Posted by 2025 Saw the final gig of Black Sabbath and the sad passing of Ozzy Osbourne. Megadeth announced that their next album and tour will be their last – I’m sure Motley Crue said something similar 10 years ago… As well as the release of a Spinal Tap sequel, 41 years after the original, and the horrific, and very recent, passing of the director Rob Reiner.
Ghost’s new album Skeleta topped the US billboard charts and the Alice Cooper group released their first album since 1973. The ever cheerful Neil Young headlined Glastonbury, after several weeks of will he wont he hokey cokey. He was joined there by The 1975 (that po faced bunch with Denise Welch’s son in) and Olivia Rodrigo (me neither), as well as a slightly doddery Rod Stewart in the Sunday legends slot. Also, some famous covers act from the 90s patched things up, reunited and charged a bomb for tickets.
With all that in mind here are my favourite albums of the year, click the links to read more.
5. Biffy Clyro – Futique
After four years, personal struggles, side projects and doubts over their future, the inimitable Scottish trios 10th album Futique is a cracking display of the band at their best. It covers the gamut of their sound, big arena anthems (‘A Little Love’, ‘True Believer’), sentimental ballads (‘Goodbye’), raging rockers (‘Hunting Season) and a touch of prog (‘Woe is Me, Wow Is You’). It’s good to have them back.
4. Amorphis – Borderland
Finnish sextet Amorphis have released yet another mighty fine and multi layered melodic death metal album. From the hummable yet hefty ‘Dancing Shadow’ and the bruising ‘Bones’, to the intricate and epic ballads ‘Tempest’ and the ‘Lantern’ – Borderland mixes death, folk and symphonic metal elements into a more accessible, but still hugely bombastic 50 minutes.
3. Suede – Antidepressants
Forget that Mancunian covers act that toured a bit this year, the 90s britpop band you need to listen to is Suede. Their new record Antidepressants is a raucous post punk and gothic inspired blast, eschewing the cinematic scale and conceptual leaning of their recent works. It hits all the trademark Suede notes – rousing anthems like ‘Broken Music for Broken People’, sunny pop songs ala ‘Sweet Kid’, the moody and atmospheric ‘The Sound and The Summer’ – and they sound as vital and energised as ever.
2. Joe Bonamassa – Breakthrough
The restless bluesman is at it again, instead of showing off how dextrous his fretwork is Breakthrough‘s focus is purely on songcraft and melody. With a healthy helping of funk and soul, irresistible tracks like ‘Drive By The Exit Sign’ chief amongst them, Bonamassa’s 17th record is a right hoot. From the irrepressible honky tonk of ‘Still Walking With Me’ to fiery rocker ‘Trigger’ it has a varied but balanced sound and is one of his best.
1. The Night Flight Orchestra – Give Us The Moon
Those cheese loving Swedes have offered up yet another slick and insanely catchy collection of AOR and soft rock in Give Us The Moon. This is the octets seventh album and the quality, as well as their love of flying, show no sign of dipping. ‘Shooting Velvet’, ‘Miraculous’ and ‘Like The Beating of a Heart’ are just some of the many, guilt free highlights.
And in places six to ten are The Darkness – Dreams on Toast. Volbeat – G.O.A.T. Cheap Trick – All Washed Up.
Wet Leg – Moisturizer: Isle of Wight indie rockers and lovers of the ‘Chaise Longue’ Wet Leg are back with their second record – a punchy, weird and wonderful collection.
Testament – Parabellum: the thrash metal legends have made yet another great record, this one is heavier than usual with death and black metal adding to the brutality. Chuck Billy’s vocals are something to behold.
Lofty Music and Film 