Top 20 Albums of 2025
It’s finally here! Blacforje has compiled the top 20 albums of the year - 10 of our favorite albums in black metal and 10 of the best in dungeon synth. 2025 was the year for some outstanding releases, many of which we could not celebrate here. However, this is our selection that we believe embodies the year’s quality releases most appropriately. Enjoy!
BLACK METAL
Top 10 Albums of 2025
#10 - To Carry On by Morke
It was a good year for castle metal, and Morke’s To Carry On is castle metal done right. It’s melodic, medieval-leaning atmospheric black metal that feels like riding through foggy ruins with a sword you found in a chapel. The album packs its 35 minutes with bright, lilting guitar leads, steady forward motion, and just enough grit in the shrieks to keep it from turning into pure Renaissance-faire daydreaming. The Obsequiae influence is apparent (and Obsequiae is even featured on the album), but it comes across more personal than pure mimicry, especially on tracks like “Ashes of Feudalism” and the title cut. It’s a tight little adventure record and hard not to replay if you’re into that medieval-black-metal sweet spot. – Seph Hawkins
#9 - The Chosen Path by Henere
Raw and authoritative, The Chosen Path absolutely pummels the ears with fury, rage, and pure energy. The music is both chilling and inflamed with madness. As the album artwork indicates, there is a semblance to an icy and dark atmosphere throughout the record, which is fantastically composed. Most of our black metal albums of the year fall into the atmospheric black metal subgenre, while this one doesn’t fit that description. Rather, this record sits somewhere between raw and atmospheric, balancing on a wire for the listener to never quite get comfortable with any interpretation of the musical drift. It’s a very strong release from the artist, and we’re hoping for much more from them in the future. – Andrew Voigt
#8 - For Whom We Sing New Troparia by Hesychast
Ancient and haunting, Hesychast released a long-awaited album in For Whom We Sing New Troparia that has greatly satisfied fans of the band who have been longing for new music since their last release in 2016. The Orthodox black metal act delivered a powerful and introspective release that embodies their ethos as a band. There is no shying away from their Orthodox roots, with eerie chants and echoes of eastern instrumental influences. It is both alluring and alarming, awaking the listener to something more eternal and mystical than this current world. – Andrew Voigt
#7 - Swing Thy Sickle And Reap by Eternal Gaze
Eternal Gaze’s Swing Thy Sickle And Reap was a sleeper hit I kept going back to this year. It has big, emotional riffs and airy shimmer, but with a real bite underneath. The second album from Nashville musician Vincent DeMarco fits firmly into the modern melodic/atmospheric lane (think the sweeping uplift of bands like Deafheaven or MØL) in how the guitars crest and the songs move like waves instead of just blasting nonstop. It keeps circling this apocalyptic, harvest-and-judgment imagery without getting corny. It also leans into more aggressive and heavier territory than Eternal Gaze’s debut, which is something I felt it needed more of. It’s an excellent second album that places Eternal Gaze even higher on my radar. – Seph Hawkins
#6 - A Pathway to the Moon by Unreqvited
Catharsis is often central to black metal, and atmospheric black metal artist Unreqvited is perhaps one of the best artists to gaze into nature, the stars, and the world around us to reflect and feel a larger connection to those around us and beyond. Previous albums like 2016’s Disquiet and 2020’s Empathica reveal that 鬼 (Ghost), the creative master behind Unreqvited, knows how to balance beauty and grief in a manner so expert that it sets too high a standard for many other artists wanting to accomplish the same. The artist’s most recent release, A Pathway to the Moon, continues to explore similar themes while making an impressive leap into new sounds and creative direction for the one-man project. - Seph Hawkins (taken from this previous review)
#5 - Blood Presidium by Cataclysmic Warfare
Cataclysmic Warfare’s Blood Presidium is Christian extreme metal that goes full-on war metal. Rather than the other clean-cut metalcore breakdowns that Christian metal is known for, this indulges in filthy production and chaotic blasting. It’s got black metal’s nasty aura, death metal guts, and just enough thrash-y dive bombs and grooves. What makes it hit is the tension: the sound is pure scorched-earth violence, but the lyrics frame it as spiritual warfare and judgment. Fallen angels on “Accursed Spawn,” communist persecution on “Ritual Barbarism,” and the ugly thread from Moloch to modern evil on “Millstones for Moloch.” If you can handle war metal at its most hostile and you’re not allergic to explicit theology, this one’s heavy in every sense. – Seph Hawkins
#4 - Citadel of the Stars by Theoden's Reign
Citadel of the Stars is pure Tolkien black metal comfort food. Heralder improves on Theoden’s Reign’s music with patient, medieval grandeur, crafting marching rhythms, starlit synths, and tremolo riffs that feel like an epic trek. “The Gates of Caras Galadhon” sets the scene in glowing Lothlórien tones, the title track nails Osgiliath’s gorgeous ruin, and the medieval touches slide in smoothly on cuts like “Thranduil’s Halls” and “As an Ashen River Flows...”. If you like your atmospheric black metal immersive, this one’s a must. – Seph Hawkins
#3 - Dawn of the Iron Shadow by ONE OF NINE
At #3, One of Nine’s Dawn of the Iron Shadow stands out as one of the best Tolkien metal albums of all time (in my humble opinion). It seamlessly blends Tolkien’s darker, cosmic themes with atmospheric black metal. The album delivers relentless riffs and explosive drumming for a visceral experience, and One of Nine also skillfully integrates dungeon-synth elements like ethereal choirs, haunting bells, and other medieval motifs. It creates an overall sound that is grand and epic, much like Tolkien’s works. Tracks like “Age of Chains” evoke struggle and defiance, while “Dreadful Leap” delves into the emotional toll of heroism. The closing track, “Death Wing Black Flame,” provides a majestic finale. Overall, Dawn of the Iron Shadow offers a heavy, immersive, and uplifting Middle-earth metal experience that is unmatched. – Seph Hawkins
#2 - Remnants for Remembrance by Vials of Wrath
VoW has been producing beautiful black metal for over two decades, mastering the subgenre of atmospheric black metal with their harmony of nature, melody, harshness, and grace. Remnants for Remembrance is nothing short of another top-tier release from the legendary act, stirring listeners to draw close to the Divine and seek what is eternal. Few artists know how to take a genre like black metal and weave it with nature in such a glorious way as Vials of Wrath. Once again, they have outdone themselves. – Andrew Voigt
#1 - Burning Embers, Forgotten Wolves by Autrest
As our choice for the #1 album of the year, Autrest has gifted us another masterpiece that is unrivaled in the atmospheric black metal scene. After the release of their first album, Follow the Cold Path, Autrest has expanded their repertoire with nature-infused ambiance in this release that inspires thoughts of the wild and untamed landscapes of fall and winter in Burning Embers, Forgotten Wolves. Sophomore records are very difficult for any artist, especially when the first album was well-crafted and resonated with listeners. Autrest is clearly not shying away from being faithful to their artistry and unique voice, which listeners can hear throughout their music. Fantastic work. – Andrew Voigt
DUNGEON SYNTH
Top 10 Albums of 2025
#10 - The Curse of Niloticus by Pauldron
Pauldron’s The Curse of Niloticus feels like a quest log. It plays like a pulpy desert-fantasy campaign. Niloticus’ creeping curse wrecks the peaceful land of Eshara, and you follow a hero deeper into the heat-haze ruins and monsters that lurk there. The album bounces between ominous march-mode like “Once Peaceful Lands,” strange detours like “Leper Bellydance at the Mirage Inn,” and full-on set-pieces like “Parade of the Crocodile Army.” Pauldron wraps all of this in a hazy, adventurous synth glow. – Seph Hawkins
#9 - The Toad Folk II by Tales Under The Oak
Reminiscent of 1980s synth blended with mythology from films like Labyrinth, there is an eerie and beautiful atmosphere to The Toad Folk II that is enrapturing. The very sounds of the forest intertwined with mysticism echo throughout the album, narrating a nostalgic tale of magic toads, fantastical adventures, and an unknown future. Whether you’re a fan of toads or not is irrelevant. The ambiance and mystery presented here is applicable to most fantastical adventures in literature, film, or gaming. Artists like Tales Under The Oak have given dungeon synth such a beautiful variance within the subgenre. For that, we are thankful. – Andrew Voigt
#8 - Sir Godric by TopfHelm
TopfHelm’s Sir Godric is a 55-minute, 15-track medieval fever dream that feels like a lost soundtrack to a blood-soaked crusader legend. We were impressed that the physical cassette includes a narrated story, making it feel like a complete world. Musically, it features rustic folk instruments. Such as bagpipes and hand drums, blended into dungeon synth to create an immersive experience. The tracks range from crusade scenes to introspective moments and hallucinations. It shifts between grim and beautiful, ending with a cathartic finale that blends tragedy and dark humor. – Seph Hawkins
#7 - Tome Zero by Erang
Enter into a dimension of magic and mystery with Tome Zero, the latest album from dungeon synth legend, Erang. As is standard fare with the artist, the album is brilliantly composed and enrapturing throughout the journey. To say that Erang is one of the greatest acts in dungeon synth would be an understatement. Tome Zero lives up to the standard set by the preceding albums, reminding us of another world within our minds that is filled with wonder and enigma. – Andrew Voigt (taken from this previous review)
#6 - pseudanthium by Hermit Knight
Hermit Knight’s pseudanthium captures the calm repose of taking a breather at a bonfire in Dark Souls. It is a proper, comfy fantasy synth album, but it contains a real emotional punch. The album comprises expertly constructed contemplative builds that swell into those satisfying, misty crescendos that Hermit Knight does so well. The Bandcamp notes make the context hit even harder. It shares that it was written in the last days of Jason J. Cat and dedicated “for those we have lost & for those who keep fighting… keep moving forward… never give up.” This context makes the entire album a bittersweet triumph that taps into the serene peace of nostalgic liminal spaces, rather than pure escapism. – Seph Hawkins
#5 - Inner Sanctum by Gelure
Gelure’s most recent album, Inner Sanctum, leans into the more contemplative and meditative aspects of dungeon synth. It captures the sensation of studying difficult books of wisdom while experiencing embarrassing solitude to clear one's mind in prayer and contemplation. The artist shares (on their Bandcamp page) that the album is “an offering at the altar of silence and contemplation. Created between 2021 and 2024.” The album is no small feat, landing just below an hour runtime, and the span of how long these songs were crafted shows, as each brings a distinctive moment. – Seph Hawkins (taken from this previous review)
#4 - Ironmaster by Atlantean Sword
Quite possibly owning the claim to the ultimate album artwork of 2025, Ironmaster is a blend of mystery and fantasy that holds weight, beauty, and mystery in perfect balance. Atlantean Sword has proven over time to be a valuable contributor to the dungeon synth subgenre, and Ironmaster is one further addition to their repertoire. From sounds reminiscent of the dulcimer to the beating of ancient war drums, there is a unique embrace of Medieval music that Atlantean Sword conjures that takes the listener to another world entirely. This is music best suited to classic literature and fantasy, yet enjoyable in many other contexts. Another great release from a fantastic artist. – Andrew Voigt
#3 - Wings Beneath Krynn's Moonlight by Mythráen
If music could tell the story of slaying dragons, conquering ancient foes, and feasting in victory in ancient halls, Wings Beneath Krynn’s Moonlight would be such an album. Mythráen is absolutely masterful in their ability to craft a magical and enchanting atmosphere through both Medieval melodies and modern synth. “Under the Trees of Solace” is a track that perfectly embodies the artist’s ability to taken the listener back in time to an age that never actually was, yet it seems it magically could have been. This is what great dungeon synth is able to conjure – a story more than just a melody. Mythráen does a fantastic job of creating such a world for the listener to envelop themselves in fantasy and mystery. – Andrew Voigt
#2 - Beneath Sun & Soil by Unsheathed Glory
Unsheathed Glory’s Beneath Sun & Soil offers an adventurous descent beneath the Khusramli Mountains. It captures that Underdark essence with a cozy, exploratory vibe, blending wonder with lurking danger. The opener “Pursuit of Forgotten Depths” establishes the journey, while tracks like “Through Fungi and Fireflies” introduce a warm groove rarely found in dungeon synth. The middle section showcases a glowing civilization in “In the Heart of Lumethoria: The Glowing City,” before shifting to a darker tone with “Abandoned Catacombs” and “Cult of the Soulweaver.” The album culminates in a frantic closer that ends on a cliffhanger. This album excels in narrative-driven world-building, making it a treasure for TTRPG GM’s seeking immersive scene-setters. – Seph Hawkins
#1 – Eternal Winds of Ash & Ice by Hellige
Our top pick for dungeon synth this year, Hellige’s Eternal Winds of Ash & Ice, transcends the typical sounds and conventions found throughout the genre to create an impressive composition of music in general. Hannah Wilkinson creates medieval, sacred soundscapes that are warm and have a human touch, making the uplifting moments feel earned. Tracks like “Wreath of Kingsfoil” exude regal grandeur, “Emerald Flesh” offers a dark, march-like feel, and “Weighted Wings” transitions from a lullaby softness to a frantic orchestral feel without losing hope. Even minimal pieces like “The Snow It Melts the Soonest” feel healing. Mixed by DIM, it sounds expansive yet intimate. This is fantasy music that seeks to sanctify the world. – Seph Hawkins
