2025 Albums

2025 END OF THE YEAR LISTS: BEST ALBUMS

What a great year 2025 has been for music. So many great albums, tours, songs, you name it. And now the time has come for…

The 2025 Audioeclectica End Of The Year Lists end with the list for Best Album. As always the stipulation for this is that the Album or EP had to be released in 2025.

Vote for your favorite in the comments section. At the end of the month, I will release the results of the readers poll.

Please Note: 1-15 Are In Order!

01) Idle Heirs- Life Is Violence
02) AFI- Silver Bleeds The Black Sun
03) Heavy Halo- Damaged Dream
04) Black Magnet- Megamantra
05) Blood Vulture- Die Close
06) Nine Inch Nails- Tron: Ares
07) Guiltless- Teeth To Sky
08) SOM- Let The Light In
09) Blackwater Holylight- If You Only Knew
10) Deftones- Private Music
11) Coheed And Cambria- The Father Of Make Believe
12) The Owling- You Don’t Bow, You Will Learn
13) Machinekit- Goddamn Vanity
14) Reba Meyers- Clouded World
15) The Smashing Pumpkins- Machina: The Complete Album
16) Bush- I Beat Loneliness
17) Chevelle- Bright As Blasphemy
18) Deadguy- Near Death Travel Services
19) The Anti-Groupies- Pretty Vicious
20) H09909- Tomorrow We Escape
21) The Halo Effect- March Of The Unheard
22) The Haunted- Songs Of Last Resort
23) Nine Necks- Ritual/Demise
24) Jinjer- Duel
25) Greyhaven- Keep It Quiet

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: THE OWLING- YOU DON’T BOW YOU WILL LEARN

I love albums that you can put on and let them just take you on a ride. Then there is that feeling you get when that right chord, melody or rhythm strikes. Also, it’s really refreshing to hear a band make an actual “album” and not just a collection of songs! Let me introduce you to, The Owling! This two piece Los Angeles based band is fast becoming a favorite of mine. Their sound is the perfect mix of 90’s Rock, Doom and Sludge with a very cinematic/poetic approach. The Owling’s debut album, You Don’t Bow You Will Learn, is a of righteous slab of riffs, and driving rhythms with vocals that soar. Think about driving down an open desert highway at sunset or sunrise with the windows down and this album blasting. Are you there yet? That’s exactly how this album feels. With each listen you find a different song to be your favorite. One other aspect about You Don’t Bow You Will Learn that I really enjoy is the use of space/ambience. When you listen, at certain moments, it’s almost like the fog machine is on and you get lost in the epic nature of the song. I very much look forward to what 2026 will bring for The Owling! Check out this band and be sure to buy a copy of their debut album and see them live! Also, quick shout out to Dean Karr for his badassery of great photo’s of the band and album cover. Talk about nailing an essence in a photo!

The Owling- You Don’t Bow You Will Learn:

ALBUM REVIEW: GREYHAVEN- KEEP IT QUIET

I’m always intrigued how people get into certain bands. I love hearing different ways people have found bands and all that. I’m no different when it comes to finding bands. A while back I heard a band that caught my attention and from that point I went out of my way to listen to as much as I could from said band. The band I’m talking about is Greyhaven and they have a badass new album out called Keep It Quiet. Now four albums deep into their career, Greyhaven have released an album that not only expands upon their heavy sound but opens the gate to so many fun little nuances.

Keep It Quiet feels like the album Greyhaven have been striving to make since their formation. The balance of heaviness, melodic, and delicate moments makes this a bold statement of an album. Each song hits at a different feeling/emotion which allows the music and vocals to sink into your mind and weave an intricate web of textures and directions. This album is what separates Greyhaven from the rest of the pack. The pace at which this album explodes is another treat. And the atmospheric vibe in the background gives the album an extra dose of air in between pummeling riffs, soaring screams and melodic vocals.

From start to finish, Keep It Quiet is as cohesive as the bands 2018 album Empty Black. Songs like “Burn A Miracle,” “Night In October,” “Technicolor Blues” and ” Shatter and Burst” are without a doubt some of the heaviest on the album. “Diamond To Diamond” and “Satellite In Love” are two of my favorite songs on the record. The delicate nature of these two tracks really play well into the melodic structure. “When The Light Leaves Us” and the closing track “Cemetery Sun” are two of the most epic songs on the album each containing fun twists and turns that leave you wanting to start those songs over and over again. Like I said, this album is very cohesive and it’s best to just listen from beginning to end.

One other thing I need to mention is the production by Will Putney. Will over the past decade has really become a go to producer/engineer to get the sounds that a ton of bands in the heavy music genres are after. The way that Will can get the right tone from the guitar and perfectly compliment it with the right bass and drum sounds makes my ears tingle. Keep It Quiet is chock full of sweet ear candy moments courtesy of Will and the way he helps bands bring out the best in them.

Greyhaven have been here a while but, Keep It Quiet needs to be talked about loudly. So much so that when you are playing this album it should be played loud too! I truly hope people out there get to hear this album. I’ve heard a lot of records this year and this one has really left a lasting impact on me. Take some time and give this a listen and let it sweep you off your feet!

Overall Rating: 9/10

Review By: Brian Lacy

Greyhaven-Keep It Quiet:

ALBUM REVIEW: AFI- SILVER BLEEDS THE BLACK SUN

AFI has long been a band that evolves a bit more with each album. For many albums now, AFI have been adding more and more goth elements to the music and on this new album (studio album number 12), Silver Bleed The Black Sun, they have just gone full on with it and the end result is absolutely splendid. This album leans all the way into the post-punk influences of bands like The Cure, Joy Division, Sisters Of Mercy, Bauhaus and more.

While the album is short in time with ten songs and clocking in at 35 minutes, there isn’t one ounce of filler or out of place anything on Silver Bleeds The Black Sun. What you have is one of their most cohesive albums since Burials (which is one hell of a great album). Each song evokes a certain mood and vibe making this a grand listening experience. From the way the album opens with the haunting “The Bird Of Prey” all the way through the very punk “NOONEUNDERGROUND,” it’s a non stop ride. The twists and turns found throughout make it chock full of ear candy and sweet surprises. There’s a really fun 80’s vibe throughout the album too that tinges on new wave without taking away the darkness. While the lyrics are of a contemplative and dark nature as they would be courtesy of Davey Havok, musically Jade Puget, Hunter Burgan and Adam Carson have pushed past any preconceived notions of what they’ve done before and brought a very invigorating sound that is vibrant and alive while at the same time eerie and full of bite.

I could have gone track by track but I truly believe that takes away from the listening experience. Instead, put this album on and let it just take you where it needs to go. A band like AFI is quite interesting in that they never want to stay in one place for too long and get complacent. One of the things I’ve genuinely loved about this band is their willingness to take chances and explore all that they enjoy. I’ve said to people many times over the years that AFI is one of those bands that you should give a chance to even if it isn’t your normal cup of tea. Silver Bleeds The Black Sun is one of the best albums of 2025.

Overall Rating: 9/10

Stand Out Tracks: Blasphemy & Excess, Spear Of Truth, A World Unmade, NOONEUNDERGROUND

Review By: Brian Lacy

AFI- SILVER BLEEDS THE BLACK SUN:

ALBUM REVIEW: REBA MEYERS- CLOUDED WORLD

When I first heard Reba Meyers was going to be releasing solo material, I got quite excited. After seeing her other band Code Orange a while back, I could tell there was more to Reba than just this band. There was a ferociousness that was just waiting to be unleashed. We already knew her guitar playing was top notch but the vocals took it all to another level and showed that Reba was the one in that band that had “the whole package.” Even when Reb guested on the Greg Puciato song “Lowered,” you could tell that Reba was well on her own path. And now here we are with Reba’s first release as a solo artist, Clouded World. This six song EP is full of dark, moody and melodic grooves and deeply personal and poetic lyrics and vocals.

There are many things to unpack on this release. As I mentioned the lyrics are very personal and poetic. The vocal delivery is otherworldly. You definitely hear and feel all the words sung. This is one of my favorite things about artists like Reba, the authenticity is 100% real. Musically, there are loads of influences and inspirations packed into these songs. On one hand you have some very heavy rock driven songs that have this attitude and bite to it with soaring melodies on top. Then you have more delicate atmospheric songs that explore a more etherial side with a bit of electronic elements to further open the space. All while still being poetic.

Clouded World has fast become one of my favorite releases of 2025. I eagerly await Reba’s full length debut which will be out in 2026. The tour kicks off today, and I’m very excited to see Reba live and hear these songs come to life when the Los Angeles date comes up on August 24th. Do yourself a favor and put this record on and let it take you places you haven’t been in a while!

Overall Rating: A

Standout Tracks: ALL

Written By: Brian Lacy

Reba Meyers- Clouded World EP:

The Videos:

Clouded World:

Got Your Hold On Me:

Certain Uncertainty:

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: BLACK MAGNET- MEGAMANTRA

Over the last couple of years, Black Magnet has been a band I’ve become quite fond of. Each album has upped the ante of not just creating great industrial music but, has breathed new life into the genre. Which brings me to the album of the week, Black Magnet’s new record, Megamantra. If you are a fan of classic industrial a la Ministry, Godflesh, Broken/Downward era Nine Inch Nails then you will absolutely love Megamantra.

Black Magnet’s Megamantra is an album not for the faint of heart. This album is a hard charging, pummeling piece of work. The dark yet lush dynamics found on this record really captivate the listener. While the subject matter on the album is chock full of heavy and harsh realities, the songs are layered with an anthemic sensibility that packs obscene amounts of energy into each track. The guitars are razor sharp and the riffs hit you like a ton of bricks. The synth work on this album is on par with the likes of Nine Inch Nails and it creates an additional mood that compliments the hard driving riffs and thunderous drums (which are live- thank you Noah!!!). Throughout the 9 songs on the album, you can most definitely sense that this is a “complete album.” The whole album is a standout track. I implore you to listen to this album from start to finish.

James Hammontree, the bands founder, guitarist, and vocalist has put together a lineup for this album that truly explodes upon first listen. Compelling is a great way to describe this record. After listening to this album, one, you’ll more than likely want to start it over, because it’s that good, and two, you’ll really want to go see Black Magnet live. The way these songs flow into one another as well as the very direct approach in writing makes Megamantra one of the best albums of 2025. Black Magnet is a band for now and the future so make sure you connect with this one!

Overall Rating: A

Standout Tracks: The Whole Album

Black Magnet- Megamantra:

ANTICIPATED ALBUMS: HEAVY HALO- DAMAGED DREAM

A little while back I brought up a band called Heavy Halo and I’ve been totally enthralled by them. Their distinctive sound that mixes electronic, industrial, alternative and a bit of goth makes for one hell of an enjoyable listen. Imagine if Nine Inch Nails, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Cure, and a dash of (early) New Order, put that all together and you get Heavy Halo. Their album Damaged Dream comes out on July 25 and it’s definitely one of the most anticipated albums for the rest of 2025 for me. There are so many different things to unpack when listening to this band and their album. One of the things that I love most is the use of melody throughout which brings a different light to the genre. The hooks found in the songs as well, drive home that there is more in these songs than just beats. Lyrically too, its a deeply reflective album that resonates in many different ways. July 25 can’t come soon enough so the rest of you can hear this album! Really stoked on what’s to come from this band and I still have hope that there will be a Los Angeles show in the near future because I need to see this live!

Bloodrush:

The Poisoning:

Erase Your Fate:

Justified:

Final Fall:

Damage Me:

New Blood:

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: GUILTLESS- TEETH TO SKY

For a while now, I’ve been searching for the a certain type of band to come along and ease my pain of not having Neurosis nor Isis (the band) being active. I know that sounds silly considering there are plenty of bands out there that I’ve heard that could possibly do it but, I’ve been looking for that one band to take that style a bit in a different direction and I found it. Guiltless, a fitting name for a band that definitely has that Neurosis vibe (their album is released through Neurot Recordings and guitarist/vocalist Josh Graham did work with Neurosis creating visual components). Joining forces with Sacha Dunable, Billy Graves and Dan Hawkins, members of Intronaut and Generation Of Vipers, this devastating four piece has taken the good old fashioned doom sound and added some really fun twists, turns and dynamics to push beyond that sound.

The debut album, Teeth To Sky is quite the eruption. Throughout the 8 songs and over 40 minutes of the album, the way it becomes immersive is quite the listening experience. There’s a ton of little nuances found throughout the songs that give Teeth To Sky the charm it has. Mixing doom with post metal, noise rock, ambient undertones and the twist… optimism. The addition of optimism in this style of music is quite interesting and part of the reason why it took me a minute to write this. I’ve been listening to this album for the past few weeks, eating up all the things I was looking for. As I kept listening especially listening with my really awesome headphones on, that’s when I started to figure out this album. There’s a reoccurring theme found on the album of how “one must take advantage of life” and in the times we are in, it’s pretty epic to find that in this style of music.

To describe each song and get into that would take away from the effect you’d have from listening on your own. The bludgeoning aggressiveness that is found throughout propels the album but, Teeth To Sky is more than that. This album is one of those that will grow on you as it did with me. I look forward to hearing more from Guiltless and seeing how they develop and evolve. These songs need to be played live and I would bet that the decibel levels will be astounding. Definitely give Guiltless and this crushing debut album a ton of listens. And if/when they arrive in your town, I’d go see them too!

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

By: Brian Lacy

Guiltless- Teeth To Sky: