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 – Graham Spark (Writer/Contributor) 
“Vintage” may not quite cover it, but 2025 has thrown up some great music, and this music has not come from major label bands. It’s no spoiler to admit that my list contains some acts many may not have even heard of, but they’re every bit as good as stadium-selling bands.
This is where the heart of rock and metal lies, and that is why we should support them where possible.
Let’s dive in and see what the Best of 2025 had to offer:
#10 🇮🇩
TUMENGGUNG – Back on the Streets
Released back in January, it is a demonstration of this album’s quality that it has lasted so long on my list.
Indonesia is hardly a hotbed of rock and metal, but this album could well change all that.
Is it straight-up metal? Is it power metal? I don’t know; what I do know is that it’s got great melodies, big vocals and quality solos. Top stuff.
#09
AIRFORCE – Acts of Madness
A strong metal album with all the required ingredients of riffage, solos and great vocals.
Despite only releasing three albums in 9 years, you could say they aren’t prolific, but you could also say
it’s worth the wait.
#08 
READY TO STRIKE – First Bite
This was a real surprise for me, but I’m so glad I took the plunge.
Often sleazier than Epstein Island and rockier than Donald Trump’s marriage, this album delivers big style.
Solos aren’t often that prominent in this type of rock, but there is a lot of exquisite playing, which is an absolute joy.
Having said that, steer clear of the first track; it does not fit with the rest of the album.
#07 🇦🇹
VENATOR – Psychodrome
Traditional hard-hitting metal from Austria, Venator hit you right between the eyes.
No prisoners taken and they make no apologies.
A headbanger’s wet dream.
#06 
AMBUSH – Evil In All Dimensions
Holy moly, this is a ball-kicker in all directions.
A classic era Helloween-inspired vibe, this grabs you by the short and curlies and refuses to let go.
Power metal at its best.
#05
TIME RIFT – In Flight
This is a great heavy rock album with heavy blues sensibilities.
Beautiful vocals from Domino Monet (great name) bring depth and power and add to that the awesome guitaring of Justin Kaye, you have a winner on your hands.
Think Cherokee or light Lucifer without the vampires.
#04
AQUILLA – Sentinels of New Dawn
More power metal here, but more in the vein of Dragonforce.
Modern, powerful, and lyric-laden, this album is my power metal choice of 2025.
#03
SAVAGE MASTER – Dark & Dangerous
You may not like the image, which can come over as a bit creepy, but you cannot deny that these guys can play.
Entertaining NWOTHM with piercing vocals, riffs aplenty and solos that cut straight through your brain.
They keep delivering, and long may it continue.
#02
SEVEN SISTERS – Shadow of a Fallen Star Part II
One day, just one day, I hope Seven Sisters get their just desserts.
Album after album, their quality never dips. Maybe their subject matter – usually fantasy – puts people off, but the song structures, the musicianship, are so captivating they’re hard to ignore.
This is a superb album, but so are all the others they’ve done.
#01
THE DARKNESS – Dreams On Toast
The band that refuses to give up serving us world-class, top-rated fun and clever rock tracks are up to their old tricks once again.
But it’s not your run-of-the-mill Darkness album (is there such a thing?). This is full of balls-out rock, country, and everything in between. Try explaining “Weekend in Rome”, and you may just sum up the whole Darkness experience.
Check out my full CGCM review here
Keep rockin’ into 2026 and beyond!
Check out my other articles and reviews here. Sparky
