EDITOR KEN’S TOP 10 OF 2025

EDITOR KEN’S TOP 10 OF 2025

In 2025, Highwire Daze magazine proudly celebrates its 35th anniversary, continuing our mission of promoting “noise pollution” to the masses. This milestone year feels like a full-circle moment, with the magazine covering more bands and artists than ever before.

Compiling this Top 10 was especially challenging—never has so much music been released in a single year. Our discoveries came not only from hardworking publicists across the globe but also through the ever-evolving algorithms of Instagram and Spotify.

This list showcases a vast and varied selection of talent: comebacks from the likes of Lord Belial, Vintersorg, My Ticket Home, and power-pop legends 20/20; alongside imaginative solo artists such as Rebecca Pidgeon and Ryan Woods, who represent the very best of indie pop.

In past years, I struggled to fill an EP list with ten interesting names—but not this time. From ethereal shoegaze to the most brutal death metal, the EPs of 2025 rival the full-length albums in creativity and impact.

And so, I present Editor Ken’s Top 10 List of 2025—a motley collection of artists well worth seeking out, each contributing to the ever-expanding soundtrack of our 35th year.

Editor Kens Top 10 Albums of 2025

The Apocalyptic Aeon by Avdagata (At Dawn Records)

Emerging from the legendary Swedish metal scene, Avdagata brings together current and former members of Dark Funeral, Nightrage, Cipher System, Night Crowned, The Unguided, and more. The Apocalyptic Aeon marks the band’s second thrilling masterwork, destined to captivate extreme metal fanatics across the globe. From the opening refrains of As Humanity Fails to the crushing intensity of All Shall Become None and beyond, the intrigue and artistry within are truly awe-inspiring. Fans of Dissection, Naglfar, Sacramentum, and all supreme black metal will find themselves compelled to enter the world of the almighty Avdagata.

Avdagata on Instagram

The Light We Chase by Bloom (Pure Noise Records)

Eight years in, Sydney’s Bloom have shed the underdog label and established themselves as one of Australia’s heavy music powerhouses. Fronted by Jono Hawkey with Jarod McLaren and Oliver Butler on guitars, Andrew Martin on bass, and Jack Van Vliet on drums, the band channels nostalgia, sacrifice, and growth into a sound that resonates worldwide. Their new album The Light We Chase, out now via Pure Noise Records, cements this rise with standout tracks like the crushing Withered, the emotive Keep You featuring Patrick Miranda, and the soaring anthem Show Me Who I Am. Fresh off a North America alongside Silverstein and Thursday, Bloom is carving their very own legacy into modern heavy music.

Bloom on Instagram

Signs & Wonders by Hearts On Fire (Pride & Joy Music)

After seven years of silence, melodic rockers Hearts On Fire have returned with their powerful new album Signs & Wonders, released earlier this year on Pride & Joy Music. Featuring the soaring vocals of Mark Boals, the masterful production and bass work of Dennis Ward, the superb keyboard work of Eric Ragno, and the unmistakable chemistry of founding members Jean Funes (guitars) and Joel Mejía (drums), the record has already been hailed as a bold step forward for the band. AOR is alive and thriving, with songs such as Signs in the Sky, Collective Mind, and World Torn in Two leaving a lasting impact on listeners.

Hearts On Fire on Instagram

Unholy Trinity by Lord Belial (Hammerheart Records)

With Unholy Trinity, Lord Belial roar back to form, delivering their strongest work since Enter The Moonlight Gate. Released through Hammerheart Records, the album reaffirms their place as a cornerstone of Scandinavian blackened death metal. For over three decades, the band has mastered the balance of raw aggression and haunting melody, and here they channel that legacy into a ferocious new chapter. Dark, atmospheric, and uncompromising, Unholy Trinity is both a testament to their enduring power and a rallying cry for the next generation of fans ready to embrace the infernal rage of Lord Belial.

Lord Belial on Instagram

Through Veils of Time by Mjolne (ATMF)

The almighty Mactätus arrived on the infamous Norwegian black metal scene in 1989, releasing a trinity of masterworks through Napalm Records. While Mactätus contemplates a comeback for the ages, the band’s drummer Mjolne has taken matters into his own hands, unleashing Through Veils of Time through ATMF. Symphonic black metal in its finest and bleakest hour, In Veils of Time not only recalls the classic Mactätus album Provenance of Cruelty, but builds on the band’s timeless legacy in nothing short of an epic way. A thrilling triumph of dark artistry!

Mjolne on Instagram

Pure To A Fault by My Ticket Home (Puke Rock Records)

Columbus, Ohio quartet My Ticket Home — singer Nick Giumenti; drummer Marshal Giumenti; guitarist Matt Gallucci; and guitarist/vocalist Derek Blevins unleashed Pure To A Fault – the first album from the band in over eight years!  Flying under the radar for years with standout albums such as Strangers Only and Unreal, Pure To A Fault presents another intense, exhilarating chapter to their “puke rock” legacy.  Mixing metalcore with grunge and slamming it all into the depth of chaotic madness, with Pure To A Fault, My Ticket Home delivers a staggering auditory experience!  A dirty dozen tune are unveiled, seething with hellish passion and conviction.  Now Self-Released, My Ticket Home is writing their next great chapter while declaring a true declaration of independence!

My Ticket Home on Instagram

Unillusion by Rebecca Pidgeon (Independent Release)

After experiencing Be My Butterfly, the first single from Unillusion by Rebecca Pidgeon, I was hooked!  And the songs that follow present a singer/songwriter at the very height of her creative energies.  Selections such as Dasharatha, Queen of the Fields, Where Is The Man, and Myself are as intimate as they are epic.  Fans of Kate Bush and Joni Mitchell will be absolutely enamored by the vibrant compositions found within the world of Unillusion.  And not only is this album one of 2025’s Ten Best, but Rebecca, producer Fernando Perdomo, and the rest of her band presented one of the most magical shows of the year at McCabes for the record release party.

Rebecca Pidgeon on Instagram

Godboy by Ryan Woods (Fearless Records)

Took a last-minute invite to see solo artist Ryan Woods at The Echo, and what an absolutely amazing, soulful performance!  And with the unveiling of his new full lengther Godboy on Fearless Records, an entire world can discover what an absolutely massive talent Ryan Woods is.  From the danceable opener Garden to the evocative Gun In The Glovebox, on to the insanely infectious Debbie to the dazzling Minnie Ripperton cover Loving You, Ryan has it going on tenfold!  Godboy is a stunning debut to be sure, launching what is sure to be a grand and epic career in music!  You will fall in love with pop music all over again with this one!

Ryan Woods on Instagram

Back To California by 20/20 (SpyderPop / Big Stir Records)

I have been a fan of 20/20 since my high school days in the 80’s and saw them live during that time.  Who would thought that in the year 2025, this legendary power pop band would get back together and release another career defining album?  Back To California is jammed packed with auditory bliss, including The End Of Summer, Why Do I Hurt Myself, Laurel Canyon and the glorious title track leaving a timeless impression on the listener. A full circle moment for me and a comeback that I never dreamed would happen in this lifetime.  All this and they played a local show at The Zebulon in April!

20/20 on Facebook

Vattenkrafternas spel by Vintersorg (Hammerheart Records)

After eight years away, Vintersorg returns with Vattenkrafternas spel, the long‑awaited conclusion to their elemental saga. More than a comeback, the release feels like a triumphant reflection on three decades of musical exploration, weaving together the icy atmospheres of Sweden with the cerebral depth of philosophical metal. True to their legacy, Vintersorg balances grandeur and introspection, crafting soundscapes that are both powerful and thought‑provoking. Hammerheart Records delivers this milestone as a defining moment in the band’s history—a stunning new chapter that honors their past while reaffirming their place among the most imaginative voices in Scandinavian metal.

Vintersorg on Instagram

Editor Kens Top 10 EP’s of 2025

CRXSSOURHEARTS by CRXSSOURHEARTS (CRXSSOURHEARTS Records)

Nick Lewert and Kyle Fink, known from the brash, fast, tongue‑in‑cheek Warped Tour pop punk of Games We Play, channel a new distinct energy on CRXSSOURHEARTS.  Born from late‑night sessions on the road and in the studio, the duo’s chemistry translates into a debut that feels urgent yet vulnerable. Break and Cheerleader hit with stunning immediacy, while Revive Me, I’ll Be Seeing You, and Bittersweet ache with emotional depth. Together, these tracks form an emotional collection that captivates the senses and sets imagination soaring—proof that CRXSSOURHEARTS is carving out its own powerful identity.

CRXSSOURHEARTS on Instagram

Vanishing Point by Demi the Daredevil (Independent Release)

Demi the Daredevil’s Vanishing Point is a bold, imaginative collision of pop‑punk urgency and indie rock flair. Hailing from El Paso and now based in Los Angeles, Demi’s journey from drummer to frontman carries poignant weight after the sudden passing of original singer Jovan. That resilience fuels the EP’s emotional core, with standout tracks like Cursed House, Gone With The Dead, and Machine City brimming with inventive energy. Autoplay to Funeral and Blackbird July add depth and atmosphere, showcasing a knack for blending theatricality with heartfelt honesty. Vanishing Point is a testament to transformation, creativity, and cathartic reinvention.

Demi the Daredevil on Instagram

Songs In The Mirror by The Drained (Independent Release)

Brianna “B.B.” Sherrodd proves herself a visionary force with Songs In the Mirror, a four-track indie rock EP that feels both raw and polished. Fronting The Drained, Sherrodd crafts infectious hooks and sharp lyrical edges that stick long after the music fades. Wing It bursts with reckless energy, Figured You Out channels bittersweet reflection, Good Morning radiates optimism, and Text Me captures modern vulnerability with swagger. Each track is distinct yet cohesive, showcasing Sherrodd’s ability to balance grit and melody. It’s a next-level statement—short, powerful, and impossible to ignore—cementing The Drained as one of 2025’s breakout acts.

The Drained on Instagram

Risen From The Flames by Eldfödd (Edged Circle Productions)

Eldfödd’s Risen From The Flames is a blistering death metal assault forged by veterans of Dark Funeral, Necrophobic, General Surgery, Maze of Torment, Serpent Obscene, and Crucifyre. Across four tracks, the band channels decades of extreme metal pedigree into pure sonic devastation. The title track erupts with relentless riffs, Beyond The Fire scorches with feral speed, Possess Blind and Devour drags listeners into crushing darkness, and Silence of the Gods closes with apocalyptic grandeur. Its epic brutality unleashed—tight, furious, and uncompromising—cementing Eldfödd as a force that rises from the underground with unholy fire and unstoppable intensity.

Eldfödd on Instagram

Girl With A Fuse by Madam Bombs (Independent Release)

Madam Bombs burst onto the scene with Girl With A Fuse, a vibrant EP that positions them as heirs to the alternative pop‑punk lineage of The Go‑Go’s, The Bangles, and Paramore. The trio’s energy is infectious, blending sharp hooks with playful storytelling. Walkie Talkie and Braindead showcase their knack for catchy choruses, while Mr. Popp adds a cheeky nod to high school memories. The shimmering title track ties it all together with timeless flair. Fun, fearless, and full of personality, Girl With A Fuse proves Madam Bombs are ready to ignite the next generation of pop‑punk.

Madam Bombs on Instagram

Let You Go by Mid June (Independent Release)

Los Angeles duo Mid June, founded by Cole Sage and Nico Diaz, deliver a breathtaking shoegaze‑infused EP with Let You Go. Where heartbreak collides with shimmering guitar textures, the result is a set of healing reveries that feel both intimate and expansive. Each of the four tracks is a standout: In This Song aches with vulnerability, I Do, I Do pulses with devotion, Souls To Rest drifts into cathartic release, and Glad We Tried closes with bittersweet resolve. Together, they craft a sonic journey that’s lush yet raw, proving Mid June’s ability to turn pain into transcendent beauty.

Mid June on Instagram

Aphrodite by Moral (Gud Times Entertainment)

Baltimore’s Sean Rehak, the driving force behind Moral, delivers a stunning fusion of shoegaze and emo on Aphrodite. Fresh off his first LA performance and set to return January 22 at The Echo, Rehak channels raw emotion into shimmering soundscapes. The World Will End For Us stands tall with its unforgettable “kiss me with the lights on” chorus, while Ghost drifts with spectral melancholy. I Can Fix You (Release Your Pain) standouts tenfold with cathartic intensity, cementing the EP’s impact. Aphrodite is both intimate and expansive, a heartfelt statement that positions Moral as one of 2025’s most compelling new voices.

Moral on Instagram

My Courtesy by My Courtesy (the jeff and rob label)

My Courtesy’s self‑titled debut EP is a striking testament to DIY authenticity in an era of fleeting trends. Founded by Jeff Falcone and Rob Nystrom, who first connected at Berklee before sparking creativity in a Los Angeles studio, the duo blends early 2000s post‑hardcore grit with cinematic textures and introspective lyricism. Recorded in a whirlwind summer session, the four tracks pulse with raw emotion and layered soundscapes. Mar Vista and Boredom Ritual showcase their dynamic range, while Back When You Knew Me and Emerald Necklace highlight their lyrical depth. Friendship and late‑night inspiration fuel a sound that feels undeniably real.

My Courtesy on Instagram

Arcs by Set For Tomorrow (Thriller Records)

Thriller Records strikes again with their latest signing, the phenomenal Set For Tomorrow, unleashing the stunning Arcs EP to the world. Frontman Eyker Cruz and his bandmates are carving a brilliant legacy in the modern metalcore arena, blending raw emotion with razor-sharp precision. Arcs is a testament to their artistry, with standout tracks like Someone Lonely, Bad Advice, Impulse, and CTRL showcasing both ferocity and vulnerability. Each song pulses with intensity, weaving soaring melodies and crushing breakdowns into a cohesive journey. Set For Tomorrow proves they are not just rising stars but true innovators shaping the future of heavy music.

Set For Tomorrow on Instagram

Say What You Want by Tom A. Smith (Fiction Records)

Tom A. Smith’s Say What You Want cements him as one of the UK’s brightest young rock stars. Hailing from Sunderland, Smith delivers swagger in spades, pairing it with undeniable songwriting chops. Fashion struts with sharp riffs and attitude, while I Don’t Blame You showcases his knack for anthemic hooks that feel destined for stadiums. The EP radiates confidence and charisma, proving Smith has both the style and substance to captivate audiences far beyond Britain. As 2026 approaches, his trajectory toward superstardom feels unstoppable—let’s hope he brings that swagger across the Atlantic to ignite the States next.

Tom A. Smith on Instagram

As we look back on 35 years of amplifying voices across the music spectrum, we’re just as excited about the future—because the noise never stops. Now bring on the music classics of 2026!

(Compiled by Ken Morton for Highwire Daze Magazine)