Top 20 Records for 2025

 This is a very difficult list to compile.  I have about 100 releases from 2025 on CD, LP but mostly on FLAC/wav files from bandcamp (about 40 of the 100).   I have not put any of the releases that I play on except the 3rd Ear Experience but the Nepal Death and ØSC- Alotta hella down in Estrela could be on the list as well..   They are hard to order..

Zach Oakley- Kommune 1 (US self Released)

This was technically released digitally in 2024 but only came out on vinyl in 2025 and I just love this record. Funky, 70s style rock, jamming.. Awesome album. Played it so much.. Sadly, not on bandcamp or streaming services.. This awesome set for Orange amps is about as close as you are going to get to hearing the album at the moment.

TEMPLE FANG- LIFTED FROM THE WIND 2LP (NETHERLANDS 2025)

What can I say. One of my fave bands in Europe at the moment and such great folks.  The River is such an amazing track but the all 4 sides are great. 

Frozen Planet….1969- Echoland (Australia 2025)

I was surprised when this one dropped in a month or so ago but wow. I have been spinning it a lot.  I hope someone in Europe will release it on vinyl. I can see it is only out on CD in Australia at the moment.. 

US CHRISTMAS- PRAYER MEETING 2LP (US 2025)

Ok.. this is not new music but the first time this has been available to a wide audience. This is the vinyl remastered version of the first ever release by US Christmas. I own this rare CD, thankfully, but this is a cool and raw version of a lot of tracks that would appear later on some of the albums. Great stuff..

3rd Ear Experience – The Twilight Sutra: A Space Rock Ballet (US 2025)

This is an amazing 80min journey. Get the CD version for the complete 90min ballet.  I was lucky to be invited to participate on this great piece of music.  A must listen for 2025..

SAMSARA BLUES EXPERIMENT- TIME WIZARDRY LP (GERMANY 2025) 

Again, not new music but a compilation of the earliest and rare tracks from SBE, one of the best stoner bands from Germany ever.. Killer stuff...

GIN LADY- BEFORE THE DAWN OF TIME LP (SWEDEN 2025) 

While far from the bands best album, I still played it a lot in 2025 and a lot of great songs. I would love to see them live and might have to go to Spain to see them in 2026 if they come.

ALAN DAVEY- ELEKTRUM CD (US 2025)

Been many years since Alan released a solo album. Since moving to California, he has focused on Hawkestrel, Pink Fairies and other collaborative efforts.  I enjoyed a lot of the material on this album.  NIce to see a sample from Doug Walker (Alien Planetscapes) used as well. 

STEVEN WILSON- Overview DVD (UK 2025)

I only got this on the blue ray and hearing this one in 5.1 is simply awesome. This best album since his early solo albums for me..

CAUSA SUI- LOPPEN 20024 LP + 10” /FLux 2x10"  (DENMARK 2025)

Hard to not have the creative Causa Sui in the top 20 when they give us a powerful live album and cool new studio album.  Great band and nice people..

CASTLE RAT- THE BESTIARY LP (US 2025)

My friend Nils gave me a copy of their first album and then this one dropped this year and wow..  I like it even more than the first one.. Cool band. So sorry I did not get to see them at Sonic Blast (they played too late in the night). 

LÍRA DEL BACCANO/YAMA- TEMPVS DEORVM LP (ITALY 2025)

This is primarily on the list as the LIDB first side of the record is probably the best thing they have ever recorded. What an amazing album side track. Heavy, space rock, prog.... just awesome..

BLACK MOON CIRCLE- A MILLION LEAGUES BEYOND- MOSKUS SESSIONS VOL 1 LP

Despite me not playing on this or with the band since 2023, the band give a powerful and awesome performance with the entire band playing intensely.  Great live album.

FUZZ SAGRADO- STRANGE DAZE LP (BRASIL 2025) 

Christian Peters, is a clever and awesome musician and I am a huge fan of his music and this new group, will dazzle the audience in 2026 when they tour Europe in May-June. He records all the instruments on this album though and there are a lot of great songs from his earliest days of this project. 

ASTRAL MAGIC- IN SPACE WE TRUST CD (FINLAND 2025)

Only a few Astral Magic releases (and lots of Strange Vibrations and others) this year.  This is a nice space rocking release and I played it a lot. Cool stuff..

ETHIVA- BEATEN TRACK LP (SPAIN 2025)

It has been a few years since they released an album and they have a new female singer so that adds a new element to the sound but the band still create great songs and I dig these guys..

HAWKWIND- THERE IS NO SPACE FOR US CD (UK 2025)

Been some years since Hawkwind made my list but this was a pretty damn good effort.

PAPIR- IX 2LP (DENMARK 2025)

Only just got this and I love sides 2 and 4 especially but sees that band a bit more post rocky and accesible as instrumental music can be at times!!  Musician ship is awesome as these guys just have a flow and feel that is so natural.  Cool stuff..

MADMESS- THE THIRD COMING LP (PORTUGAL 2025)

This album was along time in coming but finally came out. The band has stripped away a lot of their space elements and went for a more straight hard rocking wah solo driven psych rock. 

Nukli- Acid Funk (UK 2025)

For a band around for 40 years, this is one of their best studio albums ever. I wish I owned the CD but I have played the FLAC files a lot. Love this one... Congrats guys.