Here we are for my personal top 10 of the year. Let's start with the album I enjoyed the most this year.
10) AVTT/PTTN - AVTT/PTTN
Honestly, at first listen, I was a little disappointed after enjoying the first two singles, but the album grew on me, and I ended up listening to it quite a bit. Mike Patton in a country environment is something I never imagined.
9) Avantasia - Here Be Dragons
Not amongst my favourite of Avantasia's discography but every release under this moniker is quality. And this one got a few killer songs, like the one with Adrienne Cowen, one of my favourite singers in the new scene. Tobias Sammet can't release a bad album.
8) Helloween - Giants & Monsters
Pumpkins reunited version 2, with a more classic album and enjoyable to listen to (compared to the self-titled, released a few years ago). Maybe it lacks instant classics, but almost all the songs are pretty enjoyable.
7) Ellefson Soto - Unbreakable
Usually I'm not a big fan of these kinds of projects but I enjoyed this one thanks to its variety and with some songs I didn't expect, like a beautiful instrumental one or the collaboration with Ripper Owens.
6) David Gilmour - The Luck and Strange Concert
Space for a couple of live albums in the middle part of the chart. Well, this one is pure class with a sort of Greatest Hits live for a giant like David Gilmour, combining Pink Floyd classics and songs from his solo career, including the beautiful latest Release Luck and Strange. One of my favourite albums of last year.
5) Dream Theater - Quarantieme - Live in Paris
Here is another great resume, like the position above. It's the 40th anniversary tour with the return of the king, Mike Portnoy. Yes, LaBrie is not like 40 years ago, but the setlist is absolutely beautiful, picking up songs from (almost) every album.
If there’s a reliable artist, it’s Joe Bonamassa. You can buy his latest record with confidence, knowing it will live up to expectations. A usual mix of rock, blues, and wonderfully emotional ballads. Click on the title for the full review.
I always followed this band. Not a massive fan but I really like their self-titled and a few songs here and there. I gave this album a chance, and it was love at first listen. Energetic, inspired and with lots of great songs. If you don't know the band, give it a try.
In the Spotify recap, it shows as my most listened album of 2025. Not sure if it's true but I believe it. I didn't enjoy much their latest releases but I find this one almost their best in the last 10 years or so, with energy, passion and lots of ideas.
Bingo. The band, in my opinion, released the best albums of their career, with a full Hard Rock Heavy Metal attitude, without "pop" openings and the right production (at least, the sound I want to hear). I love the singles, and even the full album was up to expectations, in its entirety this time (compared to other albums), with a spectacular Lzzy Hale. Well done, guys!