Top 20 Albums of 2025 (Part One 20-11)

 Here we go, the second year that I have expanded from a top 10 to a Top 20 albums of the year. This is the first part, counting down from album 20 to 11.  These are the albums I listened to most. When you take into consideration the fact that I listened to over 900 albums this year, it's impressive for these albums to have endured the influx of new music that hit my inbox every morning and made me want to hear them again and again. Yes, this is the culmination of all the other lists done up to this point for other blogs and was refined down to this master list of all genres.; So here ya go...

20-Deadguy-"Near-Death Travel Services." 

30 years after Victory Records hardcore band Deadguy cemented their legendary status with their album "Fixation on Coworker ". The band is not just back to reaffirm their relevance; this album has the benefit of 2025 production value, so it sounds far better than the more metallic guitar sound they debuted with. This makes for an album that is heavier with the guitars, creating a more organic wall of sound. They hit you with a more fully realized onslaught. The vocals did retain their command, which has always been similar to Henry Rollins in their confrontational tone. Coming back stronger is what hardcore is about, and this album is the epitome. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/06/deadguy-near-death-travel-services.html

19-Alice Cooper -The Revenge of Alice Cooper." 

The first album with the original Alice Cooper band since "Muscle of Love".  Bob Ezrin is also producing it.  Does it perfectly capture the fire enough that it picks up where they left off on "Muscle of Love"? Almost, it is pretty energetic for a band in their mid-70s who have not played together since the 70s.  not at the level of his most classic work, but way better than other rockers close to his age are doing, it's closer to "Muscle of Love" than it is "Love it to Death" s it's not what I expected, but still congruent with what these guys used to do. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/07/alice-cooper-revenge-of-alice-cooper.html

18-Internal Bleeding- "Settle All Scores." 

For this band to have been around since the 90s, they are inspired and were ahead of their time.  Kids now call this Slam, but it's really just hardcore-influenced death metal. It's fair to say these guys are also big fans of Cannibal Corpse. After all, Cannibal Corpse, formed in Buffalo, three years before these guys. This is the first album to feature Sacrafical Slaughter vocalist Steve Worley, who sports a very commanding grunt and gurgle. His lyrics are growled in such a manner that, despite their brutality, you can still make them out. They shift into more traditonal metal riffs that provide enough dynamics to make most metal heads happy. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/09/internal-bleeding-settle-all-scores.html

 

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17-Blut Aus Nord - "Ethereal Horizons." 

The French Black Metal band's 16th album shows Blut Aus Nord never makes the same album twice, and they are embracing every side of the genre here while cloaking them all in their signature atmosphere. It is like listening to a smoke machine envelop a band rather than just seeing it on stage. Atmospheric black metal is being pushed in new directions, while the pained moaning of the clean vocals cuts through the thickness of sound, bringing' Mercyful Fate's earliest incarnations of black metal to mind. There is the needed cauldron of blast beats and tremolo-picked guitars needed to identify their blackened intent, but not sounding like everyone else in the process

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/10/blut-aus-nord-ethereal-horizons.html

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16-Scorpion Milk- "Slime of the Times

 Mat Mcnerney from Beastmilk is taking things in a more apocalyptic direction with this album. Joining him is the drummer from the Viagra Boys and Nate Newton from Converge on bass. The elements that differed from what I expected, due to the rough punk edges, grew on me, and it became an album I could just keep playing all afternoon. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/08/scorpion-milk-slime-of-times.html

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15-Callous Daoboys - "I Don't Want to See You In Heaven."

 

You are thrown into their bizarre progressive take on metalcore. While the screamed vocals are more dominant, Carson Pace's voice continues to grow. His poppy-sung vocals carry the need hooks to contrast the chaos. If there is any justice in the universe, these guys should be at least as big as Knocked Loose, just on the merits of songwriting.

  

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-callous-daoboy-i-dont-want-to-see.html

14-Lord Huron- "The Cosmic Selector Vol 1." 

This is the 5th album from this melancholy folk rock band, which employs a reflective atmosphere in its sound that feels honest in its soul-baring introspection. They're playing a more modern take on Americana, as the vocals gain more confidence in their narrative, thanks to the shuffling groove provided by the drums that keep them moving as country influences slide in. Pull out the bong for this album. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/07/lord-huron-cosmic-selector-vol-1.html

13-Author & Punisher - "Nocturnal Birding' 

This is the first album that finds guitarist Doug Sabolick joining as a bandmate, which contributes to the more rock feel to things. Every song has a bird theme. There is a more overt industrial crunch to the amazing stomp this album carries . Megan from Couch Slut, lends her voice to the ruckus erupting, with more detailed layers of melody luring you into one of the year's best industrial songs. The addition of guitar offers a big step forward, even if it moves them marginally closer to the conventions of industrial rock. The genre itself allows and fosters experimentation that creates almost an anything-goes attitude. This song and the previous song have been the noisiest so far, with this texture being most effective here.  

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/09/author-punisher-nocturnal-birding.html

12-Viagra Boys - "viagr aboys" 

The Swedish punk band wastes no time making this work them up into more of a frenzy despite the more melodic elements in the chaos that touch on a similar avant-garde pop style as Xiu Xiu.  They keep their hooky sarcasm cracking off lyrical observations in sharp humor that fuels the disco beats and punk sneer alike.   The topics that are subject to their lyrical scorn veer from the news to health care, with some country twang, and recalling some of the alt-rock classics of the '90s. Above all, it's all a non-conforming attitude that keeps this old school punk rock with the emphasis on rock. 

tps://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/04/viagra-boys-viagr-aboys.html

 

11-Rwake -"The Return of the Magik." 

The Arkansas-based band is back after 13 years. A more melodic expanse of sound brings elements of Southern rock to the forefront of the opening track as guitar solos cascade around it. Brittany Fugate's scathing vocals provide a counterpoint to the lower, ominous vocal tones of Chris Terry. They bring a menacing thunder with metallic riffing, as well as contrast it with really tasteful guitar work. They ripped the hardest when it came to sludge this year. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/02/rwake-return-of-magik.html

 

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The Top 40 Songs of 2025 (Part 3 : 20-11)

 

This is part three of the Top 40 songs of 2025. It's a list of the 40 catchiest songs that got the most airplay from me this year. These are the songs that I kept on repeat and got stuck in my head, which certainly factored in when ranking these albums in the big picture, only one artist on this list delivered an album that was underwhelming with the single as one of the only memorable songs on the album, but a great deal lies in how that was hyped leading up to the album's release. 

I have split this up into four more digestable play lists of 10 songs, each I think these songs all speak for themselves, so there is no need for me to wax poetic about what makes them great as their hooks will do that for them so take a listen and maybe these will be the melodies that haunt you when you get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night so lets continue into the top 20 songs of 2025.

20-Scorpion Milk- 'Will to Live.'

19-Noah Cyrus - "What's it all For." 

18-Taylor- Swift- "Eldest Daughter."

 

17-Lord Huron- "Bag of Bones."

16-Pixel Grip-"Stamina." 

 

 

 

15- Ethel Cain- "Fuck Me Eyes." 

14-Bush - "I Beat Loneliness." 

13-Viagra Boys- 'Bog Body

12-Street Sex- "Turn Blue." 

1-HAIM- "All Over Me." 

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The Top 10 Folk Albums of 2025

There is less country music on this list than in past years, though the influence lingers in many of these albums. 2025 finds neo-folk or the traditonal pagan music of northern Europe playing a much larger role, though not splitting the top ten down the middle, though all the albums are darker and more melancholy. These albums do not really give a damn about the Nashville status quo, even when it comes to the artists in the more commercial spotlight. These are not the coolest albums, but the best, fuck what other blogs say. 

 After I sort through the top 10 albums of all the respective genres, I use those lists to compile the top 20 albums of 2025 list. The very fact that these bands made it on the list speaks to how great these albums are, so it's not a slight that the number 8 album is above the 9th album; there is something that just gives it an edge that makes me want to listen to it more. After all, we can try to look cool and pick the hippest bands for a list, but at the end of the day, what makes an album the best is that it makes you want more, and you look forward to listening to it again. Perhaps you can find your next favorite on this list. I've included links to reviews of these albums if you want to check out the audio on these guys. Anyway, here are the top 10 folk albums of 2025

10-Greet - "I Know How to Die." 

The heart of the album si often the mournful-sounding folk chant of the vocals. There are also elements of country/ gospel music in the mix. It almost sounds like bagpipes. The vocal melody feels earnest enough to make this work amid the pulse that rings out. Matthew Broadley is weaving this all together. There is a more Appalachian feel that touches on the early Irish roots of things like bluegrass. Often droning, this abum feels like the soundtrack to an A24 movie.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/10/gothtober-greet-i-know-how-to-die.html

9-Marissa Nadler -"New Radiations." 

 Her 10th album finds Nadler stripping things down to a more minimalist yet cinematic feel. It feels spacious, yep, with an intimate yearning. Her vocals are produced in a similar reverb-heavy manner, but the layered harmonies feel more pronounced. It feels more like her earlier work than the past couple of albums in the overall sound. The kind f haunting ballads you want for Hot Ghost Summer. At times, the guitar takes things in a more folk direction with the pining twang of country ambiance coloring things with a longing ambiance.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/07/marisa-nadler-new-radiations.html

8-Jason Isbell- "Foxes in the Snow"

This might be his 10th album, but it's his first solo acoustic album. This brings a more stripped-down take on what he does without the 400 Unit or an accompaniment that shows his rock influence. Instead, what we are getting is his voice and guitar. There is minimal production; it just sounds like this cut in one take with a mic in a room. This is a novel concept in a world of auto-tune and dozens of producers/songwriters on just one song. Lyrically, there is the kind of depth you expect from him. The kind of solemn reflection that haunts "Southeastern" can be felt here. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/03/jason-isbell-foxes-in-snow.html

7-Bloodyhammers -"The Acoustic Halloween Special." 

They released this collection of brooding ballads for Halloween that dips into dark country. I prefer their more driving metal output; this works for what it is. It makes sense they would need to take a breather for the sake of their creative juices and make this album to explore this side of the melodic spectrum. It works for what they do and is better than most murder ballad crooned this year. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-is-doom-bloody-hammers.html

 

6-Chimehours -"Underneath the Earth." 

This British project blends a tense urgency with ethereeal melodies and a folky organic feel. The singer has a Björk feel to her emotive singing style. Her fragile folkish vocal haunts things like a higher-pitched Lana Del Rey at times. The darker elements are subtle, an eerie layer in the background. Some songs are more dynamic than others. The folk strum of guitars  draped in a fairytale ambiance

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/10/gothtober-chimehours-underneath-earth.html

 

6-Sowulo-"NIHT"

This Norwegian project respects ye olde days, while writing actual songs that go somewhere. Yes, there is a very ritualistic feel to what they do, but it has verses and choruses you remember. Also, a dark tension broods under some of the passages, so it is not surprising these artists are often metal adjacent in their fan base. They are named after an old Germanic name for the sun, which reflects some of the elder pagan ideology behind the concepts of this album.  

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/06/sowulo-niht.html

5-Allie -X- "Happiness is Goiung to Get You." 

There is a more nuanced style of pop songwriting that leans in a somewhat Lana Del Rey direction this time, with a 1950s California vibe. These more organic vibes increase as the album progresses into this folk direction, which might not be what you would expect considering her past releases. It's moody but not as dark as the last album. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/allie-x-happiness-is-going-to-get-you.html

 

4-Florence + the Machine-"Everybody Scream." 

A very brooding album with the centerpiece being the trembling vibrato of her rich alto is a key selling point, and she is capable of creating memorable hooks with it,t even though she wanders in a pondering circle much like Natalie Merchant at times. I can also hear the influence of the Cowboy Junkies lurking in the more organic moments, which grew on me with repeat listens. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/florence-machine-everybody-scream.html

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3-Wardruna- "Birna" 

Six albums into their career, Norway's primal folk bards are still bringing an increasingly cinematic conjuring of otherworldly eons past. It is weird how they are the biggest band making this kind of music. Also, even stranger is how they can headline festivals. It is very much a wintery sound as should be expected from the region where the music is being made. It feels like they are getting ready to be hit by the worst storm in over a hundred years and are invoking the ghosts of their ancestors

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/12/wardruna-birna.html

2-Noah Cyrus- "I Want My Loved Ones to Go With Me." 

Yep, this is Miley's sister. Regular readers here will know I am a fan of Miley, whom I talked about her before, saying she's never wanted her help or wanted to do anything similar to what Miley does, and you can hear that on this album. However, there is less of an indie feel on this one, with a more produced sound; however, she is not making pop country either. She has a good voice, but isn't a powerhouse like her sister. It is more melancholy and atmospheric than what Miley does. What they do have in common is that country music is just in their DNA. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/07/noah-cyrus-i-want-my-loved-ones-to-go.html

1-Lord Huron- "The Cosmic Selector Vol 1." 

This is the 5th album from this melancholy folk rock band, which employs a reflective atmosphere in its sound that feels honest in its soul-baring introspection. They're playing a more modern take on Americana, as the vocals gain more confidence in their narrative, thanks to the shuffling groove provided by the drums that keep them moving as country influences slide in . Pull out the bong for this album. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/07/lord-huron-cosmic-selector-vol-1.html

Thanks for reading. Please "like" and share on social media to give music a voice 

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Check out our Podcast here ... https://www.youtube.com/@abysmalhymns666

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July's Top 10 Albums

 

It's time for July's top 10 albums. Staying abreast of the month's highlights might help casual readers see what they missed and check these artists out. I am not writing little blurbs on them; I am just linking the reviews. Inclusion here does not mean that these albums have been released this month, but it is a list of new or upcoming albums I have enjoyed the most. I have albums in my inbox that are not coming out til August, so I am normally way ahead of the curve in this regard. They are ranked in order of what I have listened to the most. This month, there tends to be a dominant theme of post-punk, with some indie-folk and metalcore, so you may find your new favorite among them. Here are the Top 10 albums of July

10-ten56- "IO" 

Metal Core 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/07/ten56-io.html

9-Imaginary People - "Alibi" 

Indie Rock

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/07/imaginary-people-alibi.html

7-Edna Frau "Slow, be gentle, I am virgin"

Post-punk 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/07/edna-frau-slow-be-gentle-i-am-virgin.html

6-Scars on Broadway- "Addicted to Violence" 

Nu-metal 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/07/daron-malakian-and-scars-on-broadway.html

5-The Discussion - "All the Pretty Flowers" 

Post-punk

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-discussion-all-pretty-flowers.html

4-lowheaven- "Ritual Decay" 

Screamo 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/07/lowheaven-ritual-decay.html

3-Noah Cyrus - "I Want My Loved Ones to Go With Me" 

Alt-Country 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/07/noah-cyrus-i-want-my-loved-ones-to-go.html

2-Lord Huron -"The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1 "

Indie Folk 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/07/lord-huron-cosmic-selector-vol-1.html

1- Bush-I Beat Loneliness 

Grunge 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/07/bush-i-beat-loneliness.html

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Lord Huron : "the Cosmic Selector Vol. 1 "

This is the 5th album from this melancholy folk rock band, which employs a reflective atmosphere in their sound that feels honest in its soul-baring introspection. "Bag of Bones" highlights the fact that they are playing a more modern take on Americana, as the vocals gain more confidence in their narrative thanks to the shuffling groove provided by the drums that keep the song moving as country influence begins to slide in. Their pot smoking has now been referenced in two songs, so pull out the bong for this album. 

"Nothing I Need" is not far removed from what Jason Isbell does, which, considering Isbell stripped things down to just a guitar for his last album, scratches that itch. I prefer the darker, more introspective moments, and don't want things to get too happy. Thankfully, the momentum shifts for " Is There Anybody Out There?".  Lyrically, it makes me think of how I feel when I am depressed. It might be the album's best song. The pace picks up to flirt with an accessible style of post-punk not unlike what the National does for " Who Laughs Last," which Kristen Stewart lends her voice to.

"The Comedian" finds the guitar taking a more jazzy nuance. It has a graceful flow that highlights the wide range of dynamics this album employs. "Watch Me Go" highlights the fact that Tom Petty is a part of this band's musical DNA of influences. But it is not the big radio hit side of Petty that works better for my ears. Kazu from Blonde Redhead shows up for "Fire Eternal," which makes things sound more like Blonde Redhead. The ballad "It All Comes Back" took a second listen for it to catch me. It has a dreamier waltz. "Used to Know' moves with more purpose but is still a mellow indie rock shuffle. 

"Digging Up the Past" finds expansive, dreamier guitar tones painting the background with stunning reverb. His plaintive voice continues to fall in the right places, as he is not a powerhouse of a singer with a wide range, but serves the song with humility. There is more of a country flavor returning here. By the time the album ends with "Life is Strange," it feels more like a summary of what we have already heard from this album. I will give this album a 9.5, and see how it grows on me. If you want some country-tinged indie-folk that moves like rock music, light up a bowl and give this a spin. 

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