 | Blog author: Alex Stojanovic The end of the year. That bittersweet time of the year where we reflect on all the great music that came out during the year and all the personal memories we experienced throughout the year. While that may be the sweet part, the no-so-sweet part is realizing that the year feels like it just started three months ago, and we're already at the end of it. Not only that, but we're already halfway through the 2020s. |
Some of the big events that happened this year include the Back To The Beginning concert, where the original four members of Black Sabbath got together for the last time for a final performance, along with performances from an array of the biggest bands of all time, like Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Alice In Chains, Anthrax, Lamb Of God, Tool and many others. It also truly turned out to be Ozzy's farewell to the world before he sadly passed just two weeks after the show. Soundgarden were also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee also announced that they would be going back out on tour in 2026 to celebrate Rush's music and Neil Peart's legacy, with Anika Nilles performing drums on the tour. People should not mistake this as the new Rush because it's merely a celebration and not a brand new lineup that will continue to make new records.
As per usual, let's take a moment to pay homage to all the talents, both musical and non-musical, that we unfortunately lost this year. It goes without saying that a couple of the most notable losses this year were undoubtedly Ozzy and Ace Frehley, but other notable losses include John Sykes, Coburn Pharr, Les Binks, Sly Stone, Brian Wilson, Brian Montana, David Lynch, Marianne Faithful, Rick Derringer, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Gene Hackman, Pope Francis, Ted Kotcheff, Joan Plowright, Graham Greene, Brent Hinds, Julian McMahon, Rob and Michele Reiner and Sam Rivers just to name a few.
This year, much like 2023, didn't feature a whole lot of music that grabbed and shook me at my core and made me feel was worthy of being on my Top 10. As a result, I'm putting together a Top 8 for this year. Here's to hoping that 2026 will feature many more records that will shake me much like in years past.
As per usual, let's take a moment to pay homage to all the talents, both musical and non-musical, that we unfortunately lost this year. It goes without saying that a couple of the most notable losses this year were undoubtedly Ozzy and Ace Frehley, but other notable losses include John Sykes, Coburn Pharr, Les Binks, Sly Stone, Brian Wilson, Brian Montana, David Lynch, Marianne Faithful, Rick Derringer, Val Kilmer, George Foreman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Gene Hackman, Pope Francis, Ted Kotcheff, Joan Plowright, Graham Greene, Brent Hinds, Julian McMahon, Rob and Michele Reiner and Sam Rivers just to name a few.
This year, much like 2023, didn't feature a whole lot of music that grabbed and shook me at my core and made me feel was worthy of being on my Top 10. As a result, I'm putting together a Top 8 for this year. Here's to hoping that 2026 will feature many more records that will shake me much like in years past.
08. WARBRINGER - Wrath & Ruin
Released: March 14, 2025
Label: Napalm Records
Continuing the streak of quality albums, Warbringer have once again delivered all the goods and then some on their seventh album Wrath & Ruin. With Mark Lewis handling the controls for this release, Warbringer have delivered on what is their best produced album to date with a much sharper and punchier production. Known for touching on historic events within their lyrics, we see Warbringer include some modern relevance, like the vision we all share with John Kevill on the world being a perfect place, but knowing that it's not possible, which can be heard on "A Better World". However, there's also burners like "The Sword & The Cross" (best track on the record), "Neuromancer", "Through A Glass, Darkly", and "The Last Of My Kind", all of which feature Warbringer at their finest to date.
Released: March 14, 2025
Label: Napalm Records
Continuing the streak of quality albums, Warbringer have once again delivered all the goods and then some on their seventh album Wrath & Ruin. With Mark Lewis handling the controls for this release, Warbringer have delivered on what is their best produced album to date with a much sharper and punchier production. Known for touching on historic events within their lyrics, we see Warbringer include some modern relevance, like the vision we all share with John Kevill on the world being a perfect place, but knowing that it's not possible, which can be heard on "A Better World". However, there's also burners like "The Sword & The Cross" (best track on the record), "Neuromancer", "Through A Glass, Darkly", and "The Last Of My Kind", all of which feature Warbringer at their finest to date.
07. THE HALO EFFECT - March Of The Unheard
Released: January 10, 2025
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
The word "supergroup" is something we tend to see a lot these days with a lot of bands, and many tend to be short-lived projects or mainly recording projects that may either never do a live show, or an occasional show once in a blue moon. However, there are very few supergroups that become legitimate standalone bands and make a name for themselves. One of those is The Halo Effect, the band featuring all former members of In Flames. After releasing their strong debut album Days Of The Lost in 2022, and doing a few tours around the planet as both a support act and a headliner, it was clear that this was a band that was going to have some pretty real legs, and a follow-up album presented itself this year with March Of The Unheard, which continues where Days Of The Lost left off. Even if it's just another standard melodic death metal album, there's plenty to enjoy here, especially if you are a fan of In Flames' prime era.
Released: January 10, 2025
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
The word "supergroup" is something we tend to see a lot these days with a lot of bands, and many tend to be short-lived projects or mainly recording projects that may either never do a live show, or an occasional show once in a blue moon. However, there are very few supergroups that become legitimate standalone bands and make a name for themselves. One of those is The Halo Effect, the band featuring all former members of In Flames. After releasing their strong debut album Days Of The Lost in 2022, and doing a few tours around the planet as both a support act and a headliner, it was clear that this was a band that was going to have some pretty real legs, and a follow-up album presented itself this year with March Of The Unheard, which continues where Days Of The Lost left off. Even if it's just another standard melodic death metal album, there's plenty to enjoy here, especially if you are a fan of In Flames' prime era.
06. W.E.T. - Apex
Released: March 28, 2025
Label: Frontiers Music srl
The potent vocal duo of Erik Martensson and Jeff Scott Soto in W.E.T. has been a winning combination since their debut album in 2009. 5 studio albums later, as they put out their fifth this year with Apex, they remain one of the top recording supergroups going. Big hooks, big melodies, big choruses and big riffs all come together to make a tasty collection of songs that desire repeated listens that you will be making a tally chart to keep track of how many times you replayed each song. For proof, just listen to "This House Is On Fire", "Love Conquers All", "Breaking Up" and "Where Are The Heroes Now".
Released: March 28, 2025
Label: Frontiers Music srl
The potent vocal duo of Erik Martensson and Jeff Scott Soto in W.E.T. has been a winning combination since their debut album in 2009. 5 studio albums later, as they put out their fifth this year with Apex, they remain one of the top recording supergroups going. Big hooks, big melodies, big choruses and big riffs all come together to make a tasty collection of songs that desire repeated listens that you will be making a tally chart to keep track of how many times you replayed each song. For proof, just listen to "This House Is On Fire", "Love Conquers All", "Breaking Up" and "Where Are The Heroes Now".
05. SABATON - Legends
Released: October 17, 2025
Label: Better Noise Music
Three years after the last history lesson, which was a second one regarding World War I with The War To End All Wars, metal's favourite history professors in Sabaton return with a new subject touching on a variety of prominent favourite figures and historical events on the aptly titled new album Legends. Let's be honest, would you rather learn about history by reading through the textbooks, or listening to metal? It's obvious. In pure Sabaton fashion, they bring to musical life the stories of legendary figures like Joan Of Arc, the Knights Templar, Vlad The Impaler, Napoleon and Julius Caeser. With songs like "Templars", "Hordes Of Khan", "Crossing The Rubicon", "I, Emperor" and "Impaler", we get the most exciting history lesson on all these historic figures. Another great metal history class!
Released: October 17, 2025
Label: Better Noise Music
Three years after the last history lesson, which was a second one regarding World War I with The War To End All Wars, metal's favourite history professors in Sabaton return with a new subject touching on a variety of prominent favourite figures and historical events on the aptly titled new album Legends. Let's be honest, would you rather learn about history by reading through the textbooks, or listening to metal? It's obvious. In pure Sabaton fashion, they bring to musical life the stories of legendary figures like Joan Of Arc, the Knights Templar, Vlad The Impaler, Napoleon and Julius Caeser. With songs like "Templars", "Hordes Of Khan", "Crossing The Rubicon", "I, Emperor" and "Impaler", we get the most exciting history lesson on all these historic figures. Another great metal history class!
04. THREE DAYS GRACE - Alienation
Released: August 22, 2025
Label: RCA Records
It goes without saying that this past year was a major one for Three Days Grace and the fans, mainly because of the return of Adam Gontier after more than 10 years, with Matt Walst remaining in place, making the band a quintet. With Adam returning fully to the band, the fans that sat out the band's albums released with Matt on vocals were going to be turning out in droves, and did they ever, because their new album Alienation is the band's finest offering since One X. Combining the best elements from both singers' respective eras, it offers something for everyone. We get the rockers and heavy crunchers and more emotional ballads, with some songs even giving little subtle nods to some of the band's classic songs. If you were to tell me in 2006 when One X came out that Adam was going to leave the band in 2013, and then come back in 2024 and share vocal duties with his successor, I would've called you batshit crazy, but here we are with just that, and it's undoubtedly the best version of Three Days Grace the world's ever seen. Alienation is so deserving of the Rock Album Of The Year title.
Released: August 22, 2025
Label: RCA Records
It goes without saying that this past year was a major one for Three Days Grace and the fans, mainly because of the return of Adam Gontier after more than 10 years, with Matt Walst remaining in place, making the band a quintet. With Adam returning fully to the band, the fans that sat out the band's albums released with Matt on vocals were going to be turning out in droves, and did they ever, because their new album Alienation is the band's finest offering since One X. Combining the best elements from both singers' respective eras, it offers something for everyone. We get the rockers and heavy crunchers and more emotional ballads, with some songs even giving little subtle nods to some of the band's classic songs. If you were to tell me in 2006 when One X came out that Adam was going to leave the band in 2013, and then come back in 2024 and share vocal duties with his successor, I would've called you batshit crazy, but here we are with just that, and it's undoubtedly the best version of Three Days Grace the world's ever seen. Alienation is so deserving of the Rock Album Of The Year title.
03. TRIVIUM - Struck Dead
Released: October 31, 2025
Label: Roadrunner Records
For the first time in history, we've gotten a 4-year gap between new music from Trivium. On top of celebrating the past with the 20th anniversary of Ascendancy and touring with Bullet For My Valentine on the Poisoned Ascendancy Tour, the band are also looking towards the future, and they released their first taste of new music since In The Court Of The Dragon in 2021 with the 3-song EP Struck Dead. The EP will serve as an appetizer for what will be the band's eleventh studio album, which can be expected in late 2026 or early 2027, according to the band. Struck Dead has all the ingredients that defined the last 8 years of the band's recording history all compacted in 3 songs, and is a great indication of what to expect next. The departure of Alex Bent leading up to the EP's release was unexpected, but with that being said, this was a great swansong for what was a memorable era in Trivium's history as another one opens.
Released: October 31, 2025
Label: Roadrunner Records
For the first time in history, we've gotten a 4-year gap between new music from Trivium. On top of celebrating the past with the 20th anniversary of Ascendancy and touring with Bullet For My Valentine on the Poisoned Ascendancy Tour, the band are also looking towards the future, and they released their first taste of new music since In The Court Of The Dragon in 2021 with the 3-song EP Struck Dead. The EP will serve as an appetizer for what will be the band's eleventh studio album, which can be expected in late 2026 or early 2027, according to the band. Struck Dead has all the ingredients that defined the last 8 years of the band's recording history all compacted in 3 songs, and is a great indication of what to expect next. The departure of Alex Bent leading up to the EP's release was unexpected, but with that being said, this was a great swansong for what was a memorable era in Trivium's history as another one opens.
02. MACHINE HEAD - Unatoned
Released: April 25, 2025
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
After the polarizing release of Catharsis in 2018, the lineup changes and the pandemic, Machine Head came swinging back harder than ever in 2022 with their finest album since Unto The Locust, that is Of Kingdom & Crown. With an overwhelmingly positive reception to that record, the band seem to have finally hit their stride after many records, and that stride continued on the band's new album Unatoned. The focus on this album was shorter songs, which are more direct-to-the-point rather than overexplaining to get the point across. With the longest song on this album reaching just over 5 minutes, each song has a nice flow and doesn't drag on for too long. I know that certain fans of some of the band's big epics from The Blackening and Unto The Locust might not be into the shorter running songs, but what people need to understand is that shorter songs tend to hit as hard as the long epics.
Released: April 25, 2025
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
After the polarizing release of Catharsis in 2018, the lineup changes and the pandemic, Machine Head came swinging back harder than ever in 2022 with their finest album since Unto The Locust, that is Of Kingdom & Crown. With an overwhelmingly positive reception to that record, the band seem to have finally hit their stride after many records, and that stride continued on the band's new album Unatoned. The focus on this album was shorter songs, which are more direct-to-the-point rather than overexplaining to get the point across. With the longest song on this album reaching just over 5 minutes, each song has a nice flow and doesn't drag on for too long. I know that certain fans of some of the band's big epics from The Blackening and Unto The Locust might not be into the shorter running songs, but what people need to understand is that shorter songs tend to hit as hard as the long epics.
01. TESTAMENT - Para Bellum
Released: October 10, 2025
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Long before it was even released, or even announced, I had a strong feeling that Testament were going to take a high position on my list with their eleventh studio album, because they always do. Now, it's not because they're my favourite band of all time, but simply because the material they manage to create is just that good. If there was another band that I felt released a stronger album, I would've put that band's album higher. Even though we ended up having to wait five years for a new album since Titans Of Creation, the wait was more than worth it, as it always is with the Bay Area thrash masters. While it doesn't surpass the quality of Dark Roots Of Earth, the eclecticism is on even greater display here than it was on Titans Of Creation. Combining thrash with the extreme elements from black metal on songs like "For The Love Of Pain", "Infanticide A.I." and "Witch Hunt" to the orchestral elements on the amazing ballad "Meant To Be", Testament show their hunger to push the boundaries even further, and the fact that they are still churning out material this strong at this point in their career, it's proof that the masters still have what it takes and are still schooling the young blood on how it's really done, and it definitely has a lot to do with Chris Dovas, who is only 27, for kicking the band into high gear. I'm ready for the next album.
Released: October 10, 2025
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Long before it was even released, or even announced, I had a strong feeling that Testament were going to take a high position on my list with their eleventh studio album, because they always do. Now, it's not because they're my favourite band of all time, but simply because the material they manage to create is just that good. If there was another band that I felt released a stronger album, I would've put that band's album higher. Even though we ended up having to wait five years for a new album since Titans Of Creation, the wait was more than worth it, as it always is with the Bay Area thrash masters. While it doesn't surpass the quality of Dark Roots Of Earth, the eclecticism is on even greater display here than it was on Titans Of Creation. Combining thrash with the extreme elements from black metal on songs like "For The Love Of Pain", "Infanticide A.I." and "Witch Hunt" to the orchestral elements on the amazing ballad "Meant To Be", Testament show their hunger to push the boundaries even further, and the fact that they are still churning out material this strong at this point in their career, it's proof that the masters still have what it takes and are still schooling the young blood on how it's really done, and it definitely has a lot to do with Chris Dovas, who is only 27, for kicking the band into high gear. I'm ready for the next album.
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