The Best Metal Albums of 2025 (So Far) According to Metal Hammer, Kerrang! & Revolver a Year Already Full of Heavyweights.

We’re only a few months into 2025, and the metal world has already been blessed with albums that shake the ground, rip through boundaries, and redefine what heavy music can be. From shoegaze-inspired debuts to deathcore brutality and genre-bending anthems, three of the biggest names in metal journalism Metal Hammer, Kerrang!, and Revolver have spotlighted releases that every fan should have on their radar.

Here’s a breakdown of the best metal albums of 2025 so far, through the lens of the magazines shaping the conversation.

Metal Hammer: Diversity and Innovation in Heavy Music.

If there’s one thing Metal Hammer is known for, it’s shining a light on both the underground and the mainstream. Their early 2025 list reflects just that: bold debuts, seasoned bands pushing their limits, and sounds that go beyond traditional metal walls.

Love Is Noise – To Live In A Different Way
A debut already being hailed as one of the year’s best. Fusing shoegaze atmosphere with heavy riffs, Metal Hammer praised it as “the first truly great debut of 2025.” Emotional, immersive, and powerful.

Paleface Swiss – Cursed
Aggressive, relentless, and compared to a “deathcore Slipknot.” With a feral stage presence and crushing production, this album proves why Zurich’s heaviest export is now impossible to ignore.

Spiritbox – Tsunami Sea
A daring follow-up that blends metalcore, electronica, and pop without losing its emotional bite. Hammer describes Spiritbox’s latest work as a defining release that could cement their legacy.

Kerrang!: Emotion, Politics, and Raw Energy.

Kerrang! continues to push for stories as much as sounds, spotlighting albums with real-world weight and emotional depth. Their early 2025 focus leans into albums that cut beyond music and into lived experience.

Jinjer – Duél
A record forged from turmoil, resilience, and cultural identity. Released in February, Duél blends groove and progressive metal with narratives tied to Ukraine’s struggle and Tatiana Shmayluk’s unmatched vocals.

Deafheaven – Lonely People with Power
A return to black-metal roots while retaining Deafheaven’s trademark emotional layering. Kerrang! hails this as a resurgence an album where chaos and vulnerability walk hand in hand.

Revolver: Sleek, Modern, and Heavy-Hitting.

Known for stylish presentation and forward-thinking coverage, Revolver gravitates toward albums that feel both timeless and trend-setting. While they haven’t dropped a “best-of” roundup yet, their editorial focus makes it clear which releases stand out.

Spiritbox – Tsunami Sea
Its lush production, sharp songwriting, and genre-bending elements make it a Revolver-worthy favorite.

Arch Enemy – Blood Dynasty
Melodic death metal done with fire and precision. Blood Dynasty is heavy, polished, and destined to be one of the year’s essential listens.

Machine Head – Unatoned
A shorter, tighter, groove-driven release that shows Machine Head still has plenty of fight left. Expect this one to land high on many end-of-year lists.