Why Wait for December? The Best Metal Releases from the First Half of 2025
Year-end lists have become a staple in the metal world — a time to reflect, debate, and celebrate the albums that left a lasting mark. But let’s be honest: some truly great records fall through the cracks. Often, it’s the releases that drop early in the year that suffer most. As time passes and the flood of new music grows, even the strongest early contenders are overlooked, their initial impact fading from collective memory.
So why not break the cycle? A mid-year list offers a fresh opportunity to take stock of what the first six months have delivered — and 2025 has already proven to be a remarkable year. From powerful debuts and unexpected returns to genre-bending experiments and razor-sharp executions of extreme metal’s core styles, this year’s early offerings have been anything but forgettable.
What follows is a handpicked selection of albums that didn’t just catch our ears, but gripped them. These are the records that sparked conversation, pushed boundaries, or simply crushed everything in their path. Will they still be standing strong by year’s end? Time will tell. But one thing is clear: these albums deserve to be heard — and remembered — right now.
In no particular order:
Bacht‘n de Vullle Moane – Klaagrituelen LP
The debut album by these Belgians was a true eye-opener — a bold statement that playing by the rules isn’t a requirement for creating impact. In fact, it was their refusal to conform and their willingness to color outside the lines that made the album so refreshing and compelling. Rather than relying on worn-out genre clichés, they deliberately pushed boundaries — and crossed them with a grin. Coloring outside the lines wasn’t just allowed; it felt essential to creating something truly their own.
Vollmondprozession – Lazarus LP
Another one of those albums that left my jaw on the floor — and not just for a moment, but for the entire duration. Lazarus isn’t just a record you casually spin once and move on from. It’s an experience that grabs hold of your subconscious and lingers there, haunting and compelling. From the very first notes, you’re pulled into a ritualistic, mystical atmosphere where every sound feels intentional, every silence resonates, and every outburst strikes like a revelation.
This is not a fleeting listen. Lazarus demands — no, commands — repeated plays. And with each return, more of its hidden layers begin to reveal themselves. What at first feels elusive slowly starts to form a coherent, deeply spiritual narrative. Every listen brings new insight, new textures, and a stronger sense of the vision behind the work.
This is a rare creation — uncompromising, sincere, and drenched in atmosphere. With Lazarus, Vollmondprozession haven’t just released an album; they’ve summoned an incantation pressed into wax.
NyreDolk – Barndommens Hjem LP
With their wild and unapologetic blend of Black Metal, Punk, Grindcore, Avant-garde elements — and just about everything in between — this Danish band delivered an absolutely thrilling album that left a lasting impression. Barndommens Hjem is a sonic onslaught, but one with intent, depth, and a raw emotional core that continues to resonate long after the final track fades out.
What makes this record truly stand out is not just its genre-defying audacity, but the way NyreDolk manage to fuse chaos and structure into something cohesive and gripping. One moment you’re being pummeled by frantic blast beats and shrieking vocals, the next you’re plunged into dissonant, almost theatrical passages that feel more like performance art than traditional metal. It’s unpredictable in the best way — restless, urgent, and constantly evolving.
This isn’t just a collection of aggressive tracks thrown together for impact. Barndommens Hjem feels like a statement — personal, confrontational, and emotionally charged. It’s the kind of album you return to, not just to relive the energy, but to uncover new nuances and textures with each listen.
An exhilarating and boundary-pushing release that proves NyreDolk are operating entirely on their own terms — and we’re all the better for it.
Schavot – Verstrikt in het Halflicht LP
Floris Velthuis is a true multi-instrumentalist and creative force, and on this new Schavot album, he once again proves just how deep his talents run. Verstrikt in het Halflicht is nothing short of a heartfelt homage to the golden era of 1990s Black Metal — and what an homage it is. The album captures the melancholic majesty and icy aggression of that era, while still sounding personal and distinctly Schavot.
From soaring tremolo riffs and atmospheric keyboards to raw, emotive vocals and dynamic songwriting, this record feels like a time capsule that somehow breathes with new life. It’s both a tribute and a fresh statement — drenched in nostalgia, yet never derivative.
And perhaps the best news of all: Schavot is finally taking to the stage. This November will mark their long-awaited live debut, bringing Velthuis’ haunting vision out of the shadows and into the physical realm in a musical carousel with Hellevaerder, Asgrauw en Duindwaler. For fans of the project, and for anyone with a love for that quintessential ‘90s Black Metal spirit, this is an album — and an event — not to miss.
Shagor – Lyksalver LP
We had to wait a little while for the follow-up to Shagor’s impressive debut album, but it was more than worth it. Once again, they’ve delivered a fantastic record—an atmospheric and emotionally gripping journey that cements their place in the black metal underground.
With this second release, Shagor pushes their sound even further. The compositions are more refined, the dynamics more intense, and the production perfectly captures the bleak yet immersive atmosphere they’re known for. It’s a layered, thoughtful album that grips you from the first listen and continues to reveal new depths with each spin.
This time, the album is released through the highly respected Vendetta Records, a label renowned for its carefully curated and consistently strong output in the genre. The release also comes wrapped in a stunning cover—an absolute visual feast that complements the music’s dark and evocative tone perfectly.
In short: Shagor has once again delivered a powerful and moving piece of work that not only lives up to expectations but surpasses them. Essential listening for fans of atmospheric and soul-stirring black metal.
Grafjammer – De tyfus, de teerling LP
Grafjammer is back. Filthier, nastier, and more furious than ever. Their latest offering is a tribute to everything black, pissed-off, and unapologetically raw. Black’n’Roll, soaked in grimy punk influences, tears through your eardrums like a chainsaw and crawls under your skin to stay.
Forget polished production or clean melodies. This is pure, unfiltered aggression with a middle finger raised high to anything remotely mainstream. Each track is a punch to the gut, a growl from the cellar of existence. Grafjammerdelivers haunting riffs, filthy vocals, and a relentless energy that either drags you along or leaves you in the dust — your call.
The artwork? As it should be: DIY, ugly and beautiful at the same time. There’s no middle ground. You’ll either fall in love with it or absolutely hate it. But it won’t leave you indifferent. Just like the music, it’s ripped straight from the gut — raw, honest, and without compromise.
This isn’t music for everyone. And that’s exactly the point. Don’t get it? Don’t feel it?
Then you can go choke on their shit.
Hellevaerder – Fakkeldragers LP
With their second full-length, Hellevaerder once again manages to capture our attention and deliver something truly unique—something that makes us, as a small country, genuinely proud.
This new release showcases a band that continues to carve out its own path within the Dutch black metal scene, blending raw emotion with compelling storytelling. Central to the experience is the hypnotic voice of Miranda Visser, who once again strikes the perfect chord. Her haunting vocals pull the listener deeper into the narrative, guiding us through the tale of the Guardian of the Light with both intensity and grace.
It’s a rare thing to find a band that evolves while staying true to its core, but Hellevaerder does just that—offering a fresh yet familiar soundscape that lingers long after the final note fades.
Silver Knife – Silver Knife LP
A collection of some of Belgium’s finest musical forces has come together in a new project that truly demands attention: Silver Knife. Their latest album is nothing short of a triumph—a seamless blend of atmosphere, aggression, and introspection that showcases the depth and creativity of the musicians involved.
What makes this project so striking is how naturally it all comes together. Each member brings their own distinct musical background, yet the result feels cohesive and focused. There’s a sense of purpose running through the album—every riff, every vocal line, every atmospheric layer serves the greater whole.
The production is crisp yet raw, giving space to both the melodic nuances and the harsher edges of their sound. It’s an album that invites you in with its haunting beauty, only to drag you deeper into its emotional undercurrents.
Without a doubt, Silver Knife is one of 2025’s most welcome surprises for me—a bold, confident release from a band that already sounds like they’ve been crafting their vision for years. If this is just the beginning, we’re in for something very special.
Yritys – Mors Mecum Ambulat LP
DSBM isn’t for everyone—you have to be able to endure it, to willingly confront the emotional weight it carries. But Swedish act Yritys delivers it with such conviction and depth that it almost feels good to immerse yourself in someone else’s despair for a while.
There’s an authenticity in Yritys’ sound that cuts deep. The raw emotion, the bleak atmosphere, the tortured vocals—it’s all executed with a sense of purpose that transcends mere genre conventions. Instead of pushing you away, the music draws you in, offering a strangely cathartic experience.
It’s rare for depressive black metal to feel this immersive without becoming overindulgent or repetitive. Yritys finds that delicate balance between pain and beauty, crafting songs that feel personal yet universally resonant. This is sorrow not just for the sake of sorrow, but sorrow that speaks—loud and clear.
If you’re open to the genre’s emotional gravity, Yritys offers a deeply affecting journey that somehow makes shared suffering feel like solace.
Caronte – Spiritvs LP
The mighty Caronte have returned—and they’ve done so in truly spectacular fashion. A band that could easily rival many of the genre’s bigger names, Caronte once again delivers their signature brand of occult rock/metal with unwavering conviction and power.
Their latest offering is a masterclass in atmosphere and intensity. Drawing from the rich traditions of doom, classic heavy metal, and psychedelic rock, Caronte weaves a dark, ritualistic soundscape that feels both timeless and fiercely alive. The riffs are massive, the vocals commanding, and the overall mood drenched in mysticism and esoteric energy.
What sets Caronte apart is their ability to channel the occult not just as an aesthetic, but as a genuine presence in their music. It’s theatrical without being overblown, heavy without losing groove, and spiritual without becoming abstract. Every track feels like a ceremony—charged, deliberate, and unrelentingly powerful.
In short: Caronte are back, and once again proving that they belong at the top tier of the occult rock/metal world.
Monhell – The Last Sigh of Pain CD
Spanish act Monhell surprised many with their debut album this year, delivering a fresh and compelling take on their genre that quickly caught attention. Now, all eyes are on what this talented artist has in store for us next.
The debut showcased a unique blend of heavy riffs, atmospheric depth, and raw emotion, hinting at great potential and a distinct musical vision. With such a strong introduction, it’s exciting to anticipate how Monhell will continue to evolve and push boundaries.
If the debut was any indication, we can expect even more powerful, intense, and captivating music from this promising project in the near future.