Brent’s Best of 2025

I’ve probably purchased more new-release vinyl this year than most.  

Funny enough, most of the albums were technically released more than a year ago, and the vinyl just took some time to produce (I’ve heard wait times at pressing plants are pretty crazy these days).  So putting together this list was kind of difficult, as I was disappointed in realizing that many of my acquisitions from this year could not qualify for my best of 2025.  

Despite that, I had a great time combing back through this year’s actual releases and found it interesting that mostly demos and EP’s comprised the most intriguing releases for me.  I love that black metal (no offense to any other sub genres within metal but it’s like 95% black metal that appeals to me these days) is so fruitful and interesting these days.  I think the genre is more diverse and interesting than it’s ever been.  Some of the releases this year will go down as classics, due to their forward-thinking, modern approaches.

Here’s hoping 2026 is just as strong.  I’m most looking forward to the new Iron Firmament release.  If you haven’t checked out what’s happening in the PNW via Wergild, I suggest you do.  I also want to quickly should out a small handful of vinyl releases that came out recently that just barely did not qualify for this list: Ardente – La Nuit Éternelle, Coeur Doré – Visions, Desert Eagle – The Festering Wound, and Grundhyrde – Keeper of the Abyss.  

Now to the main event. My Top 10 of 2025:

1. Sargeist – Flame Within Flame (World Terror Committee)

Sargeist didn’t forget to bring the riffs with this album.  It’s pummeling and also very melodic.  Really excellent stuff, and in my opinion this is neck and neck with Let the Devil In as their best album.  It’s undeniable from start to finish. Just give it a whirl. For fans of all black metal.  

2. Selvnatt – Empty Life (Self released, vinyl via Phantom Lure)

I have to say I’m a fan of the “romantic” black metal genre that’s popped up in recent years.  I’d say ‘Empty Life’ sits somewhere in between Këkht Aräkh and Midnight Betrothed (or even Darkthrone and Cradle of Filth) and probably taking influence from bands like (and FFO) Lifelover, Alcest, and even Lamp of Murmuur (although I’d say Slevnatt has more goth influence than M’s horny energy.) 

3. Wandering Bird – Promo MMXXV (Self released, cassette via Tour de Garde)

It’s like if the Conifere/Vesperal guy was heavily influenced by The Templars.  Which is exactly what this is.  Stellar melodic raw black oi metal. Fuzzy lo-fi guitars with triumphant melodies and shrieked vocals.  The Quebecois are well known for producing some of the best black metal and that tradition continues here.  FFO: Desert Eagle, Conifere, The Templars, Ardente, 

4. Vespéral – La Mort De L’âme (self released, vinyl via GoatowaRex)

Nakkabre (Wandering Bird, Conifere) landing 2 projects on my top 10 this year.  Vesperal is serving impressive raw atmospheric black metal in line with the quality you’d expect from Quebecois. They also mix in punk elements, depressive shrieked vocals at times, Drudkh-esque hypnotic and melodic brooding parts, layered with cosmic synths.   FFO: Forteresse, Spectral Wound, Iron Firmament, Nimbifer, etc. 

5. Nimbifer – Vom Gipfel (Vendetta Records)

15 minutes of amazingly powerful and relentless atmospheric riffs from this most excellent German black metal duo.  The sound of a sonic battle envelopes you then then when the battle is over a quiet synth track gives relief and contemplation on the aural war that just took place.  For fans of Hajduk, Weigedood, Bekhira, etc.  

6. Lamp of Murmuur – The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy (Wolves of Hades)

M always seems to be shifting and molding his sound.  On this new one you can hear parts of Saturnian Bloodstorm and  Submission and Slavery right from the first track.  I think this album is a culmination of all of the influences and albums he’s put out so far.  Expertly blending past explorations into post punk, goth, Norwegian black metal, romanticism, etc into one tight and cohesive album.  FFO: Immortal, Emperor, Sisters of Mercy, Echo and the Bunnymen, One of Nine.

7. Mournful Moon – Twilight My Passion (self released, vinyl via Goatowarex)

Super unique Greek black metal that mix heavy dungeon synth elements and a dreamlike gothic atmosphere with excellent riff-heavy black metal.  A big step up from their previous releases in my opinion as the band have a stronger black metal sound by changing up the vocal styling and writing stronger guitar riffs overall.  FFO: Romantic black metal, Labyrinthus Stellarum 

8. Kūka’ilimoku – Creation Chant (Goatowarex)

Creation Chant is a primitive, visceral, punk rock Darkthrone esque, cathartic raw Hawaiian black metal album of the highest order.  Kūka’ilimoku has been on my radar since releasing a split with one of my current favorite projects, Ebony Pendant.  He keeps getting better and better as a musician and songwriter.  Creation Chant is the best output I’ve heard yet.  FFO: Mäleficentt, Kommodus, Ifernach, Devil Master, Pan-Amerikan Native Front

9. Sarastus – Agony Eternal (Dominance of Darkness)

Excellent Finnish black metal that I’ve seen draw comparisons to fellow countrymen Sargeist, which I do think is warranted.  Excellent tremolo riffing some mid tempo stuff, sometimes triumphant and sometimes a little depressive.  Always killer.  Also for fans of: Mgla, Advent Sorrow, Uada, Totenwache, etc.  

10. Moosegut – In Nature’s Embrace (Self released, CD via Darker Than Black)

I really like the keyboard/synth work on this album.  It really enhances the atmospheric punk-y raw black metal.  This album has the highest production level I’ve heard so far from this project.  I certainly didn’t mind the rawness of the first couple of albums myself but this does sound good.  I’ve been hooked on this project since the first album that had that very cool raw black metal Pink Floyd sounding song.  After hearing the synth forward nature of this album it makes me sense to me why F.P.’s newest release is a dungeon synth album.  Always keeping things interesting.  FFO: Ifernach, Délétère, Goatmoon, Pink Floyd (lol)