The Five Best Black Metal Albums of 2025!
In episode 249 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas is counting down his five favorite black metal albums of 2025! For my tastes I prefer my black metal on the more artistic side versus the raw primal side. This list will reflect my tastes, but fret not… there will be plenty of evil.
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Bands;
Lamp of Murmuur – https://lampofmurmuur.bandcamp.com/album/the-dreaming-prince-in-ecstasy
Saor – https://saor.bandcamp.com/album/amidst-the-ruins-2
Deafheaven – https://deafheaven.com/
Sakna – https://hypaethralrecords.bandcamp.com/album/de-syv-d-dssynder
Abigail Williams – https://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com/album/a-void-within-existence
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#metal #blackmetal #AOTY
@jgsanti1
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
I feel like Belnejoum is a band that got really under the radar but put out some of the best Symphonic Black Metal in a long time, just look at the lineup and you will see whats up. Really wish they got more recognition, my top 1 album for 2025 by a lot
@alexanderd.driftwoodoffici2128
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
L' Istinto Malevolo Definitivo – "Propaganda Della Prima Notte" (Italy)
@Prizmo4000
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
Bro i cant tell you how much i appreciate you, with all your end of year vids ive found just as much great music this last month as i have the rest of the year. Very grateful and i wish you nothing but the best in 2026
@OldSchoolSaintViking
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
I instantly subscribed to your channel after listening to the Abigail Williams album for the first time! Thanks for the recommendation, a great album. 🤟
@PhilDHeyt
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
I thought Sakna came out last year?
Either way. Cool list.
I would have to add One Of Nine, Panopticon and a late entry for Weft… which has become my AOTY possibly.
Cheers Bro.
@peterock4210
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
Really like Lamp and Abigail. Great picks. Did you try Havakruunu ? Incredible record.
@waltervanbuuren7202
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
I checked out Lamp of Murmur, I can't get by your first pick. Stuck on this album, incredible sound. What a band
@daimonsage_1o818
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
I've been out of the metal loop for just a couple years, as I've been focusing studying up on my hip hop, BUT I came back hard this year. I much prefer the rawer, primal stuff so my list differs. That Lamp was good, but I missed that Sakna. I'll have to check that out. I think I'm at the age that I really realize that I'm a sucker for anything with synths. Here's my black metal list in no particular order:
Collier d'Ombre, Muvitium, Stangarigel, Mournful Moon, Trha, Triumphal Vengeance, Vesperal, Kveldstimer, Gates of Dawn, Blutschwur, Greve, Harlot's Nest, Mesfetor, and The Blood Mountain Black Metal Choir.
@jbk007311
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
People that say modern black is just regurgitated 2nd wave black metal music, haven't listened to the albums on this list. All are excellent picks. 👊
@marleendevries3387
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
one of my favourites of this year is your number 1. This band is not well known here in Belgium but I like it. However, their last album Walk beyond the dark from 2019 was even better !
@solistitiumrecords
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
Solid list. In our opinion the Ulvehyrde (Norway) 'Dødsdømt' album is the best traditional black metal album in 2025
@stevenbenson
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
Sakna is Windir reincarnated. Brilliant stuff.
@BigDawg8907
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
Great list. Deafheaven took my #1 spot for 2025. A true masterpiece of an album. Loved the Abagail Williams record too. Great seeing it get some love
@NorthernEternity
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
Thank you for your interesting video. A b00mer here – I have been around since this style's very dawn.
With all my due respect – is this an US-mostly tier list ? No pun or offence intended, of course.
But… speaking of "CULT" albums and genius musicianship – where's "Ethereal Horizons", actually ? 😉
Cheers ! 🤘🍻 🤘
@juretomic7898
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
Sakna blown me away… Windir meets Uaral!
@mmmnuts5645
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
thanks for sharing – I haven't heard the new Abigail Williams but I like their previous work and they put on a great live show; I will give that a spin
I enjoyed Havukruunu's album this year
@lansvonliebenfels
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
No Hand Path – Μυστικισμός της Ενηλικίωσης
And no other.
@sebyperion
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
The genre is in good health! The branching out into new sounds just makes it more solid and who knows what other marvels we'll get in the future.
I'd like to add the new Labyrinthus Stellarum, Bianca, Nexion, Hjaal and Hyerophany.
@NeonBlazeMusic
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
Exceptionally good recommendations❤❤ Lamp and Saour albums actually got me interested enough in the genre to give it another look and now I finding stuff that makes me happy. Lamp of Murmuur album production is fucking fire❤❤ This is very sonically pleasing
@pgarza1218
January 7, 2026 at 5:54 am
Aarruugghhhhh!!!! SATANNBNNSPAM!!
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