Now that 2025 is coming to a close, we at Tuonela Magazine want to share the releases that we have most enjoyed. Each of our staff members will share their own list, and here is the list of Andrea Crow.
Well, this has been a year… For the first time in a long, long while this year, I skirted the edges of burnout/depression to such an extent that during the late spring and summer months (May, June, and July especially) I couldn’t even entertain the idea of writing a review, and that because of too much going on at work (go figure). I am only glad I was able to pull myself together enough to write something for Julian Larre’s solo release under the moniker LESSDMV since this is an independently released album of incredibly good quality that deserves a lot more attention than it gets… before I unwittingly took a time out for my mental health… So, yeah, it’s been a year… But with time, rest, sun/nature, books, and good songs/albums my passion for sharing with the world the music that I enjoy gradually came back, and just in time for the amazing releases of LORD OF THE LOST, ZETRA, and BLACKBRIAR in August and, of course, the wonderful autumn releases from AMORPHIS, BLOODRED HOURGLASS, HEI’AN, ROYAL SORROW, or PARADISE LOST (to name a few). Other than that, 2025 has been another great year when it comes to metal records, as the below lists can surely confirm.
Top 10 International Albums
10. Remina – The Silver Sea
9. Sicksense – Cross Me Twice
8. The Halo Effect – March of the Unheard
7. Avantasia – Here Be Dragons
6. Hei’An – Kiss your Ghosts Goodbye
5. Lord of the Lost – Opvs Noir (vol 1 & vol 2)
4. Epica – Aspiral
3. Lessdmv – Epitaph II
2. Dynazty – Game of Faces
1. H.E.A.T. – Welcome to the Future
Read more: REVIEW: Sicksense – Cross Me Twice | REVIEW: The Halo Effect – March of the Unheard | REVIEW: Avantasia – Here Be Dragons | REVIEW: Hei’An – Kiss Our Ghosts Goodbye | REVIEW: Lord of the Lost – Opvs Noir | REVIEW: Lord of the Lost – Opvs Noir vol. 2 | REVIEW: Epica – Aspiral | REVIEW: Lessdmv – Epitaph II | REVIEW: Dynazty – Game of Faces | Interview with Dynazty | REVIEW: H.E.A.T. – Welcome to the Future
Top 10 Finnish Albums
10. The Rasmus – Weirdo
9. Luna Kills – Deathmatch
8. Battle Beast – Steelbound
7. Auri – III – Candles & Beginnings
6. Rioghan – Kept
5. Arion – The Light that Burns the Sky
4. Amorphis – Borlerland
3. Royal Sorrow – Innerdeeps
2. Bloodred Hourglass – We Should Be Buried Like This
1. Balance Breach – Save Our Souls
Read more: REVIEW: The Rasmus – Weirdo | REVIEW: Luna Kills – Deathmatch | REVIEW: Auri – III – Candles & Beginnings | Interview with Auri | REVIEW: Rioghan – Kept | REVIEW: Arion – The Light that Burns the Sky | REVIEW: Amorphis – Borderland | REVIEW: Royal Sorrow – Innerdeeps | REVIEW: Bloodred Hourglass – We Should Be Buried Like This | REVIEW: Balance Breach – Save Our Souls
Top 3 EPs
3. Zetra – Believe
2. The Halo Effect – We Are Shadows
1. Moon Shot – Broken Bones
Read more: REVIEW: Zetra – EP: Believe | REVIEW: Moon Shot – EP: Broken Bones
Top 5 music videos
5. Lessdmv – In the Dark
4. Hei’An – What a Shame
3. Sicksense – In This Carousel
2. Lord of the Lost x Infected Rain – Would You Walk With Me Through Hell?
1. Shinedown – Three, Six, Five
Top 5 international songs
5. Myrath – Until The End (feat. Elize Ryd)
4. Dynazty – Fire to Fight
3. H.E.A.T. – Bad Time for Love
2. Shinedown – Three Six Five
1. Lord of the Lost x Infected Rain – Would You Walk With Me Through Hell?
Top 5 Finnish songs
5. Royal Sorrow – Release Your Shadow
4. Moon Shot – Broken Bones
3. Amorphis – Dancing Shadow
2. Bloodred Hourglass – Chasing Shadows
1. Balance Breach – Just to Lose It All
Top 5 best last-minute songs
5. Soen – Discordia
4. Fabienne Erni – Living and the Dead
3. Myrath – The Funeral
2. Melissa Bonny – Snow on Mars
1. Epica – Avatar – The Final Incarnation
Top 5 album covers
5. Fallujah – Xenotaph
4. Amorphis – Borderland
3. Maestrick – Espresso Della Vita: Lunare
2. Dynazty – Game of Faces
1. Eluveitie – Ànv
Best collaboration
Avantasia – The Witch (feat Tommy Karevik)
Most promising act
Finnish: Royal Sorrow
International: Hei’An
Top 5 most anticipated releases of 2026
5. Shinedown – TBA
4. Soen – Reliance
3. Myrath – Wilderness of Mirrors
2. Lacrimas Profundere – TBA
1. Lord of the Lost – Opvs Noir vol. 3
Want to share your lists with us? Comment below with your lists.
The whole Tuonela Magazine team wishes you an inspirational 2026 filled with a lot of new music to discover. We hope to see you back next year!
