#Sìlvia 2025 best albums

Our writer Sílvia wrote some lines about the best albums for her this year. Check it.

First of all, this is not an Album Of The Year List, or a Top X Albums List… This is the bunch of albums that have captivated me the most this year, the ones I’ve listened to the most, the ones that have kept me mesmerized for hours… for various reasons. 

BUT, of course, I have a 2025 favorite album. One that stands out above all the rest: “What Once Was” by Fimbul Winter. An EP with 5 tracks that break me every time I listen to them… pure emotion, Melodic Death Metal from Sweden the way it was in the glorious 90s: with THAT primitive sound but with a clean production. Stunning melodies blended with a harsh and fierce sound… and very touching lyrics. A band with three ex-Amon Amarth members in its files, a thing that started as a birthday celebration and became a solid act. Honestly, this is a 11/10 for me.

Stygian Fair – The Hidden Realm via Rockshots Records
Fantastic Heavy Metal album with a crystal clear production, plenty of melodies that sound epic and classic, all the instruments sounding in the perfect measure…  With striking lyrics and beautiful vocals, very expressive.

Eldfödd – Risen from the Flames via Edged Circle Productions
This is pure worship of old school Death Metal, started as a one man project by Sebastian Ramstedt but now with a complete and solid lineup, riffs are crushing and vocals are monstrous, and drums will just destroy your sanity. Just warning! 

Voragoth – Storm Obey No Masters! (independent)
A well crafted album with some folk instruments, it’s like an epic fantasy tale. Great atmospheres, brilliant melodies and instrumentation in general… highly emotional, and very powerful! An extremely talented debut album.

Nattfly – Flocken via Kvlt und Kaos Productions
Totally blown away by the sound of distorted violins that play, swirl, entwine and dance as if they are practising a soul cleansing ritual. Low tuned, merging several layers of dissonance along with harsh and agonic vocals and relentless drums… It’s something cathartic.  And damn beautiful!

Jord – Emellan Träden via Hammerheart Records
A captivating album made of atmospheric, emotional, and also dark music. It’s a big display of melancholy with some hints of hope, with spectacular transitions from fast pace to sudden calm, with folkloric touches, a haunting piano here and there… Majestic.

Avdagata– The Apocalyptic Aeon via At Dawn Records
This is relentless Extreme Metal, where guitars play evil riffs and insanely good melodic lines, with drums delivering pure brutality, and savage harsh screams. It’s dark, violent, fierce, and at the same time it contains pure beauty.

Ter – El Darrer Galop (independent)
An album that mixes Folk with Black Metal in a delicious and epic way, creating intense atmospheres, with lyrics about ancient battles and nature. Vocals are perfectly harmonized, and there’s a special emotion that comes from the strong connection with natural surroundings.

Tales of Mike – Human via Fetzner Death Records
This is an album whose music is playing with the dark side of feelings, with a brilliant guitar solo in each song and a varied vocal work. Guitars are melodic, vocals go from slightly harsh to deep growls, and drums play at a heavy pace. Lyrics delve into deep topics, there’s a lot to enjoy here.

Helvitnir – Wolves of the Underworld via Dusktone
This is an overwhelming immersion in the 90s Black Metal classic sound but with a clean production and the spirit of breaking boundaries between the old and the present days.  An album forged in Hell with a devilish sound, pure devastation for your ears. It’s brilliant and addictive.

Sanghrial – Human Depletion (independent)
An offering of purest Old School Swedish Death Metal sound, driven by infectious riffs, merciless drumming and a brutal vocal performance. All seasoned with the constant and hypnotic buzz of low tuned guitars and deeply resonating bass notes. These songs will devour you like a ravenous monster.

This Ending – The Plague Angel (20th Anniversary EP) via Apostasy Records

This one is short, only 3 tracks but it’s like a celebration of endurance over the years: the band is still alive and kickin’.  In this EP there’s a song in Swedish for the first time ever, ”Mörkrets Vingar”, and also a new version of the song “Plague Angel” from 2005. This is outstanding Melodic Death Metal.

***And, I have a special mention for an album that has been re-released this year: “A Forgotten Dream” by Internal Decay (via Vic Records), their debut LP from 1993. I’ve been listening to it on repeat, totally mesmerized, it’s a piece of Swedish Death Metal history and it’s a true gem. With stunning melodies and aggressive vocals in contrast, and a very good use of keyboards providing the songs with a dreamlike atmosphere. Vocals are mostly half anguished, half angry screams; guitars are outstanding when it comes to the solos, and some riffs are unforgettable, played along with a very low vibrant bass; and drums are usually running at a mid tempo, with some outbursts of energy… This album is pure, perfect, and so special! 

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