ANOINTING THE SICK ~ Top 20 Releases in 2025

 

It's such a difficult task somehow choosing 20 exceptional albums from a vintage year of incredible extreme underground metal releases. I had a shortlist but the albums I chose could have filled a dozen 'Best of 2025' lists, so I had to be extra disciplined. Stoner in it's various forms dominated my most played but doom and sludge featured regularly also. The scene was saturated with some excellent new death metal albums and my podcast show has played a lot of tech death, however I've come up with three that, although not reinventing the wheel, once I'd finished playing their albums, I felt pretty satisfied with what the bands had acheived.

I'm happy with the top 20 I've ended up with and I hope there is something in here that helps you  discover a gem you may have missed.

CRIMSON STORM ~ Livin' on the Bad Side

https://crimsonstorm.bandcamp.com/album/livin-on-the-bad-side

SWEETBEAST ~ Illusions

https://sweetbeastrock.bandcamp.com/album/illusions

KLASTOS ~ Born to Ruin

https://klastosklastos.bandcamp.com/album/born-to-ruin

KIRITSIS ~ Kiritsis

https://kiritsis.bandcamp.com/album/kiritsis

BURDEN OF DESPAIR ~ Confutatis

https://burdenofdespair.bandcamp.com/album/confutatis

 Behölder ~  In The Temple Of The Tyrant

https://beholderdoom.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-temple-of-the-tyrant

BIRDWITCH ~ bless the spark that found its home

https://birdwitch.bandcamp.com/album/bless-the-spark-that-found-its-home

THE CHRIS ROLLING SQUAD ~ Damn You All To...Hell

https://chrisrolling.bandcamp.com/album/damn-you-all-to-hell

AFGHAN HAZE ~ Sermons of Filth and Disgust

https://afghanhaze.bandcamp.com/album/sermons-of-filth-and-disgust

HIBERNAUT ~ Obsidian Eye

https://hibernaut.bandcamp.com/album/obsidian-eye

Heidrún ~ Entropía

https://heidrunmx.bandcamp.com/album/entrop-a

BIRDS OF NAZCA ~ Pangaea

https://birdsofnazca.bandcamp.com/album/pangaea

BLACK CHARGER ~ Small Town

https://blackcharger.bandcamp.com/album/small-town

PALE HORSE RITUAL ~ Diabolic Formation

https://palehorseritual.bandcamp.com/album/diabolic-formation

DARAH ~ Holier Than Thou

https://underground-syndicate.bandcamp.com/album/darah-holier-than-thou

TRIA PRIMA ~ The Mortificatio

https://triaprimaua.bandcamp.com/album/the-mortificatio

THE BATELEURS - A Light In The Darkness

https://thebateleurs.bandcamp.com/album/a-light-in-the-darkness

TURTLE SKULL ~ Being Here

https://turtleskullmusic.bandcamp.com/album/being-here

CRYPTIC PROCESS ~ Gulps

https://crypticprocess.bandcamp.com/album/gulps-5

AZELL ~ Astralis

https://azellrr.bandcamp.com/album/astralis

You can download and check each band out here

BIRDS OF NAZCA ~ Pangaea ( 2025 )

Bolstered by a punishing mix of colossal stoner doom, 'Pangaea' by French guitar / drum duo Birds Of Nazca is a sonic soundbite of tectonic plates crunching into one another. Punishing drums and moist, Doom riffs, sodden with fuzz forms the basis of what is possibly the band's heaviest album to date. 

A lack of vocals is something that would normally put me off listening to an album but there are so many variations of sound and tempo within  Pangaea that it took me a while to notice and by then I was completely sold on it. I love the contrast between the density of doom, the grooviness of stoner rock and the interludes of cosmic, almost Krautish psych.

Pangaea is an interstellar journey between genres, abundant with incident and wonder, I was totally captivated by it.

AFGHAN HAZE ~ Sermons of Filth and Disgust (2025)

With riffs like an open wound, comprised of corpulent sinews of glutinous sludge and mutated, psychotic stoner, Sermons of Filth and Disgust by Afghan Haze is their most malevolent and heaviest album yet. Sermons of Filth and Disgust is far from being a modern sounding album, instead it harkens back to one of my favourite era's of sludge where bands such as Sourvein ruled the roost. There is a rawness to the sound but that doesn't detract from the enormity of the doom ladled onto the cacophony of malign grooves infecting each track on an album which pulsates like a diseased heartbeat.

HIBERNAUT ~ Obsidian Eye (2025)

 BIO

Hibernaut is a heavy hybrid of doom, stoner, and sludge metal hailing from Salt Lake City, Utah. The band formed in 2021 when guitarist/vocalist Dave Jones (Subrosa, Dwellers, Oxcross) and drummer Zach Hatsis (Subrosa, Dwellers) reconnected creatively after years of collaboration. Joined by bassist Josh Dupree and, later, lead guitarist Matt Miller (Thunderfist, Oldtimer),

Their 2023 debut album Ingress was recorded with producer Andy Patterson and landed at #15 on The Doom Charts, with tracks like “Lantern Eyed” and “Spherical” praised for their crushing weight and psychedelic depth. Now, the band is set to release their second full-length record, Obsidian Eye, on July 11, 2025—an even darker, more expansive chapter in the Hibernaut saga. With a growing live presence and deep roots in the underground, Hibernaut continues to evolve, building a reputation as one of the West’s most promising heavy bands.

For fans of: High On Fire, YOB, Mastodon, SLEEP, Neurosis

FFO: Doom metal, Sludge, Stoner rock, Psychedelic heaviness

Review

A momentary howl of granular feedback with the subsequent shock wave of hulking doom sets the tone for one of the highlights of the stoner / doom scene so far this year. An added outpouring of aural molten sludge straight to the brain would likely induce a catatonic state if it wasn't for the remarkable increases in tempo of the tracks 'Pestiferous' 'Obsidian Eye' and 'Revenants' adding an element of spite to the sound particularly when solos pierce the leaden grooves spiked with vitriol rather than reverb.

I do love this genre but after many years of listening to and reviewing it, I often feel it's like slipping on a well worn pair of comfortable slippers but the record 'Obsidian Eye' has an edge to it. Fuzz has been largely stripped away leaving each track sounding fresh, hungry and engorged with immense power and heaviness. 

A richly deserved #7 in July's Doom Charts

BURDEN OF DESPAIR ~ Confutatis (2025)

Well, if I didn't know I had a brain, I do now because its just seeped out of my ears halfway through 'Confutatis' the debut full length from Japanese band Burden Of Despair. This is doom/sludge/death of the highest and unbelievably heaviest calibre. 

I love the fact that Japanese doom often mixes hints of stoner and psychedelia within its dirges but with 'Confutatis' Burden Of Despair has swept away any hint of branching out into slightly calmer aural pastures. Calamitous riffs of Uranium groove dominate your senses from the funereal lament of the opening track 'Slaughterfaith' all the way through to the deathlike hardcore tinged stomp of the final song 'Godforsaken.'. The unstoppable doom death dissonance ripping right through the blackened heart of 'Confutatis' adds chaos to the burgeoning mix and a menacing vocal delivery heightens the sense of foreboding.

An absolutely pulverizing release. An Event Horizon. The point of no return.

Behölder ~ In the Temple of the Tyrant (2025)

 BIO 

Behölder was formed in late 2021 by guitarist Carlos Alvarez (Shadowdance, ex-Power Theory), a lifelong fan of both D&D and old-school doom metal. It seemed only natural for him to fulfill his long-standing vision of bringing the two worlds together musically, but opportunity was ever elusive. When inspiration and timing aligned as his former band went on hiatus, he quickly composed nine songs. However, the project truly came to life when vocalist John Yelland of US power metal band Judicator joined in late 2022. With a powerful and theatrical voice, ranging from grandiose to truly sinister, he was the perfect choice to bring life to the stories being crafted.

Guitarist Matt Hodsdon soon joined the duo, followed by drummer Andrew Julkowski, both from progressive metal band Chaos Frame. As recording commenced in November 2023, bassist Michael “Oneirous” Sanchez (King Ov Worms, ex-Judicator) joined in early 2024, completing the lineup. With the band assembled, so too was their debut album, In the Temple of the Tyrant.

My thoughts on this fine album ~ A hugely impressive debut full length from Behölder. 'In The Temple Of The Tyrant' is inspired by the epic mythology of the likes of Dungeons & Dragons but this album explores deeper more arcane, subterranean levels with a devilish foundation of Candlemass like doom interwoven with the cutting edge and theatrics of classic power metal. Spells are cast and dragons are slain as the multitude of riffs and solos vie for battle honours glorified by the vocals of John Yelland resonating in triumph.

With 'In The Temple Of The Tyrant' Behölder has conjured up a potion of such spellbinding heavy metal alchemy that this first chapter will surely not be the last.

For fans of Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, Sorcerer, Memento Mori Etc

KIRITSIS ~ Kiritsis (2025)

 The debut self-titled album from Indiana band Kiritsis and its right on the money, delivering a gut punch of groovy sludge with a slice of spiteful, crusty hardcore to make your bad day even worse. The guitar sounds like someone's running amok through the abattoir wielding a chainsaw, clogged up with blood, snot and chunks of gore.

Kiritsis follows an increasing trend of crusty sludge bands spattering clots of mid paced death metal among their albums, particularly the track 'Deny.Defend.Dispose, straining the sinews of extreme metal around a thick, congealed core.

Have fun picking the scabs off this one.

MONOLITHIC ARCHITECTURE ~ Our World Grows Worse (2024)

Monolithic Architecture is a U.S band with the DNA of grindsters Hobostew and Reptilian Brain among others skulking in a completely opposite sphere of extreme metal. In Monolithic Architecture's realm, time has slowed to a standstill and with a riff pressure that will crush out of existence anyone willing to don earphones and listen for any length of time.

The album 'Our World Grows Worse' is a raw and devastating bombardment of drone infused doom. Starting and ending with blasts of flesh stripping feedback which also permeates throughout the album like razor wire in no man's land, 'Our World Grows Worse' is a Stone Golemesque trudge into negativity. Some chords  wander into a hateful void while others slam into immobile granite walls. 

I've often wondered how 2-piece bands manage to create such cacophonies of sound and Monolithic Architecture treads the same turbulent path.

SEA OF SNAKES ~ Bow To No One (2024)

 

After their previous full length, the excellent 'The Serpent And The Lamb' blew my mind as well as my speakers, now lumbers forth the latest album from Los Angeles Sea Of Snakes called 'Bow To No One' and as with 'The Serpent And The Lamb' this is right on point. 

'Bow To No One' sees the band fully embracing a doomier direction that was hinted at with previous songs such as End Of The Sun. There is an abundance of riffs, huge and full of depth for the listener to revel in. I was particularly struck by the grandeur and clarity of the excellent mix creating a more satisfying crystalline crunch to the tracks rather than a dreary thud. Despite the lucidity of the production, 'Bow To No One' isn't overly polished, the undercurrent of stoner sees to that but neither is it choked in fuzz allowing the dynamism of the songs to shine through, songs that aren't shackled by rigidity that this genre often harbours. enhancing the heaviness of the album and allowing the tracks to ebb and flow like magma.

A bastion of doom for 2024

DEMON & ELEVEN CHILDREN ~ Demon Demo

I don't know much about this Chinese band but I can only assume the name comes from the title of a Blues Creation album. Indeed, although from China, Demon & Eleven Children is obviously influenced by the Japanese and early Italian doom sound, drizzled with acid  and fried in a 70's proto doom sauce until dry and crispy. This demo ep crackles with lo fi attitude and is an absolute delight.

VOLCANA ~ Goddess of Flame (2017)

Originally released in 2017, Goddess Of The Flame, by U.S band Volcana has been given the vinyl treatment by Glory Or Death Records. Red blooded, gritty riffs and twin guitar leads entwined into vicious barbs, career from one genre to the next, often within the same track. The main ingredient resonates with a Thin Lizzy'ish metal/rock sound but Goddess Of The Flame also leaves an aftertaste of doom and stoner as well as the occasional thrash crunch. 

ISOLE ~ Anesidora (2023)

The dual harsh and clean (mainly clean) vocals sets the tone for Isole's new album Anesidora an album that spans the full range of emotions dragging the listener from the depths of despair one moment to a rapturous sense of elation the next. It's like attending a wake yet leaving with a smile on your face. Isole doesn't need fuzz or effects to conjure an epic, aural funeral. Instead, this doom ceremony is sanctified by heavy, metallic crunchy guitars punctuated with solo's that sound like the anguished crying of a grieving widow.

Bereavement has never been this glorious.

https://hammerheartstore.com/collections/vendors?q=Isole

DIVINIST ~ Divinist (2023)

Ominous, sludgy doom seething with evil intent. Bleak, black and sullen, the surprisingly sumptuous sound adds multitudes of layers, pitted with pained, acidic guitar leads, to the numbing, hypnotic dissonance taking root into your skull. Painfully slow, not even the added death metal element breaks Divinist from its lumbering stride of behemothic proportions. Dark, necromantic spells are cast from the first track and the feeling of oppressive malevolence leaves goosebumps on the nape of your neck long after the final track 'Curse' has ended.

FALL OF THE IDOLS ~ Contradictory Notes (2022)

Classic Finnish doom wrought with emotion. Contradictory Notes is a fitful dream swaddled in nightmares, dark melodies tainted with sorrow. To these ears there is a My Dying Bride influence pulling the strings. This is Fall Of The Idol's first release in ten years and the four tracks on it were potentially earmarked for the bands 'Solemn Verses' album but tragedy struck the band which decided to go into prolonged hibernation but fear not, these songs have been honed and polished over the years so that Contradictory Notes can stand in its own lengthy shadow with its head held high. 

Gaul ~ Taken by the Twilight Tide (2022)

 The first track is called 'Corrupted' which pretty much sums up this noxious slab of  blackened doom/sludge. Any joyous emotion has been trampled on by dissonant sludge, traumatized by disheartening post black metal and buried under a virulent atmosphere of  toxicity.

This is ground zero of extreme metal!

EARTH OF DISTRUST ~ Victimology (2013)

 

Bandcamp reveals yet another gem from its bosom, this time its Earth Of Distrust from Greece. The overriding influence on Victimology  is the rich vein of thick globs of humid, sludgy doom which allows all the other gnarly elements of crust, hardcore and punk to orbit the planet sized riffs without the album disintergrating into unruly chaos.

SEA OF SNAKES ~ The Serpent & The Lamb (2022)

The Serpent & The Lamb the new album from Sea Of Snakes is one of the snappiest albums I've heard so far this year. The album is lathered in groovy, fuzzy stoner riffs, lubed with AiC like sleaze and swollen with Sabbath influenced doom often blemished with a darker, funerealistic taint.

BRETHREN HOGG ~ Relative Swine (2022)

There's nothing soft and mushy about Brethren Hoggs's brand of stoner. Fuzz has been stripped away leaving rusty bare metal that rocks hard. Each face Brethren Hogg shows us is uncompromising, stoner riffs have a grungy groove, forays into doom are lean and heavy with slow paced thrash like riffs laced with a faint whiff of Mastodonish prog.

LORD OF CONFUSION ~ Evil Mystery (2022)

Haunting doom alchemy from Portugal. I reviewed Lord Of Confusion's 2019 EP Burnin' Valley earlier this year and their new album, Evil Mystery isn't too dissimilar, however there are some stellar improvements. On Burnin' Valley the keyboards of  Carlota Sousa who also provides vocals, dominated the ep but on Evil Mystery guitar and keyboards stalk each other in perfectly layered harmony alongside the chants from the coven of Carlota to chilling effect. This album is like the sudden tap on the shoulder in an empty room, or a nightime walk in a fogbound cemetery, crawling with dark places and creaking, rusty iron gates.Be sure to bear an Apotropaic mark to ward off unwelcome spirits when you listen to this excellent album. 

The greatest compliment I can give to Lord Of Confusion is that, although the band is Portugese, Evil  Mystery has earned a place among the standard bearers of classic Italian style doom.

GOATROACH ~ Plagueborn (2022)

Finnish deathsludge consumed by bilious hatred. Songs of darkness stalk a path of bleak terror from your speakers to eventually infest the Tympanic Membrane of your inner ear before inducing coma. After the global pandemic, Plagueborn from Goatroach is a new, more virulent strain of sludgy death evolving from track to track adding elements of doom, black metal and crust into an already highly toxic viral load.

File under G for Grim