We are coming up to the halfway point of 2025 and I thought now would be a good time to do a Best Of 2025… So Far. In here you’ll find what I think are the best albums released so far as well as the best concerts I’ve seen all year!

Best Albums Of 2025… So Far: ALBUMS!!!!

01) Idle Heirs- Life Is Violence
This album is my absolute favorite of the year so far and I don’t think anything is going to over take it unless Nine Inch Nails puts out their new album this year. I love this album and everything it entails. The sheer rawness and atmospheric nature of it all as well as the devastating nature of it and how real it all comes to life.

02) Linkin Park- From Zero (Deluxe Edition)
From Zero is already a great album. It’s not the best thing this band has ever done (Meteora and A Thousand Suns take that prize) but, this album is phenomenal. And I’m being absolutely serious. When it came out towards the end of 2024 it left a lasting impression on me and now with the 3 additional songs added, it just takes it to a whole other level. It’s criminal how good this album is!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qr6-55oCrM&list=PLlqZM4covn1HF92FlF7W5nUI_Ixh2m3Rk

03) Guiltless- Teeth To Sky
This album is another that is still in rotation and I keep finding more and more to love about this record. As I mentioned in my album of the week feature, having a band play music like this but, flipping the script and making it optimistic instead of straight doom and gloom, really puts this album up high.

04) Spiritbox- Tsunami Sea
I’ve quite enjoyed this album. It’s a really well put together album with some really killer songs on it. It’s a really solid second album as well that is quite cohesive. I just recently went to see Spiritbox live and they are a really good live band and these songs definitely go harder than on album as one would expect. It’s going to be interesting to see and hear where they go next.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mfdx_C0pR6XdVKoGGoXHVRdQlvEVtjw0c

05) Coheed And Cambria- Vaxis III: The Father Of Make Believe
Coheed is back!!! Not that they went away, I mean it more in that after the past two albums which felt kind of long and more of a collection of songs, they are back with an “album” that really kicks ass. If you are a fan of albums such as In Keeping Secrets and Good Apollo Part IV, then you’ll really dig this one. It’s a really good album that has a great flow to it. And there also feels like a renewed sense of the band on this one too as the performances really are kicked up a few notches!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSckI-66MsI&list=OLAK5uy_kYxvSUMUzqSpw6MFitvmIBeXjFosoWKzI

06) Youth Code- Yours, With Malice
I’ve been a Youth Code fan for quite some time so, when it came time for this record to arrive, I was pretty stoked and it’s a banger! Though only an EP, Yours, With Malice doesn’t lose a beat with the punishing and menacing beats pulsating along with vocals that reflect the trying times and harsh reality of it all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soBBf9p6ihs&list=PLH22-xSMERQqIMClz-_xiQWZZ9yx0Kx1K

07) Tonguecutter- Minnow
When I first heard Tonguecutter’s Minnow, I thought I was in a time machine back to 1993 in a great way. This band and album have been a really cool surprise to hear in 2025. They make music that I’ve always loved and give it a bump in energy. Really look forward to more from Tonguecutter. They are one of those bands if the right people hear it will really resonate!

08) Black Map- Hex
I’ve been a fan since the first single dropped and Black Map keeps getting better! Hex is one hell of an album. It’s short, concise and very direct in its approach. Throughout the 9 songs and 32 minutes, you are taken on a ride of great riffs and rhythms along with soaring melodic vocals. I keep finding myself listening to this album as whole more so than picking songs. Give this one a good spin!!

09) SOM- Let The Light In
I remember seeing SOM open for Holy Fawn a couple years back and I was hooked from that point. Their new album, Let The Light In, is a tremendous album that really expands upon their already epic nature. I find myself listening to this a lot when I need something a bit more calming or relaxing as their post-metal sound reaches new heights.

10) Machinekit- Goddamn Vanity
This LA techno-punk band is awesome! The new album, Goddamn Vanity, strikes quite hard. It’s abrasive and quite powerful. The way this album gut punches you is superb. The aggressive nature of this album is harks back to late 80’s Ministry and Broken era Nine Inch Nails. Also, their live show is one of the most fun and energetic shows you can see!

BEST CONCERTS OF 2025… SO FAR:

01) Poison The Well, Glassjaw, Better Lovers at Hollywood Palladium
02) Snot at SoHo Santa Barabara
03) Helmet and Slomosa at The Regent Theater
04) Jerry Cantrell and Filter at Ventura Theater
05) Danzig and Down at Forum
06) Meshuggah, Cannibal Corpse & Carcass at Forum
07) Deftones at Forum
08) Spiritbox at Hollywood Palladium
09) Kerry King at Fonda Theater
10) All Cobalt/Audioeclectica shows!