Funnily enough, towards the end of 2024, I was thinking that it would be a year that would not be easy to top. How wrong I was, looking back now. Here is what made 2025 great for me.
2025 – My Rock & Metal Year
In my view, you know that a year has been great musically when so much has happened that, looking back over your diary, you cannot believe that all of these events have been less than 12 months ago.
And it is only fitting that I am starting to write these lines on a train. Of course, on the way to a gig, the last one in 2025 for me – Clutch in London. This time, as a “civilian”, as my MetalTalk family has already covered this tour. I have no doubt that Mr. Fallon & the gang will kick ass, as they have a tendency to do.
Coming back to this year, though, the word that comes to mind is “busy”. It had a bit of everything – a few very good albums from artists new and not so new, as well as an absolute ton of great gigs.
It feels to me that rumours of rock and Metal’s demise are again greatly exaggerated. Is the scene suffering financially? Reports tend to suggest that things are not going as well as they used to. Does it seem that way, as someone in the middle of it all? No, it does not. It feels like, even if the economy is not doing great in general, people would rather give up on other things than not go to gigs. And that is fantastic. Priorities.
There is also the not-so-small matter of the AI revolution. The thing is everywhere, whether we like it or not. As you might use it to compare toilet paper and kitchen glove brands, some use it to make music. And some of that music makes it into the charts.
Do I think artists need to be worried? Those relying exclusively on views/streams and the like – most certainly. Those playing live and doing it well – a little less so. I think we are still far from AI robot bands replacing the real thing. There will be ABBA hologram-like things, but if anything, the likes of bubble gum pop music are a more plausible victim to me.
But let’s see what was great about 2025 (in my view).
My Best Live Shows of 2025
This is a very tough one. As I mentioned, it was a year that had a bit of everything. Which is why what you will get below will be in no particular order:
Ghost at The O2 Arena
What a night and what a show! The Skeletour had a bit of everything, showing how far Tobias Forge’s baby has come. It sounded fantastic and looked ridiculously good, as over the top as you expect, with one earworm after the other. So entertaining it’s hard to express in words.
But I tried anyway. In a MetalTalk review.
Savatage Returning to the Stage
This was one for the ages. The band has returned after a very long break, and the London show, which I covered for MetalTalk, as well as the one at Hellfest (which we also covered), were both for the history books.
It simply felt like both parties – band and audience – missed each other in equal measure. And they made sure that the feeling was well-expressed. The good news is that this was no one-off. They are back for the long run, it seems.
Iron Maiden at London Stadium
I know this one is pretty obvious, but what a ridiculously good show the London Stadium one was. Maiden was firing on all cylinders, visually and musically, and the crowd was simply amazing. What a night.
Toto at OVO Arena Wembley
Toto sounding incredible is something as reliable as rain in England. And the show at OVO Arena Wembley was another example of this. Impeccable chops, great vocals and, on top of it all, great sound. The latter is not always something you can count on in an Arena.
Slayer at Finsbury Park
This was one I would have never thought I would see again. But they did their limited return, and it was like they never left. 200 mph, enough pyro to burn down a small country, and as fun as ever. I hope it was not a one-off.
These were the ones that first came to mind.
Hellfest 2025 was HOT (literally) and full of incredible performances as well, and an honourable mention goes to Marilyn Manson’s return to the live stage, easily at the best level he has been at in the last quarter of a century.
Or I could mention the ridiculously entertaining Lindemann show at Wembley Arena, Tremonti playing a fantastic set in London on a Valentine’s evening that I spent there with our editor Steve Ritchie, or Halestorm’s fantastic O2 Arena night.
You get the picture. And I am obviously cheating here.
All in all, it was a great year for live music.
My Albums of the Year 2025
Again, these will be in no particular order, as they are different types of music for different moments. They have all been with me at various points in 2025 and will probably remain with me for a long time.
Just to make an observation, it did not feel to me like 2025 was as rich in important albums as other years. And I mean sheer numbers. However, it more than made up for it in the quality of some of the records that came out. And here are some of these, in my view. I will recommend my favourite track from each record.
Tremonti – The End Will Show Us How
Exceptional solo effort from the Alter Bridge and Creed guitarist. It is full of great riffs, soulful, and sounds great throughout. I had the chance to see their show on the supporting tour and, together with the album, it certainly made me go back to the previous Tremonti releases and realise they deserved a lot more attention.
My standout track: It’s Not Over
Halestorm – Everest
You know how many bands say the “this is the best thing we have ever done” line for every album? Well, Halestorm has every right to say it about Everest. It’s a mature record, with a bit of everything, showing everything this band has become up to this point and how we can be confident that great things will continue to come from Lzzy Hale & co. Hard to fault.
Also, see them live. ASAP.
My standout track: Like A Woman Can
Steven Wilson – The Overview
What a progressive journey this album is. One of those records to just sit down, headphones on, eyes closed and think of the universe and our insignificance over the course of two tracks that clock at around 20 minutes each.
Or, you know, just enjoy the excellent performances and how you can use it (like any Steven Wilson album) to test proper audio equipment. At the risk of repeating myself, this also came with a great live performance – and yes, the whole album was played.
Standout track: (a fragment of the first part, Objects Outlive Us): Meanwhile
Ghost – Skeletá
Yes, Ghost again. Skeletá is an interesting animal. Upon first listening to it, it seemed to me that Tobias Forge had gone too far down the AOR path. Nothing wrong with AOR (wink! check below), but it seemed odd. And then I got completely into this album.
Thanks in no part to my two-year-old loving the song Satanized – I can’t believe I just wrote this, and with pride – which he started calling “SONG!”, in that exact tone.
Now, when Mr. Forge checks his streaming numbers for that track (to which I can add a few spins of the vinyl record). Well, put simply, I know who is responsible for a large chunk.
Long story short, the album makes a lot of sense to me now, and I love it.
Standout track: (no, not that one) – Lachryma
FM – Brotherhood
Did I say AOR? Yes, I did. Well, this one had to make the cut. As a friend of mine put it, “these guys are showing them all how it’s done.” And they are. One of the albums I listened to a lot this year. Because it is simply the kind that can go on repeat forever.
Standout track: Don’t Call It Love
Spiritbox – Tsunami Sea
And, because anyone who knows me will tell you that my musical taste just jumps everywhere, I could not possibly end this list without this monster of a record. It is everything a modern Metal record should be, and it sounds incredible throughout.
It is powerful, and it just grabs you by the throat and drags you with it.
Standout track: Soft Spine
Most Memorable Interview or Moment at MetalTalk
I am truly in luck. This year had a lot of such moments. But if I were to choose two or three, they would be:
Covering Hellfest as a MetalTalk Writer for the First Time
Covering a festival of such magnitude, especially in extreme heat, can be exhausting. Covering it with an incredible team, as the one MetalTalk had at Hellfest this year, is an absolute pleasure (greetings, gentlemen!).
We saw some incredible gigs at this year’s edition and, believe it or not, I went to gigs on six of that week’s seven days (and lived to tell the tale on MetalTalk).
Making 14-Year-Old Bogdan Proud
If you had told 14-year-old me that one day he would get to interview Savatage’s Chris Caffery and Manowar’s Joey DeMaio, he would have probably laughed and told you to avoid mixing up whatever you are on.
And that is because he was listening to those bands A LOT. Adult Bogdan continued to do so. And interviewed those two gentlemen for MetalTalk.
Looking Ahead to 2026
If there is one thing all my years of listening to music, going to gigs, and writing about music have taught me, it is to expect the unexpected and try to be as prepared as possible for the things you know are happening (and then rip up the rule book and wing it when they’re nothing like what you prepared for).
And I do know about a ton of great gigs coming to these shores next year. Off the top of my head, I can think of Alter Bridge (with a new album, too), Sammy Hagar featuring Joe Satriani & Co., Def Leppard, as well as a ton of others. And some cool festivals. And I will be covering many of them for MetalTalk.
Also, I am secretly hoping that Rush will announce something around here. Geddy and Alex, if you are reading this, I would really appreciate it.
To me, 2026 already looks busier than 2025. And 2025 was crazy, which is why I, for one, cannot wait.
With that in mind, this is where I sign off for 2025, wishing you a happy whatever you are celebrating or a restful time off if you are not celebrating anything, as well as a 2026 with the distortion pedal fully pressed down.
Because as long as we have good music, the rest will, hopefully, sort itself out.
