
MetalMatters: The Best Metal Albums of December 2025
In December’s best metal, Martröd tap into fiery black-metal dissonance, Lychgate expand extreme-metal, and Rotten Sound show their grind quality.

In December’s best metal, Martröd tap into fiery black-metal dissonance, Lychgate expand extreme-metal, and Rotten Sound show their grind quality.

In November’s best metal, Yellow Eyes are in their finest moment, Barren Path rise from the ashes of Gridlink, and Blut Aus Nord navigate dreamscapes.

In October’s best metal, Coroner are more relevant than ever, Hooded Menace embrace heavy metal traditionalism, and Evoken gaze into the darkness.

In September’s best metal, Paradise Lost remain a solid force, Gjendød honor the black metal heritage, and Igorrr continue their avant march.

In August’s best metal, Malthusian focus on death metal, Kayo Dot continue to wander through the cosmos, and Catharsis return in fierce fashion.

In July’s best metal, Dephosphorus look to the stars, Wytch Hazel’s heavy metal anachronism remains delightful, and Hell keep raging with drone/doom malice.

In June’s best metal, Cryptosy reconquer brutal death metal heights, Anfauglir’s symphonic black metal returns, and Hexvessel offer mystique and bleakness.

In May’s best metal albums, Pelican turn back the clock, Drouth ascend to black/death glory, and Obsidian Tongue relish the early Agalloch-ian teachings.

In April’s best metal, Ancient Death tread into otherworldly death metal, Behölder stand firm on heavy ground, and Messa look beyond the doom confinements.

In March’s best metal, Imperial Triumphant’s technical ecstasy continues, Rwake reinstate the magic, and Teitanblood rage their war against all.

In February’s best metal, Pissgrave produce laser-focus disgust, Retromorphosis dazzle with technical prowess and Sleep Paralysis blur the lines between genres.

In January’s best metal, Dax Riggs unexpectedly returns, Sacrifice’s thrash shows no signs of rust and Necromaniac invoke proto-death/black nightmares.