2025 was a somewhat scarce year for fans of punk, hardcore and metal, to be honest, it was a scarce year for most genres as a whole from what I can see looking up from the underground. Considering the mundane nature of 2025 for metal, there have been some astounding glimmers of effort, Deftones’ Private Music showed promise and nostalgia, with the punchy track Milk of The Madonna firmly staying in my listening rotation since it’s release. Motion City Soundtrack tapped us on the shoulder to say hello and pulled The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World out of their back pockets, in a sort of “it’s okay, all is not lost” moment in September, sparking a 2000s pop punk fire in my heart that hadn’t been poked for a while. Nonetheless, neither of these releases, nor any others of any genre, set off that raw passion we all get with our favourite albums like Turnstile did.
Turnstile’s NEVER ENOUGH itched a scratch I didn’t even know I had until this year, sending me on a journey of complete obsession. Joy, aggression, dance, rhythm, grit, noise and… peace? It was as if all the things 2025 had been made up of had been tuned down to one drone, and it was the sound of Baltimore’s hardcore symphony, playing through my head, my voice, my earphones, my tapping hands and the imaginary double kick pedals attached to my feet. NEVER ENOUGH followed me everywhere after its release and still does to this day, in a weird, awesome ghostly haunt that just keeps egging me on.
Getting carried away with how the album wriggled into every aspect of my life was not my only reasoning for this shortlist, the pure talent of the band, and just as importantly their creative vision, made them my only choice. Each advertisement, music video, billboard and social media post I saw gave me chills like it was for a horror movie too cool for me to watch, minimal and aggressive, the band has rocked my year, and my standards forever.
Three More Essential Albums of 2025
- Motion City Soundtrack – The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World
- Loyle Carner – Hopefully
- Deftones – Private Music
Musical Experience of the Year
In a year where listening took precedent over watching, I did have some incredible live music moments. Seeing Kendrick Lamar & SZA command a packed villa park touring the GNX album was the staple “big show” of my year, but nothing compared to the emotion felt watching Robert Plant sing my favourite Led Zep track The Rain Song, right in front of my eyes, with his band Saving Grace. My hero at the age of 77 singing his heart out at the encore of a beautiful evening, and year.
Track of the Year
Turnstile “LIGHT DESIGN”
