From melodic death metal anthems to genre-blending experiments, 2025 has already delivered some of the most exciting, genre-pushing heavy music in years. Whether it’s a band exploring new sonic territory or leveling up with technical finesse, these ten tracks are must-listens for any fan of modern metal, metalcore, and beyond.
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Bloodred Hourglass – Royally Done
Album: We Should Be Buried Like This (Out October 3, 2025)
If you haven’t heard Royally Done, you’re missing out on a defining moment for Finnish melodic death metal outfit Bloodred Hourglass. The band weaves together brutal, crushing riffs with soaring, anthemic melodies—offering a tension between sonic intensity and lyrical themes of societal decay and apathy. For the first time ever, the band features a guest female vocalist: Sofia Ricar. Her presence adds a fresh dynamic and depth to the song’s layered arrangements. Built from a looping guitar melody developed in early production stages, the track evolves organically, showcasing the band’s ability to balance brutality and emotion. It’s one of their strongest efforts, and it sets the stage for what could be their most ambitious album yet.
My Ticket Home – Urethane
Released: July 11, 2025
Urethane marks a significant stylistic shift for My Ticket Home, leaning into their grunge and nu-metal roots while expanding their sonic palette. The track is melodic and atmospheric, with layered textures that bring out both angst and beauty. Listeners will hear a noticeable balance between clean, melodic vocals and harsher screams, creating a duality that reflects the song’s emotional weight. While longtime listeners of the band’s hardcore-influenced beginnings might feel the contrast, I praise the song’s maturity and atmospheric depth. It’s a bold new chapter that shows My Ticket Home isn’t afraid to evolve.
Revnoir – Night Terror
Released: May 16, 2025
Following the cinematic and orchestral leanings of their earlier track New World, Revnoir pivots into sheer sonic violence with Night Terror. It’s a full-force auditory assault—combining thunderous riffs, punishing breakdowns, and razor-sharp vocals. But what makes it truly stand out is its layered use of dark electronic textures, an element that sets Revnoir apart from the crowd. Lyrically, the song channels raw frustration and psychological unrest, effectively creating the sensation of a mind unraveling. It’s a track that refuses to sit still, embracing heaviness without sacrificing creativity—proving Revnoir’s versatility in a crowded heavy music landscape.
Midwinter – Blood Bag
Released: June 24, 2025
Midwinter has quietly been building a reputation for technical excellence, and Blood Bag might be their breakout track. The song is defined by intricate guitar work, commanding drumming, and a balance between soaring clean vocals and gritty harsh screams. The breakdowns are a highlight—intense, precise, and built up with tension that explodes in your freakin’ face. This could be the track that finally gets Midwinter the recognition they deserve. It’s powerful, polished, and proof that underground metal is thriving.
Orbit Culture – Death Above Life
Released: June 10, 2025
Orbit Culture continues to expand their sonic universe with Death Above Life. A heavy, brooding track that leans into darkness while embracing cinematic depth. The song incorporates strings, piano, and sweeping dynamic swells, elevating it from a standard riff-heavy banger into a full-on epic. Lyrically, the track explores themes of liberation, specifically, the power of walking away from toxicity rather than being destroyed by it. It’s a departure that’s both conceptual and compositional. I love its ability to blend emotional weight with crushing musical power. It’s Orbit Culture at their most dynamic and perhaps most dangerous.
Alien Weaponry – Blackened Sky
Album: Te Ra (Released March 28, 2025)
Combining traditional Maori roots with forward-thinking metal, Alien Weaponry’s Blackened Sky is both culturally resonant and emotionally charged. The track features gang vocals influenced by Haka chants, a thunderous rhythm section, and a steady, bottom-heavy bass foundation. Lyrically, it addresses modern anxieties—social media’s psychological toll, the overwhelming scope of global crises, and the feeling of helplessness that results. Lead vocalist Lewis de Jong switches between raw screams and soaring cleans, showcasing his range while delivering a socially conscious metal anthem that’s as catchy as it is cathartic.
Dying Wish – I Brought You My Soul (Your World Brought Me Despair)
Released: February 26, 2025
This emotionally charged single from Dying Wish hits like a gut punch. Vocalist Emma Boster takes center stage, pushing her vocal range to new heights while the band leans into a more melodic, introspective direction. Still rooted in the band’s classic metalcore sound, I Brought You My Soul (Your World Brought Me Despair) introduces subtle evolutions: cleaner production, more dynamic shifts, and an openness to moodier textures. The lyrics tap into themes of personal trauma and collective despair—reflecting the mental health struggles of a world in crisis. It’s a standalone track, but it hints at bigger things on the horizon.
Breakdown of Sanity – The Hunt
Released: May 2, 2025
After the departure of longtime vocalist Carlo Knöpfel in 2024, The Hunt marks a new era for Breakdown of Sanity—and it’s a strong one. The new vocalist has been well-received, bringing fresh energy to a track that pulls heavily from the early 2010s metalcore blueprint. Think Parkway Drive, Erra, and the band’s own classic albums like Coexistence, Perception, and Mirrors. The production is top-tier, elevating both the heavy and melodic elements. For fans who feared a decline, The Hunt is a resounding affirmation: Breakdown of Sanity is back and more focused than ever.
Queen Kona – Big Fish
Released: June 20, 2025
Queen Kona doesn’t play by genre rules. Big Fish blends metalcore, djent, and electronic music into a moody, complex soundscape. The band’s use of synths adds texture and atmosphere, while the breakdowns are slow, heavy, and tailor-made for live chaos. Vocally, the track alternates between aggressive screams and melodic cleans. The ambition and experimentation in Big Fish make it a standout in a scene increasingly driven by formula. Queen Kona is carving their own path.
Deadlands – Wither
From the EP SEVEN (Released June 27, 2025)
Wither is pure aggression distilled. Easily the heaviest track on Deadlands’ EP SEVEN, it delivers a relentless barrage of screams, growls, and clean vocals—all powered by the versatile and commanding Kasey Karlsen. The song embraces a dark, cinematic tone, matching the apocalyptic themes of the EP as a whole. There’s no shortage of breakdowns and those signature, guttural exclamations metalcore fans crave. The bass tone alone is worth the listen, rumbling beneath the chaos with undeniable force. For fans of metalcore that doesn’t pull punches, Wither is a must.
Whether you’re craving emotionally raw anthems, genre-bending innovation, or pure sonic brutality, these ten tracks showcase why 2025 is already a standout year for heavy music. Time to update your playlist—you’ve got a lot of catching up to do.
