Best of 2025: My Top 20 Favorite Metal albums

2025 was the year of J-metal for me. Most of my best of 2025 metal albums consists of Japanese metal bands from Ghost Cries to Schonberg who returned after a few years away because Naru was ill. 2025 was also the year when Noora of Battle Beast decided to leave the band and focus on her solo career, she wasn't able to do both. While I will miss Noora, I am excited that Marina La Torraca of Phantom Elite and Exit Eden is taken over as lead singer. Love Marina since the first Exit Eden album. 

01. Ghost Cries - Vrykolakas


02. Schonberg - Resurrection


03. Serenity in Murder - Timeless Reverie


04. Eleine - We Stand United EP


05. Liv Moon - The Land of Spirits


06. Onmyo-Za - Yasumi Gozen


07. Deathless Legacy - Damnatio Aeterna


08. Lacuna Coil - Sleepless Empire


09. Paradoxx - Iris-Iris


10. Hagane - Top of the Power


11. Battle Beast - Steelbound


12. First Contact - Peacemillion


13. Isiliel - Moonbow Rebellion


14. Ancient Bards - Artifex


15. Fathomless Skywalker - Anthems for the Resilient


16. Alicetopia - Haze of Scarlet


17. Sabaton - Legends


18. Zilqy - Vacant Throne


19. The Uncrowned - Run Through the Night


20. Neon Oni - Nihilism