Top 5 of 2025!!

Once again, I'm later than everyone else as I wanted to give everything I could a shot to get into this list.  I admit it's been a crazy year for me, as I wasn't as consistent at reviewing new releases as I wanted to be, while getting in over my head with the retrospective Top 5s!  Still, I think I was able to check out a solid chunk of what last year had to offer, allowing me to share my Top 5 of 2025 with some confidence!  As usual, power metal dominates the year with some very solid releases, but there are a few honorable mentions to throw in.  The Ferryman had an outside chance with Iron Will, and Helloween's Giants and Monsters ended up not quite making it, despite some very good songs.  With those out of the way, let's get into this thing!

5. Sabaton - Legends

Sabaton have really cemented themselves as a band that does their own thing, and usually does it well.  While the World War I themes were starting to wear a little thin on that last album, the band decided to not bother with a big concept album, and I think it has helped them regain some energy and squeeze themselves into this list.  It may be churlish of me to put this over the veterans Helloween, but I will take an album that's consistent all the way through than one full of highs and lows.

4. Crazy Lixx - Thrill of the Bite

The odd one out in this list, but this album made me smile all the way through!  While they aren't doing anything new or innovative, they definitely know how to make their style of throwback glam metal just dominate your speakers.  Sometimes, you just want a good, fun rock 'n' roll album, and Crazy Lixx has that in spades!

3. Primal Fear - Dominiation

Another incredibly consistent band that had a bit of a drop of lately, but seems to be returning with strength in 2025.  Perhaps their new rhythm section helped improve their execution, but Scheepers, Karlsson, and Sinner really pulled together a pretty good album this time.  Not as good as Rulebreaker, but solid enough to get onto this list.

2. Dragonknight - Legion

Certainly the sleeper of the year, I really can't find much fault with this album.  There's certainly plenty of symphonic power metal to compare this debut album to, but these guys have pulled off a well-executed album, being bombastic enough to be fun, but not losing themselves in overly complex or melodramatic songwriting.  It's just the right mix that helps it stand out over the others.

1. Majestica - Power Train

It might be silly, but I can't deny that what Tommy and his buddies have done is write probably the greatest love letter to power metal I've ever heard, not only respecting their elders but also finding a decent amount of variety in these tracks to mitigate any repetitive elements.  I think it also helps that they clearly just love doing this kind of music, and that passion is what pushes this album above the rest for 2025.