for office, because I know I cannot do any worse (Rob "The Metal Guy" 2024!).  In the end, I was rather pleased with the amount of solid albums that came out in 2023 and I really look forward to hopefully another year of great music...unless our president presses the wrong button thinking he is hitting the button to have his diaper changed. Anyway, here it is people, my top ten albums of 2023!

10. Shadows "Out for Blood"

This Chilean heavy metal act really draws from classic 80's metal elements, while coming up with some sinister lyrical themes. I definitely hear a lot Mercyful Fate influence on this record, but that is what I believe made it such a solid sounding release. The riffs are unbelievably catchy and hook you right away. Also, the vocals provide that utterly haunting touch to create this dark horror movie like atmosphere where evil is lurking around every corner. This album is one of many albums that came out from Sentient Ruin this year which really stood out and ended up being in my top ten. 

Link to my full review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2023/05/shadows-out-for-blood.html

9. Uranium “Pure Nuclear Death”

Uranium is an utterly devastating act and when I listened to this new release, "Pure Nuclear Death," I was blown away by the abhorrent compositions that combine industrial elements and black/death metal. Talk about a surrealistic extreme metal exploration! Uranium does not disappoint when pertaining to the pure Armageddon like atmospheres that leave you feeling suffocated by this massive wall of decimating distortion. 

Link to my full review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2023/09/uranium-pure-nuclear-death.html

8.  Marduk “Memento Mori”

One of the most vicious and raw black metal acts around that has influenced so many young black metal bands over the years, really came out and offered up some utterly blasphemous cuts of savage black metal. I thought Marduk put together a solid album featuring some truly raw sounding black metal compositions, while not settling for overproduced substandard black metal riffs. I was rather pleased with this album and I hope to see Marduk continue to charge forward waiving the flag for intense and insidious black metal music. 

Link to my full review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2023/09/marduk-memento-mori.html

7. Decoherence "Order"

For Decoherence's third full-length album, "Order" the band went all out with more insane industrial noises mixed in with some harsh black metal elements to construct one mind altering release. The album is a dark exploration through these very unorthodox sounding riff structures, which creates some utterly entropic soundscapes. The experimentation and willingness to push the boundaries of extreme music is why I have always respected Decoherence, and I look forward to what they have in the works on future releases. 

Link to my full review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2023/07/decoherence-order.html

6.  Old Tower “Draconic Synthesis”

Following up Old Tower's 2021 release, "The Old King of Witches," an album that I greatly enjoyed, The Specter has returned with yet another sinister dungeon synth tale to lead minds astray and travel into the dark mysterious depth. The Specter is a genius when it comes to composing ambient dungeon synth arrangements, and I must say that the albums he has been come out with over the last few years have really stood out. Even though there are no lyrics, the sounds and synth arrangements create a profoundly dark synergy which slowly builds these vivid atmospheric tales. I cannot wait to get this on vinyl, as Old Tower's releases are a must have if you enjoy ambient/dungeon synth music. 

Link to my full review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2023/10/old-tower-draconic-synthesis.html

5.  Ch’Ahom “Knots of Abhorrence”

This album is a surrealistic venture into Mayan lore that draws you in like a malevolent jungle spirit possessing your mind as you slowly go insane from the pure blackened death bludgeoning. Ch’Ahom's ritualistic sound is perfectly captured on their debut album, “Knots of Abhorrence," and I would definitely consider this to be one the strongest conceptual releases to come out this year. Sentient Ruin was responsible from putting this out, and I think Ch’Ahom's sound and style perfectly fits in with the other bands in the Sentient Ruin roster. 

Link to my review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2023/10/chahom-knots-of-abhorrence.html

4. Ash Prison “Future Torn” 

This was yet another one of my favorite albums to be released on Sentient Ruin this year and it really took me by surprise. "Future Torn," is a killer debut album featuring some monstrous tracks that blend together industrial metal and black metal. If you are fan of early Ministry and abrasive black metal then this album will be that perfect combination of cold harsh sounding industrial rhythms and ear shattering heavily distorted guitar riffs. 

Link to my full review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2023/09/ash-prison-future-torn.html

3.  Night Demon "Outsider"

Night Demon's third full-length album took a turn into new territory by being band's first full blown concept album. Initially when I heard the first single,"Outsider," I did not think the band was going to be deviating too far from their core classic NWOBHM influenced sound, but when you listen to this album in its entirety you can really hear where the band took their time to make the album flow and tell a very fascinating story. From the musicianship to the songwriting, I truly believe Night Demon is one of the most talented acts around and deserves a lot of respect for the hard work they continue to pour into their recordings. 

Link to my full review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2023/03/night-demon-outsider.html

2.  Ceremonial Bloodbath “Genesis of Malignant Entropy”

Ceremonial Bloodbath is without question one of the most brutal and unforgiving acts around. The band's debut album which was released through Sentient Ruin in 2020, "The Tides of Blood," is an inhumanly insidious blackened death album that I consider to be one of the greatest extreme metal releases to come out in the past few years. For their follow-up release, the band did not disappoint one bit and the new material continues the bestial onslaught with even more ferocious riffs and decimating blast beats. When you look at this albums cover you see pure unholy devastation, which is exactly what you imagine when listening to the barbaric riffs and savage blast beats on this album/ 

Link to my full review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2023/10/ceremonial-bloodbath-genesis-of.html

1. Lathe of Heaven “Bound by Naked Skies” 

As someone who enjoys post-punk and new wave music, I was extremely impressed the first time I heard Lathe of Heaven's debut album, "Bound by Naked Skies." The songwriting is exceptional and the production on this album really captures that classic post-punk/new wave sound. Based out of NYC, Lathe of Heaven is a very talented act, and the band's sound reminded me a lot of Killing Joke, Joy Division and Echo & the Bunnymen, yet even though I heard a variety of influences I thought the band had very distinct and original sound. I have listened to this album almost everyday and I find that the music is written with such great substance to where you become profoundly drawn to the breathtaking chord progressions and captivating lyrics. 

Link to my full review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2023/09/lathe-of-heaven-bound-by-naked-skies.html

Rob “The Metal Guy” Awards

Label of the Year: Sentient Ruin

Best Live Performance: My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult at the Ritz in San Jose, CA

EP of the Year:  Eternal “Faceless Evil”

Most Brutal Album Cover of the Year: Ceremonial Bloodbath “Genesis of Malignant Entropy”

Music Video of the Year: Night Demon "The Wrath" 

Up and Coming Artist of the Year: Sin Offering (Check out their EP "Charnel House")  

Manga of the Year: Mao by Rumiko Takahashi 

Biggest Douche of the Year: Tony Khan the head of All Elite Wrestling (If he does not win Booker of the Year from that schmuck wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, then at least he wins something…) 

Lathe of Heaven “Bound by Naked Skies”

    With lyrical themes inspired by classic and contemporary science-fiction authors as well as a sound that blends together hardcore punk, post-punk and new wave, NYC based band Lathe of Heaven offers listeners an unbelievably profound debut album. Titled, “Bound by Naked Skies,” the album captures the pure essence of 80’s inspired post-punk/new wave, while also having a uniquely refreshing sound from start to finish. 

    I came across this album through the Youtube channel, No Deal, which is a great channel to subscribe to if you are a fan of hardcore punk, post-punk and crust punk. Lathe of Heaven reminds me so much of what you would have heard coming from the UK and Europe during that late seventies and early eighties period where you had punk bands starting to experiment more with electronics, dark atmospheres and haunting synth arrangements. You hear a bit of Killing Joke and Siouxsie and the Banshees in their sound as well as new wave acts such as OMD and early Echo and the Bunnymen. They really do such a great job recording a refreshing sounding album by coming up with some very catchy verse and chorus sections wrapped up in these mesmerizing compositions. Also, the band’s vocalist has a captivating delivery that grabs your attention right away and puts your mind at easy while you listening to words soar over the enchanting post-punk instrumental arrangements.  

    The album features eleven tracks, and I can guarantee that there are no filler songs on the entire release. Everything seems to be in perfect synchronicity when the band launches into the first song on the album, "At Moment's Edge." The guitar notes ring out with such an awe-inspiring sound and the guitar effects used by the guitarist create an extremely comforting atmosphere. On the second song, “Ekpyrosis,” the band comes up with a more punchy sounding piece of post-punk music that reminded me of classic Killing Joke. The lyrics vividly standout out as you slowly become engrossed in the catchy sounding musical landscape. Also, the bass tone on this track as well as most tracks on this album is truly immaculate sounding and adds so much to the band's overall sound. 

    Other tracks like, “Genome” and “Inertia,” continue to emphasize this classic post-punk/new wave sound that explores themes of science fiction and deep thought provoking concepts. Musically the band does not disappoint and the riffs on this album simply take you away from all the chaos and despair of modern society to look beyond what our current reality has to offer. “Moon-Driven Sea,” takes a turn down a more solemn sounding pathway, one which caught my attention instantly and made me forget about everything around me as I listened intently to the singer’s enchanting vocal delivery which follows along to the spectral guitar chords. 

    Another track that I want to point out is, "Ilusi ó n de Luces (Cold's Embrace),” because on this song there is another singer who starts the song off and then switches with the band’s primary singer. The contrasting voices makes the overall composition extremely fascinating, while also perfectly matching song’s quick and frantic tempo. I think what I took away most from this album was how strong the songwriting was on the entire release. There are few albums I have come across whether they be metal, rock, or punk releases that have such a captivating quality. 

    Lathe of Heaven’s “Bound by Naked Skies” has the potential to be a highly sought after release, especially amongst fans who enjoy 80’s post-punk and new wave. When I saw that Sacred Bones was the label that would be putting this album out, I knew Lathe of Heaven was in good hands since Sacred Bones is a label that is known for promoting very talented, highly driven and passionately creative acts. I do hope more people check this album out, because even if you are not a massive fan of this type of music, the songwriting and I think the overall sound of this album can be extremely appealing to a wide range of people. No matter what year or decade it happens to be, I strongly believe Lathe of Heaven is a band that will be able to transcend musical trends and maintain to passionate cult like following thanks to what they accomplished on this album. 

Check out the video for "At Moment's Edge" below:

Lathe of Heaven Bandcamp:

https://latheofheaven.bandcamp.com/album/bound-by-naked-skies