the Top 10 Mainstream Metal Albums of 2025

Mainstream Metal is defined here as the middle of the road that does not lean too far in the direction of other genres sludge or black metal, which have their own lists. This year, I gave Thrash its own list, which has thinned the pack down to the more arena-packing strains of nu-metal and metal-core.   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 10 albums of 2025.

 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, and I have included links to reviews of these albums if you want to check out the audio on these guys. Anyway, here are the top 10 Mainstream Metal albums of 2025.

10-Slaughter to Prevail- "Grizzly."

This is the third album from the Russian band, who ironically fled to Orlando, due to the war, in which they seem to not support slaughtering to prevail. They find themselves sonically somewhere between metalcore and nu-metal with the sample-heavy production on this album. When they kick into a more nu-metal direction, they tap into a catchy Slipknot bounce

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/07/slaughter-to-prevail-grizzly.html

          

9-Dead Rabbits -"Redefined" 

This is a side project of Escape the Fate vocalist Craig Mabbitt. It leans into the twisted side of metal-core-influenced pop that bands like Pierce the Veil and Bad Omens dominate. You can throw Falling in Reverse in the pile of artists who share a similar style as the big-sounding glitch-driven pop rock, that is more aggressive in attitude than what the guitars are doing. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/04/dead-rabbits-redefined.html

 

8-Bleed -"s/t" 

This Texas band takes you back to the '90s in a weird, unexpected manner.  By unexpected, this does not mean I have not already seen the writing on the wall when it comes to nu-metal making a comeback. These guys just go about it differently. The flourishes of DJs spun, scratched ambiance at the edges of their throb point this band's sound in the direction of nu-metal. There is some darker tension to the grooves that the vocals coo over. The drummer is really slapping his kit as needed, and the electronic elements ebb and flow into their sound pretty seamlessly. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/04/bleed-st.html

7-Living Dead Girl-"Con$piracy" 

 Molly and company continue to perfect their ability to blend metalcore-edged riffs against bright pop-punk choruses to make almost every song on the album. Her screamed vocals dominate the verses as her more sugary pop voice comes to take the sting away on the chorus. Their down-tuned guitars contrast with the synth ambiance. Not one to repeat hooks, Molly creates a distinct difference in the choruses as they display more songwriting chops as a whole. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/09/living-dead-girl-conpiracy.html

 

6-Novelists- "CODA" 

The addition of vocalist Camille Contreras has elevated the band's profile, placing them in a higher tier of metalcore alongside artists like Spiritbox and Jinjer. Things get quirkier and help distance themselves from Spiritbox with a more frantic electronic chaos unfolding. It borders nu-metal and djent. Using the metal-core formula to build into screaming.  Predictable, but with shiny new pieces making the sounds for the puzzle. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/09/novelists-coda.html

 

5-ten56- "IO"

The sophomore full-length from ten56 finds them picking up where they left off.  They are still at the intersection where metal-core sprang from nu-metal in the days of Myspace. What I like about these guys is the dark undertones to their sound that hit no matter if they are bringing a more hammering stomp or going into the more Ghostemane-like rap dirges. There are interesting sounds wrapped around both modes of sonic attack. At times, sung vocals pop in, though they are bookended by experimental touches, and all of it is angry and in your face. 

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

4-Scars on Broadway- "Addicted to Violence." 

There is an almost punk feel at times, but it's punk in the same way that System of a Down was influenced by punk, which was most notably the influence of the Dead Kennedys. The grooves work well and lever lyrics that help seal the deal. It feels like he makes more social commentary than political statements like Serj. Most of these songs  would not be out of place on a System of a Down album, showing how much of the weight he was pulling when it came to songwriting in the band. 

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

3-Dying Wish- "Flesh Stays Together." 

This is the third album from Portland's metalcore mavericks, Dying Wish, is more melodic than expected. The buzz that this was a darker album caught my ear, and I like what they are doing. They are more on the hard-core side of the metal-core equation, even with the way Emma Boster employs sung vocals. It is done in a less formulaic manner than what Killswitch Engage is known for. There is also more emphasis on dishing out beatdowns during the breakdowns. It albumst made the hard-core lsit instread but the anthemic feel finds it here. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/09/dying-wish-flesh-stays-together.html

 

2-Soulfly-"Chama" 

There is a darker apocalyptic drive to this album, which I am also here for., along with a more industrial pound that is a mix of 'Roots' era Sepultura, though maybe less Korn in the grooves and more Code Orange. Defiant in-your-face bangers that include some melody and atmosphere that catches me by surprise, as  Gabriel Franco from Unto Others lends his voice in places, along with  Todd Jones from Nail, but at the end of the day, it is Ma who proves he was always hte most crucial songwriter in Sepultura. l

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/10/soulfly-chama.html

1--Spiritbox- "Tsunami Sea." 

It's the band's pop lean that helps separate them from their peers, as Courtney is better at vocal hooks than the singer for Jinger or Infected Rain, who work in similar sonic circles. She has continued to grow as a singer to further distance herself from her peers. Even with the pop hooks in play, the dynamics pack a heavy enough punch to have the metallic impact to take the top spot here. Their drummer has really stepped up on this album as he fills the spaces with interesting playing that they build off of. At the end of the day, it's the top-tier songwriting that wins out and places them at the top of not just a metal album but the overall musical landscape. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/03/spiritbox-tsunami-sea.html

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Living Dead Girl : "Con$piracy"

The title track that opens the album finds Molly and company continuing to perfect their ability to blend metalcore-edged riffs against bright pop-punk choruses to make almost every song on the album. By the second song, they have already locked into a formula with her screamed vocals dominating the verses as her more sugary pop voice comes to take the sting away on the chorus, though one thing I like with "Poison Me" is the kind of breakdown section that their down-tuned guitars contrast with synth ambiance. She is not repeating the hooks, so there is a distinct difference in the choruses of the first two songs despite them following a similar arrangement.,  

Since their last album "Exorcism: it is clear that touring is paying off as they have had experience having to stand up to the bands they have played with in terms of how heavy they are. Granted, with bands like Spiritbox and Jinjer gaining a great deal of popularity since their last release, the target audience is much more focused. They use Falling in Reverse as a stop to syncopate the improved riffing.> "Ugly" is one of the lead singles for the album; it carries a more manic guitar riff, with her vocals once again providing the honey to juxtapose it. There is a darker, sexier pulse to "Succubus" that gives it a groove to make it the best song so far. It also eviates from the formula the other songs worked off. 

"The Disease' works off more of a nu-metal cadance that her vocals propel. This has always been inherent to this kind of metalcore. Though the default is to the anthemic chorus vocal on this one. The breakdown riff to this one is pretty cool. "Eighteen" finds the dynamics shift to a darker '90s feel. Though the light comes back on brighter when it gets to the chorus. "Wild and Free" is in direct contrast to the previous song as it could almost be the soundtrack to an anime show. Poppy but well written. I also like the more deliberate stomp of "Unstoppable" that captures all the best sides of the band. The album closes with "Survival Mode". And Molly is given room to open up and sing, making it evident the work she has put in to improve her voice since the last album.  I will give this album a 9, as they have come together and tightened everything, as the hard work put into this album is evident and pays off for the band and fans alike. 

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The Top 10 Hard Rock Albums of 2021

These albums are not aggressive enough to be metal. They do have more balls to them than the ones on the rock list. Ok now that that is out of the way, much like in years past I sort through the genre lists before making the overall top ten of the year list. The fact these artists 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, you look forward to listening to it again. Sure, you can bitch and complain about your favorite band not being on the list. However, I listen to five new albums a day so yes, I heard your favorite album and was not impressed. No, I do not care what you think about it. I do hope you can find your next favorite on this list and have included links to reviews of these albums if you want to check out audio on these guys. Anyways here are the top 10 hard rock albums of 2020

10-Trillionaire- "Romulus" 

They are not too far out of the sonic spectrum of say the more prog latter days of Mastodon. The vocals are more ambitious. They fall somewhere between Pain of Salvation and Devin Townsend. There is some belted rock grit to them. Both ambitious and catchy

Abysmal Hymns: Trillonaire :" Romulus"

9-Living Dead Girl- "Exorcism" 

If you came here for the hot girl factor, make sure you stay for the music. Many bands use the sex to sell it, here that is not needed, and the eroticism is downplayed.  Perhaps it was a more gothed out New Years Day".; In some ways I was not totally off base, though it is heavier, more along the line of older In This Moment, when there was more of commercial metal core element to their Myspace fueled sound

Abysmal Hymns: Living Dead Girl : "Exorcism"

 

8- Unto Others - "Strength" 

Idle Hands by any other name. My first thought on the change is the vocals are more aggressive which plays to their advantage. There is less of an 80s metal vibe. Not that it is shed entirely as the second song has some Iron Maidenish harmony guitar parts. The goth side of the band sits more smoothly into what they do with more of a Misfts vibe, though vocally he is more like Graves than Danzig,

Abysmal Hymns: Gothtober - Unto Others : "Strength"

 7-A Pale Horse Named Death- "Infernum In Terra" 

I really liked their last album they released two years ago.  Up to this point I have appreciated it but did not really give enough of a listen to become a fan until the last one. There is less of the doom vibe that pervaded that album and more of an Alice In Chains flavored grunge vibe. Less rock n roll, and more intentionally darker harder rock that flirts with Hot Topic styled goth

Abysmal Hymns: A Pale Horse Named Death : 'Infernum In Terra"

 

6-Devil Electric - "Godless" 

This Australian band is back with more swagger and attitude. Less metallic in its intentions they have come to boogie down this time around. The use a more blues-based musing when venturing into the darker corners of their sound that owe more to the Doors this time around than Black Sabbath. When the songs give her the room to weave her youthfully belted alto into less obvious melodies that this band is at it's most powerful. 

Abysmal Hymns: Devil Electric : " Godless"

5-Black Label Society - "Doom Crew Inc" 

Wylde's legacy is more impressive than any band on this list.  however, this album shines most when he steps out from behind this and does something different. Not the heaviest album by the band, but one of the most dynamic which shows many sides of one of the best rock guitarists going today. 

Abysmal Hymns: Black Label Society :" Doom Crew Inc"

 

4-Haunt- "Beautiful Distraction" 

 These guys continue to grow into themselves. I am still stuck on wanting this to be Beastmaker instead, they have fine-tuned their hooks to make this a more radio friendly version of what this was in the 80s. The guitar harmonies are even more razor sharp, creating an almost power metal feel. Hooky proto metal that is a party just press play.  

 

Abysmal Hymns: Haunt : "Beautiful Distraction"

 

3-Tomahawk- " Tonic Immobility" 

If you have had a hard time keeping up with Mike Patton's side projects, then this one is the closest to Faith No More, though darker, heavier and with a rougher edge since he has the guitarist from the Jesus Lizard on board and Helmet's drummer.  This album is marked with an increased tension reminding me more of their first two albums. Patton's lower throaty whisper is one of the more reoccurring voices that pops up in his ever-shifting arsenal. The explosive dynamics owe more to the Jesus Lizard, as the lyrics are a collection of ugly metaphors which is another staple of Patton's work

Abysmal Hymns: Tomahawk : "Tonic Immobility"

   

  2-the Melvins - " Working With God" 

Some moments are more fun and games for them than others, finding the band doing just what you would expect them to do without being stale in the process. Buzz's voice sounds pretty good. The the chug to "Bouncing Rick" proves things are getting even more serious. The vocals are smoother, and the guitar heavier equates to everything I want from this band

Abysmal Hymns: the Melvins : "Working With God"

1- Quicksand- "Distant Populations" 

They pretty much pick up where they left off though not as aggressive. They do try to hit you with grooves that are just as solid. This album grew on me with each listen and has little in the way of filler. While, they might not have the urgency of youth in their veins, they are far more consistent and inspired than the majority of bands from the 90s are today.

Abysmal Hymns: Quicksand : " Distant Populations"

Living Dead Girl : "Exorcism"

 If you came here for the hot girl factor, make sure you stay for the music. While many bands of this sort use the sex to sell it, here that is not needed, and the eroticism is down played. I am not sure what I was expecting when I pressed play. Perhaps it was a more gothed out New Years Day".  In some ways I was not totally off base, though it is heavier, more along the line of older In This Moment, when there was more of commercial metal core element to their Myspace fueled sound.  Vocalist Molly Rennick, has more edge than sultry to her voice. She blends the contrasting vocal colors well. i prefer the darker groove on "Give Up"  over the more kinetic in your face attitude of the first two songs. That metallic energy is used as more of a dynamic than the fuel in the song's tank. The title track has some more sugar filled moments woven in that reminds me more of Poppy, in the way they contrast the heavy and get heavy like something from an anime theme song.

In This Moment is a more fitting comparison on " Dirty Liar" as their is an indsutrial strength anthem vibe to it. "Politergiest" finds them giving her more room to breath on the verses and employ a more melodic vocal color to increase the dynamic range of the album. The stacatto attack of the vocals on " Villian" gives it an almost rapped nu metal feel before the chorus comes in with a pop punk cheer, that might be too happy for my tastebuds. I had to listen to the album a second time before "Escape" really connected with me. It has a more buncing groove to it. The way the vocals soar out of this pretty much falls in with more bands that get airplai via satitllie stations .

"worship Me" well doesn't connect with me lyrically since I never take a submissive role, The song it self pounds you with the smae intensity they have already hit you with. I am more impressed with the more atmospheric and melodic direction they close the album with. I will round this up to an 8.5. While everything is executed perfectly, it is not the most original thing I have heard , though not deriivitive of one particular artist, it was a fun listen kinda like cotton candy, eat it at the circus but can not make it a part of my diet. if you are into more mainstream metal then it will be up your alley,