Playlist – Favorite Songs From 2025
1. Johnny Booth – Get Well Soon
After releasing my favorite album of 2023, Johnny Booth returned with one of my favorite songs in 2025. Mixing chaos with an experimental jazz interlude sees them teetering on the edge, but as long as they don’t fall too far into the deep end, they’ll be golden. They’re a favorite among newcomers. Everything they’ve done since 2019 has been incredible.
2. Psychoframe – Blueprints For Idol Genocide
I mean, this is just insane. Psychoframe has moved past the “revival deathcore” sound that first catapulted them to fame. This track has bass bombs on the same level as Extermination Dismemberment, but the real highlight is the Emmure inspiration from 2:38 to 3:00.
3. Midwinter – Red Phantom
These guys came out of left field with an incredible album and EP this year. This song reminds me a bit of Sleep Waker’s early material. Lots of darkness with a sharp tone. The singing also adds a surprisingly catchy element to songs that would otherwise be on the verge of scary heaviness for a metalcore band.
4. Silverstein – Skin & Bones
This is actually the song that made me want to make this list. It probably has my favorite chorus of the entire year. Silverstein’s two-part album had some massive hits, and it’s wild that they’ve stayed relevant for so long. The softer stuff kind of loses me, but I’m locked in when they add in some heavy notes.
5. Varials – I’ll Find The Dark
This song represents the most incredible turn around I’ve ever seen a band make. If Varials puts out an album that sounds like this next year, it will place high on my 2026 list. I was devastated when Travis left the band, especially because their 2019 album was so good, and I can’t believe they thought Mitchell Rodgers could replace him. He failed miserably, and after their embarrassingly bad album in 2022 (that I thought had ended their careers), I didn’t think we’d hear from them again. Well, they recruited the vocalist of Cell, and he has the potential to take them to new heights.
6. Delilah – Memory of a Memory
I’ll be impressed if anyone else has even heard of this band. I miss this classic metalcore sound so much. The modern era has some good stuff, but it’s just like…this is what metalcore is supposed to sound like. “Hold still. I’m hurting you because I love you.” Gets me every time.
7. Currents – It Only Gets Darker
I love heavy Currents. Why can’t they sound like this all the time? I guess it’s the “big metalcore band” tax that forces them to mix in mainstream stuff, but it’s nice to see that they still have a bite when they want to. Unfortunately, solid cover-to-cover material from them only comes in the form of EPs these days. I can’t believe ‘I Let The Devil In’ came out seven years ago. That was one of the best EPs of the last decade.
8. Disembodied Tyrant – 8.6 Blackout
One of the most intense deathcore songs of the year. The music video is absolutely stunning. Without a doubt, the most impactful piece of visual media accompanying music that I saw this year. A lot of people know about these guys from the split EP that they did with Synestia last year which was phenomenal. There are a few bands that fit in the “colossal deathcore” category, and Disembodied Tyrant is one of them.
9. Catsclaw – Perfect Death
I’ve been hyping these guys, and it’s no surprise to see them here. This is the best I’ve seen a metalcore band adopt the “thall” sound pioneered by Vildhjarta and Humanity’s Last Breath. And it’s no wonder, Catsclaw worked with Buster Odeholm and Calle Thomer (critical members of those bands) on their debut EP. Super bright future for these guys.
10. 156/Silence – Our Parting Ways
After placing in my top 10 last year, I’m stoked to see an exceptional return from 156/Silence. This one has more singing than expected, and the instrumentals are slightly subdued, but I like the atmosphere. I think their next album will have the perfect mix of soft/heavy. After that, we’ll have to keep an eye on whether they get pulled too far into mainstream metalcore.
11. Malevolence – If It’s All The Same To You
I came back to Malevolence’s album surprisingly often and this was a standout. It’s not flashy or heavy, it’s just a fun, solid metal track. The chorus has an old school feel, and gives me cowboy vibes. The guitarwork has nice variety too.
12. Above, Below – Soothsayer
This was a late addition, but I’ve enjoyed this band for a long time and I hope this is the start of something bigger. Heavy vocals, thick grooves, and awesome cleans that remind me a bit of Invent Animate.
13. Lorna Shore – Unbreakable
As much as I tried, I couldn’t make myself care about the new Lorna Shore album, but this song was the highlight by a million miles. I like that the symphonic elements feel more triumphant and uplifting. Being able to understand more of the vocals is also helpful – that was something I really liked about ‘Immortal’ with CJ McCreery before Lorna Shore started dominating the deathcore “vocal olympics” category.
14. Dance Gavin Dance – All The Way Down
I hated this song so much when I first heard it, but what can I say, it grew on me. It’s the perfect mix of catchy and annoying. As much as I wanted to, I didn’t love Andrew Wells as the clean vocalist, but his efforts are decent here. I just feel like DGD has strayed from their swancore sound and Andrew Wells (as good as he is in Eidola) just isn’t built to fill Tilian’s shoes.
15. Great American Ghost – Lost In The Outline
I could have picked a couple different songs from this album, that’s why it was one of my favorites. I love their screaming style so I wanted to highlight this one because it also has impressive cleans – it just feels like he’s really belting the lines. There are a lot of similarities to Fit For An Autopsy (which you should know), but also Half Me (which you should check out).
16. Upon A Burning Body – Another Ghost
I actually liked UABB’s new album a lot more than I expected to. There are a lot of different sounds/styles and the variety serves them well. The biggest shock was how good they sound on this track. It’s kind of introspective and moody, which is not something I would expect UABB to be able to pull off. The chorus is legitimately solid and they tastefully weave heavy notes in and out.
17. Vildhjarta – + Sargasso +
The lords of thall have returned. There’s so much going on here, especially with the uneasy pauses and unsettling lurches. The singles were super impactful, and Calle Thomer and Buster Odeholm are legends that have certainly been involved with some of your other favorite bands. If I’m being honest though, I miss the relative straightforwardness (and English lyrics) of their first album.
18. After The Burial – Hum From The Hollow
It’s been six years since the last After The Burial album. The intermittent singles have been great, but it’s time for more. Here’s to hoping ATB comes back strong in 2026. If they continue down this path, they’ll crush it.
19. Rivers of Nihil – Criminals
After kicking out their longtime vocalist (who helped found the band in 2009), I didn’t have high expectations for new Rivers of Nihil, especially off the back of their 2021 album which was a huge downgrade from their 2018 one. However, there are definitely some gems in the new material. This track really stuck with me because it’s the best example of their new cleans and I like how they sound next to the rough screams.
20. King 810 – Rustbelt Nu Metal
I don’t normally pay a ton of attention to King 810 but they had a huge year. Great flow with their classic strained vocals and jumpy energy.
21. Architects – Black Hole
Is it gimmicky? Yes. Is it embarrassingly cringey? Yes. Was it one of my most listened to songs this year? Yes. What can I say, as much as I hated on Architects’ new album, and even though I still stand by everything I wrote in my review, I actually ended up enjoying it quite a bit.
22. Erra – Gore of Being
What a return to form! I felt like their 2024 album was so bland, especially compared to their 2021 album (which was my favorite album that year). It just felt like Jesse Cash was phoning it in with his cleans in 2024 and now he’s back to going full force on the last two singles. Idk if they’re working on a new album or EP, but if they keep this up, they could reclaim the number one spot next year.
23. The Acacia Strain – A Call Beyond
Quick and to the point. Emblematic of the current era of The Acacia Strain. Dark, gritty, and fast.
24. Thus Spoke Zarathustra – I Can’t Save You
This whole album was killer. One of the only albums that reminds me of early As Blood Runs Black. A perfect balance between metalcore and deathcore. Plus, that Boundaries feature is next level.
25. Aversions Crown – A Voice From The Outer Dark
I’m stoked that Aversions Crown is back, and the icing on the cake is that they have Alex Teyen (from Black Tongue) as their new vocalist. They’ve moved a bit towards death metal and I’m pumped to hear what else they have in store.
26. Scowl – Special
Probably the most unique inclusion on this list – I couldn’t get enough of Scowl this year. I really appreciate that the vocalist embraces her feminine cleans and doesn’t try to sound like a man with her screams. It seems basic, but it helps them stand out. Lots of energy and you can tell they’re having fun.
27. Woe Is Me – Devil In My Mind
This one got stuck in my head for a week when it came out. Do I love the idea of country-infused metalcore? Not really. But I’m happy to see Woe Is Me back on the horse, and I openly embrace my guilty pleasures.
28. Invent Animate / Silent Planet – Armageddon Eyes
Crazy collaboration between two powerhouses. I especially have a new appreciation for Invent Animate after seeing them live a few months ago. Absolutely unreal. Marcus Vik is one of the best metalcore vocalists I’ve ever seen.
29. Unprocessed – Beyond Heaven’s Gate
It’s almost hypnotic. The beginning is peaceful yet captivating. The heavy moments fit in perfectly and remind me a bit of Dayseeker.
30. Body Prison – Body Bag
Another band that rides the line between metalcore and deathcore. High tempo and unrelenting. Nice vocal variety that definitely tips the ending into deathcore territory.
31. Pintglass – Stella F.C.
You have to watch the music videos to fully appreciate Pintglass. They sound scary, but it’s literally a bunch of lads that work construction, drink beer, watch soccer, and get into shenanigans. What a fun time. The Matt Honeycutt feature is the cherry on top.
32. Many Eyes – The Clock Behind All Other Clocks
This had to make the list because I couldn’t stop saying “staring at the void with my sunglasses on” for a week. I miss Every Time I Die.
33. Despised Icon – Over My Dead Body
Despised Icon’s vocals have always been a little obnoxious to me, but they are OG deathcore kings and I like them in small doses. Funnily enough, this track also features Matt Honeycutt.
34. Shrine of Malice – Angel of Hatred
If these guys could consistently release material, they would be absolutely massive. Their vocalist is a beast and I love the power of his mid screams. He also has some of the most ridiculous highs in the genre.
35. August Burns Red – Barbarian
A classic with a twist. The re-recorded version of Thrill Seeker for its 20th anniversary was so good, and this track was a highlight. It’s also super cool that it features Josh McManness (the original vocalist on this album from 20 years ago). It’s crazy that this album came out so long ago and is still better than 99% of modern metalcore.
36. Angelmaker – Silken Hands
I couldn’t be happier that Angelmaker picked up Ian Bearer (former vocalist of Rings of Saturn) as their second vocalist. He’s a monster and he fits in perfectly. Love the rolling breakdowns and utilization of the dual-vocalist approach.