Season’s greetings, MetalTalkers. Here is my roundup for 2025, proving beyond all doubt that rock and Heavy Metal is most certainly alive and kicking.
Top Five Albums
There was a proliferation of top-drawer albums released in 2025. This is my top five.
- Sleep Token – Even In Arcadia.
If 2024 was the year that exploded Sleep Token into the rock world’s collective consciousness, 2025 saw the masked marauders explode into the stratosphere. Their Even In Arcadia album was not as instantly connective as Take Me Back To Eden was.
Repeated plays slowly peeled back the layers and showed the songwriting genius of Vessel and II. Never being afraid of genre mashing, Even In Arcadia was an in-depth study in human emotions and A class musicality.
A headline slot at Download 2025 proved the naysayers wrong, and a sold-out American arena tour proved beyond doubt that Sleep Token are the real deal. European dates have yet to be announced, but expect the sold-out banners to be emblazoned across all the dates in record time when they are announced.
- Coheed And Cambria – The Father Of Make Believe
New York Progressive Metal masters Coheed And Cambria continued their Vaxis series of albums with the stunning The Father Of Make Believe.
Coheed are a very rare breed. In my humble opinion, they have never released a bad album. Every release goes one step further than the previous, and The Father Of Make Believe is a joy from start to finish.
- Ricky Warwick – Blood Ties
The hardest working frontman in rock, Ricky Warwick, released yet another amazing album with Blood Ties. Whether it is his knack of choosing the perfect guest artists to appear on his solo albums, for Blood Ties, we got Charlie Starr from Blackberry Smoke, Billy Duffy from The Cult and Miss Lita Ford. Blood Ties is a proper rock album and is all the better for it.
- Avatar – Don’t Go In The Forest
Sweden’s kings of theatrical Groove Metal upped the ante once more with their incredible Don’t Go In The Forest album. Do not let the fact that it is their most commercial album to date deter you, these crazy Swedes know how to bare their fangs when it is required.
- Smith / Kotzen – Black Light / White Noise
Following on from their self-titled debut, rock guitar royalty Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen up the heaviness with their sophomore release, Black Light / White Noise. The combination of both artists’ guitar playing and their vocal chops made this album something that was never far from my ears in 2025. I can’t wait to catch them live in February 2026.
Live shows
Like 2024, gigs have been few and far between for yours truly in 2025. The last gig I saw was definitely the best of the year, though – The Almighty at Glasgow Barrowlands on St. Andrew’s Day.
I can honestly say that I have never been disappointed by an Almighty gig. This homecoming show was nothing short of incredible. Ricky Warwick, Andy ‘Tantrum’ McCafferty, Floyd London and Stumpy Monroe gave everything they had in a live rock masterclass.
The Stranglers at Watford Colliseum needs special mention too. It has been 30 years since I last went to this wonderful old venue, to see Killing Joke with Skunk Anansie supporting, so it was a treat to return to see The Stranglers and The Skids in top form.
To Those We Lost In 2025
The biggest blow we had at MetalTalk towers in 2025 was the passing of our founding editor, Steve Göldby. Steve did all of the groundwork for what we have become now, and he was taken from us far too soon.
Ozzy Osbourne was another who shuffled off this mortal coil in 2025. His legacy, both with Sabbath and his solo work, will last forever. Ace Frehley was the one member of the original Kiss lineup that most people could relate to. Never the most technically gifted guitar player, he made up for that with feel and soul. It came as such a shock to read about his passing.
Paul Di’anno’s passing was a strange one. His ongoing medical issues had been well documented, but it was still a shock to hear of the former Maiden vocalist’s passing in 2024. Chris Dale’s wonderful book about Paul’s last Australian tour, released this year, gives a wonderfully poignant insight into the legendary frontman’s physical and mental state near the end.
Finally, I would personally like to thank the sterling work of Steve Ritchie, Ian Sutherland and Brian Boyle. Your hard work and dedication shine through.
I would also like to thank every single one of our readers for taking the time to read our articles and visit our site. Without you, this would be pointless. A very Merry Christmas and a rocking New Year to you all.
