You can find the Collective List as well as all our Best of 2025 content, including contributors’ individual lists and radio DJ shows here: CGCM’s Best of 2025 (Year in Review)
BEST OF 2025 – Dave Wood (Radio Host/Contributor) 
I’m Dave Wood, the other Diamond Dave! I host the Dave’s Hard Rock Radio show here on CGCM Rock Radio each and every Sunday evening starting at 8pm Eastern Standard time. Stop by and check it out sometime!
#10
DERAPS – Viva Rock & Roll
Comin’ in at #10 is Viva Rock & Roll from Deraps. It’s their follow-up to their 2022 self-titled debut album. “Viva Rock & Roll” is a hard rocking in your face rocker. I definitely get an early Van Halen vibe to this record. Guitar-driven melodies with outstanding vocal harmonies. Favourite tracks: “Last Fall” and “Blindside”.
#09 
THE HOT ONE TWO – Virtues
The Hot One Two are back again! I really enjoyed their 2023 album Superbia and this album is even better! It’s called Virtues. Not a complicated album, just good time, in-your-face rock and roll with an edge.
Favourite tracks: “Alive Again” and “Let The Good Times Roll”.
#08 
PERFECT PLAN – Heart of a Lion
Perfect Plan are back with Heart of a Lion. Love the use of keyboards on this album. Sometimes it can take an album up a notch and I think that’s what I’m feeling here. THIS is a good example of a new rock sound that I like. Clean crisp vocals and good ol’ melodic rock. It encourages my hopes that melodic rock is still out there, and in cases like this, actually thriving! Favourite tracks: “All Night” and “Turn Up Your Radio”.
Check out MetalMike71‘s full CGCM review here
#07 
ROBIN MCAULEY – Soulbound
Digging the new Robin McAuley album Soulbound. It feels like a continuation of his 2023 album Alive; and there’s nothing wrong with that. By now, if you know his name and body of work, you know what to expect on this album. And it delivers so well! “Crazy” is one of my favourite songs of the year! Favourite tracks: “Crazy” and “Wonder of the World”.
#06
DANKO JONES – Leo Rising
Man, this album rocks! Straight-up good time party time rock that punches you in the face. In a nice way of course. Sometimes that’s what you need. If you’re looking for unapologetic rock and roll that’s actually good. This is an album for you. Favourite tracks “Everyday Is Saturday Night” and “I Can’t Stop”.
#05 
ALICE COOPER – The Revenge of Alice Cooper
Ah Alice. Thank you! I’ve been a fan of Alice Cooper since sometime in the 70s. I didn’t like it all, but ya gotta give him credit … he keeps going and going. This particular album, The Revenge of Alice Cooper, a cool nod to the past, with members of his old Alice Cooper Band taking part. Even the late Glen Buxton appears on 2 songs. What I love about this album is the creepy feel you get on some of these songs. Very similar to the Alice Cooper creepiness I loved back then. It’s like a warm creepy hug from Uncle Alice that you didn’t know you needed.
Favourite tracks: “Black Mamba” and “Wild Ones”.
#04
MAMMOTH – The End
My goodness Wolfgang Van Halen impresses the hell out me, still. Mammoth is back with their third album. Once again, Wolfie does all the writing, plays all the instruments and sings all the vocals; and does a phenomenal job at it. Wolfie learned from the best, but is cutting his own path. What a future this kid has in front of him!
Favourite tracks: “All In Good Time” and “The Spell”.
#03
HEADSTONES – Burn All The Ships
The ‘Stones are back! No not Mick and Keith, or Fred and Barney; I’m talking Headstones! Canada’s hard rock punk crossover band since 1989 or thereabouts. As much as I love the band, and have seen them countless times in concert, they don’t get a pass instantly to the Top Ten. They earned it with this one. My favourite release from them in more than a decade! A nice mix of straight-up rock with a few calmer tunes as well. That diversity is one of the things I love about this band! Well done guys! Favourite tracks: “Daylight Lightning” and “Navigate”
#02 
CASSIDY PARIS – Bittersweet
Back in 2023 when Cassidy Paris released “New Sensation” it made #3 on my Top Ten for that year. In my review, I wrote that I was ready to line up for the next one. Well, here we are! I certainly didn’t have to wait too long as Cassidy is back to continue what she started! Cassidy shows she’s growing as an artist, I’d say she’s getting better for sure. Such a great voice on her. Female-fronted rock done right. Favourite tracks: “Getting Better” and “Is Anybody Out There” and “Stronger”.
#01
SAMANTHA FISH – Paper Doll
Samantha Fish‘s Grammy-nominated Paper Doll is my most listen to album this year. Absolutely love it! In my car player or on my phone THIS is what I’ve been groovin’ on this year so much. I like her style. Just groovy guitar-centric blues, and she’s got the vocals to back it up. I’d LOVE to see her live. I’d have her tour with Beth Hart. #takemymoney! I get that this album isn’t for everyone, but you like sassy guitar driven electric blues, this is an album for you. Favourite Tracks: “Can You Handle The Heat”, “I’m Done Runnin’” and “Lose You”.
