Here we are again. You know what time it is, right?

This year marks the first time there’s a surprising overlap in both of our lists, as if we’re slowly morphing into one musical entity. Luckily, there’s also enough differentiating stuff to maintain our individiual identities. For now. Let’s hit it.

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Wander’s 2025 List of Improbable Cultural Dividing Sounds from The Old World

Huzzah! 2025 is almost behind us, so what can I say about the records that stayed with me? Well, just like my partner in crime, I don’t have room for musicians from the United States anymore. So, is geopolitics finally creeping in on me? Is the cultural divide already a done deal? Probably not, but the fact is that this year, I found myself enjoying music from nearby countries more than ever. The scarlet doom of the Italian foothills, the neon-lit country pop of Ireland, the pipe-organ-shaking cathedrals of Sweden, and the heavy-psych echoes of the Dutch lowlands are all among my most essential sounds. Anyway, if you’re in need of a sad banger, slow-burn organics, or that sparse main-character moment, my list has got you covered!

10. Anna von Hausswolff – Iconoclasts (SftDS Review)
9. CMAT – EURO-COUNTRY (SftDS Review)
8. Anika – Abyss (SftDS Review)
7. Jim Ghedi – Wasteland (SftDS Review)
6. Ghost – Skeletá (SftDS Review)
5. A Fungus – Field Relief (SftDS Review)
4. Messa – The Spin (SftDS Review)

3. Hilary Woods – Night CRIÚ (SftDS Review)

This shadowy, ambient masterpiece feels like a secret that everyone needs to hear.

2. Caroline – Caroline 2 (SftDS Review)

Here is a work full of imperfections and contradictions that are a bit broken, a bit wild, but ultimately are very much alive.

1.Temple Fang – Lifted From The Wind (SftDS Review)

Ready to lose yourself to sprawling 20-minute heavy-psych freakouts? We are all in on the next big thing. Let’s go! 

Best concerts of 2025:

• Gilla Band – TivoliVredenburg – Ronda, Utrecht – Le Guess Who? 6-11-2025
• Temple Fang – DB’s. Utrecht – 29-11-2025
• Dirty Three – TivoliVredenburg – Ronda, Utrecht – 10-12-2025

Anticipated for 2026:

• The Notwist – News From Planet Zombie (12-03-2026)
• Colleen – Libres Antes Del Final (19-03-2026)
• Joanna Newsom – Untitled Studio Album (TBA 2026)

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Ralph’s 2025 List of Stuff to play in a Medieval Bathhouse that Also has WiFi

2025 sucked on a personal level, as seems to be par for the course by now, with a kind of semi burnout marking a new low point. Having developed an uncanny ability to contract every popular common cold didn’t help either. Musically, it was also a mixed bag, with a few absolute standout records but also a lot of releases who basically deserve any spot somewhere between the fourth and tenth places. Anyway, here goes.

10. Havukruunu – Tavastland
9. Pommelien Thijs – Gedoe
8. Sabaton – Legends (SftDS Review)
7. Messa – The Spin (SftDS Review)
6. Ghost – Skeletá (SftDS Review)
5. Helloween – Giants & Monsters (SftDS Review)
4. Arjen Anthony Lucassen – Songs No One Will Hear (SftDS Review)

3. Temple Fang – Lifted from the Wind (SftDS Review)

Lifted from the Wind is a monument of Dutch progressive rock music, and a triumph in intricate songwriting and musicianship. If this band doesn’t blow up in size very soon, I’ll eat my shoe. Maybe both. Seriously people, they’re that good.

2. Zeicrydeus – La Grande Hérésie

La Grande Hérésie deserves a review here. It might get one soon. What it is, though, is a wonderful Greek styled black metal album that oozes old Rotting Christ, Varathron and Necromantia, only more bass driven and hailing from Canada. Mandatory stuff for people who are into that sort of style.

1. Church of the Sea – Eva (SftDS Review)

In my review I kind of described Eva as an album without any tangible highlights. That is wrong, of course, but it’s only wrong because Church of the Sea‘s sophomore record is one big highlight from start to finish. It’s like stepping into a boat and being carried on a journey; sometimes relaxing, othertimes rough and unpredictable. It’s also my favourite musical journey of the year.

Best concerts of 2025:

• Ayreon at An Amazing Flight Through Time – 30th Anniversary – 013 – Tilburg, 14-9-2025 (SftDS Review)
• Temple Fang – DB’s – Utrecht, 29-11-2025
• Sabaton – Ziggo Dome – Amsterdam, 1-12-2025

Anticipated for 2026:

• Ponte Del Diavolo – De Venom Natura (13-2-2026)
• Running Wild – Untitled Studio Album (TBA 2026)
• Savatage – Curtain Call (TBA 2026)

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So there you go! All the best wishes from us over here at HQ. We’ll now take a well-deserved break and bask in some Christmas cheer so we’ll be able to bring you some fresh reviews in the new year. Have a good one, people.

RP & WRM – 271225