Top 10 Must-Listen Metal Albums of January 2025

Ben's top metal albums of january

Clouds - Desprins

Their 2021 release was one of my favorites of that year, so it thrilled me to see them put something out so soon. This is one of the more overlooked doom bands. There are probably a few reasons behind this, but for me, the prime suspect is that Clouds has always been a band that wants to experiment within this already niche subgenre. They introduce instruments you don't normally hear (going heavy on the flute for this album.)

Brandon: Clouds' sixth album, "Desprins," is a bleak, introspective journey into the darkness of human existence. The poetic lyrics explore themes of crushing disappointment, pain, and hollowness with raw honesty. His vocals, ranging from harrowing roars to soulful, brokenhearted singing, are a powerful force. The music perfectly complements the lyrics, with a dynamic interplay of delicate melodies and crushing heaviness. "Desprins" is a gripping and emotionally devastating listen.

And when your average tempo is like, 65 BPM, it's tough to have variety. But they pull it off, and have done so for many years. A strong addition to their catalog. FFO: Officium Triste, Shape of Despair, Funeral

Am I In Trouble? - Spectrum

This record very fiercely explores the nuances between progressive rock and black metal. Definitely hearing a lot of early prog rock influences like Yes or Steve Wilson. But I’m also hearing a lot of those early, Lo-Fi black metal acts that really spearheaded the first wave of traditional black metal all over this record. 

Brandon: Am I In Trouble?'s 'Spectrum' is a diverse and ambitious concept album, inspired by early 2000s avant-garde black metal. Each track, named after a color, explores distinct emotions and soundscapes. From pastoral folk to blistering black metal, Wiener masterfully blends genres, incorporating guest appearances from bandmates in Negative Bliss and Ashenheart. Highlights include the melancholic 'Pink,' the haunting 'Black,' and the hopeful 'Green.' 'Spectrum' is a bold and rewarding listen, pushing the boundaries of metal with its experimental spirit and diverse sonic palette.

This is a really cool act that kind of follows the path of thy catafalque, blending a lot of different influences from multiple genres, but never straying too far from the extreme metal roots. You might be in trouble if you don’t check this one out.

Plaguewielder (USA) - In Dust & Ash

One of metal's best kept secrets, man. This blackened sludge metal band from the USA grabbed my attention with their 2021 release, Covenant Death. This follow up is a focused blend of blackened doom/sludge that almost veers into that blackgaze sort of territory before violently shoving your head back into the gloom. 

Brandon: Plaguewielder's 'In Dust And Ash' blends post-black and sludge metal into a diverse and powerful sound. Clean playing contrasts with aggressive black metal vocals, while melodic guitar leads and atmospheric synths create an immersive vibe throughout. The production is highly professional too, and the lyrics focus on the forgotten working class. A very cool touch for this record. Fans of post-black and sludge metal will definitely appreciate this - a total gem in the underground.

I really enjoy the modern sensibilities here: between the stripped down songs, production characteristics, and overall vibe of the album, it really feels like I'm listening to a modern, blackened sludge record, which is a niche thing in its own right. In dust? In ash? Put this one in your ear holes.

Tremonti - The End Will Show Us How

Hard to deny that Mark Tremonti, former guitarist of Creed and Alterbridge, is one of the great American guitarists of our time. Regardless of how you feel about Creed, Human Clay was a monumental record and showcased how crazy good this one guitar player was. I applauded his decision to do his own thing. He's a great vocalist, to boot, adding a certain quirk to the band.

Brandon: Mark Tremonti's "The End Will Show Us How" showcases the continued brilliance of this guitar virtuoso. From heavy-hitting riffs to introspective melodies, Tremonti demonstrates his signature blend of power and finesse. While his consistency can sometimes border on predictability, his songwriting remains captivating. Tremonti's vocals have matured, adding another layer of depth to his music. Though not groundbreaking, "The End Will Show Us How" is a solid addition to his impressive discography, solidifying his status as a master of modern heavy rock.

There are some REALLY heavy sections on this record, contrasted with some very "radio friendly" spots that would fit nicely on your local radio station during rush hour. Highlight songs: One More Time, All the Wicked Things

Brandon’s Picks

Patriarkh – Prophet Ilja

Formerly known as Batushka - PATRIARKH's new album, "ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ" (Prophet Ilja), delves into the dark history of the Grzybowska Sect. Inspired by the life of Eliasz Klimowicz, an illiterate peasant who was a prophet and leader of the Orthodox Grzybowska Sect. This eight-part opus weaves Polish lyrics, liturgical chants, and theatrical elements into a captivating narrative. The record features a blend of black metal, folk, and symphonic elements, creating a unique and immersive soundscape.

Ben: Since their get-go, this Polish black metal act has been pushing the limits of theatrical metal, weaving narrative elements (that I can’t understand cuz I don’t speak Polish) with that majestic, folk inspired black metal. It’s a trope that is standing strong, and we welcome it with open arms. This is sure to end up on many end of the year lists.

The album boasts immaculate production, showcasing the intricate interplay of instruments and vocals. "ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ" is an ambitious and deeply moving journey into the heart of darkness, solidifying PATRIARKH's position as a leading force in modern black metal.

Mutagenic Host – The Diseased Machine

This excellent debut, "The Diseased Machine," is a relentless assault of death metal, showcasing the band's place at the forefront of the UK's "New Wave of British Death Metal." Influenced by 90s Florida death metal, the album blends brutality with groove and melody. Tracks like "Neurological Necrosis" and "Genestealer" showcase their technical prowess, while "The Twisted Helix" and "Artificial Harvest Of The Obscene" deliver crushing riffs and guttural vocals.

Ben: Death metal comes in a few distinct flavors these days: you've got that dissonant, cavernous style that relies heavily on reverb and atmosphere; you've got that melodic, Swedish variety; there's technical, brutal, slam. Mutagenic Host doesn't really fit into any of these, but where they do fit in, is that Floridian style of death metal. If you like bands like Monstrosity, Malevolent Creation, or Hate Eternal, this UK based death metal band will fit nicely in your rotation. You might also like OUR Floridian inspired death metal EP that is ALSO ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY… It’s called A Future Without Organic Lifeforms. Go check it out. It’s like, 12 minutes. You’ll love it.

The album explores themes of technological apocalypse and societal decay, with songs like "Organometallic Assimilation" and "Incomprehensible Methods Of Slaughter" delivering intense, chaotic energy. "The Diseased Machine" is a powerful and impressive debut that will leave a lasting impact.

Veil of Conspiracy – Shape of Grief

I love that we’re kicking off 2025 with our first GREAT melodic doom album. Hailing from Rome, Italy – there’s some serious sadness in the gloomy songwriting here on Shape of Grief. The record fearlessly explores the multifaceted nature of sorrow, delving into themes of personal loss, isolation, and despair. The lyrics paint a bleak picture, often employing imagery of shadows, darkness, and the vast, unforgiving sea to convey the depths of human emotional turmoil.

Ben: I'm usually for melodic death / doom right off the bat, but this band has a tendency to meander a bit more than I'm used to, sort of drawing in those funeral doom tropes more than I typically care for. I will say though - the album grew on me as I listened to it. There are a lot of layers here, both sonically and emotionally (especially with the vocal dynamics) that probably won't click the first, second, or maybe third time hearing it. Fans of the genre should put this on your watch list if you haven't already.

Feelings of emptiness and alienation are prevalent, reflecting the struggles of individuals grappling with grief and the inevitability of suffering. While offering little in terms of explicit hope, the lyrics acknowledge the importance of confronting and accepting one's pain as a crucial step towards healing. An absolute must listen for fans of Swallow the Sun, Daylight Dies, Draconian, or October Tide.

The Halo Effect – March of the Unheard

Dude Mikael Stanne has been on an absolute TEAR between all of his projects lately. I want whatever he’s having. Melodic death metal, in the 2020s has somehow reached an even higher maturity. While bands like Amon Amarth, Dark Tranquility, and (even) In Flames continue to refine their signature sounds, the genre's core elements are still getting refined. The Halo Effect’s sophomore album, "March of the Unheard," delivers exactly what fans expect: soaring melodies, crushing riffs, and Stanne's signature operatic vocals.

Ben: I never would’ve pegged melodic-death as still being relevant in 2025. Part of me thought death/metalcore were going to completely take over the scene and while they’re bigger than ever, melodic-death has concurrently grown as well, giving us staples from tons of different bands that spearheaded the genre in the 90’s. This is easily one of the most acclaimed albums of the 1st quarter - we’d be doing you a disservice if we didn’t put it on here.

Think "Days of the Lost" but dialed in further. "March of the Unheard" is a collection of expertly crafted melodic death metal tracks, with highlights like the catchy groove of "Between Directions" and the heavy hitters "Detonate" and the title track. While there's no radical reinvention, the album showcases the enduring power of this classic sound. The Halo Effect proves that even within the confines of a mature genre, there's still room for masterful execution.

Drown in Sulphur – Vengeance

Forgemates – I’ve been coming around on Deathcore, and this album hasn’t left my rotation. Drown in Sulphur's "Vengeance” delivers crushing deathcore with clear inspiration from Dimmu and even some melodic death metal. The album features very strong songwriting, with tracks like "Faithless" and "Vengeance" showcasing a potent blend of heavy riffs, melodic motifs, and punishing breakdowns. There’s a clear passion for melody here – and that REALLY helps elevate what typically makes many Deathcore bands fall into the “good but not great” category.

Ben: This is a wicked album that the elitists are going to love to hate on. It has a lot of those “new” breakdowns, with crazy digital effects and sound splicing. What’s memorable on this album are the more stripped down, heavy as fuck riffs that make up the majority of this album. Sure, there are some unique (bordering on undesirable) production tricks here - still, I enjoyed this record! And that album art is super fucking memorable.

If I had one small gripe to pick – the vocals could use a little bit more variety, but still very good nonetheless. Vengeance is a solid effort that showcases Drown in Sulphur's climb in the subgenre. Their blend of aggression and melody, coupled with a strong production, makes for an enjoyable and engaging listen for fans of deathcore with symphonic flourishes.

Listen to clips of the band by watching our video!!