PbO₂=>Dense Structures: TOP2025 of Industrial Scene

10. Penelope Trappes “A Requiem” (dark ambient, drone ambient, ethereal | UK, One Little Independent Records)

Australian composer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Penelope Trappes, who resides in the UK, made her debut in 2017 with the release. Penelope has released four full-length albums, numerous singles, a remix release and a complete reworking of one of her albums. Her fifth album "A Requiem" was released in 2025 on One Little Independent Records. The Australian combines experimental music with industrial and ambient aesthetics, atmospheric neoclassical passages and ethereal vocals. It could perhaps be described as dark ethereal with a touch of academic avant-garde. The album is quite experimental, dark and emotional. Great work.

09. Ondrey Zintaer “s n y” (experimental industrial, musique concrete, noise, avant-garde jazz | Slovakia, Self-Released)

Slovak composer and experimental musician Ondrey Zintaer began releasing his solo material in 2018. In addition to his solo work, the Slovak has collaborated with other musicians. Among his most notable collaborations are Japanese drummer Ryosuke Kiyasu, the French noise project Mental Hygiene Terrorism and Orchestra, American noisemakers Crepuscular Entity and Greek noise experimentalists Mai 12. On each album Ondrey experiments with various noise genres, incorporating industrial elements, avant-garde jazz and musique concrète. His new album "s n y" is executed in precisely this vein. Experimental industrial sounds with saxophone, piano and clarinet make the album the height of experimentalism at the intersection of industrial music and academic avant-garde. It's a well-written, engaging work that's not at all boring to listen to. It's a kind of story that makes you wonder what will happen next. Excellent work from the Slovak.

08. Materiæ Abyssu “Aëthÿrinn Na Viixhræ” (industrial darkwave, ritual ambient, oldschool dark electro, downtempo | Finland, Zazen Sounds)

Finnish musician Matron Thorn founded the project Materiæ Abyssu in 2019 and, as of 2025, has released over ten full-length albums and several EPs. Most of the material was self-released. In 2025 the Finn's new album "Aëthÿrinn Na Viixhræ" was released on the industrial-ritual label Zazen Sounds. In his early works the musician created different industrial variations on dark ambient, drone ambient and ritual ambient genres. Later the Finn added a light languid rhythm and ethereal female vocals to his sound, began to flirt with various styles of atmospheric electronic music such as trip-hop and downtempo. On his two 2025 albums he actively used post-industrial electronics, reminding oldschool dark electro. The second album, released in 2025, is less experimental than all the previous ones, but more cohesive and structured. Although all the tracks on the release feature rhythm, and the structure may evoke post-industrial genres, the overall aesthetic, atmosphere and mood of the album still lie in the realm of industrial darkwave with ritual touches. Oldschool dark electro is also present, while elements of downtempo and, occasionally, witch house lend the compositions a spacious sound. Ishtariæ's ethereal female vocals make the music less dark and ominous, but more romantic, mystical and even more feminine. This is a very unusual work from the Finn at the intersection of multiple genres, worthy of the attention of not only fans of industrial music, but also fans of post-industrial genres. This album unquestionably marks the creative high point of Materiæ Abyssu’s discography to date.

07. Hiraeth “Run” (dark ambient, noise, experimental industrial, ethereal | Germany, Silken Heart)

The German project Hiraeth was founded by singer and audio-visual artist Sarah Košicki in the mid-20s. Her debut album "Run" was released on the label Silken Hear. The album features 14 short compositions in various genres of experimental industrial music, ranging from dark ambient to noisy sketches. Atmospheric female vocals add ethereal charm add volume to the music. Sarah's work explores personal experiences, sadness, dysphoria and alienation. This Croatian-German artist's work is deeply emotional yet experimental style, featuring captivating soundscapes.

06. Ghost “Paranoia” (noise, drone ambient | Japan, PRESSORTAPE)

Ghost is the creation of Japanese noise composer Sou Inomoto, known primarily for his work within the scum genre. The project itself was founded during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Sou decided to move away from classic aggressive walls of noise toward soundscapes that straddled noise and various ambient genres. On his debut album "Paranoia" the Japanese combines enveloping dark ambient with the hum of drone ambient and the grinding sounds of noise. The result is quite diverse and interesting. A fine unconventional work for the Japanese noise composer, portrait as a departure from the scum style.

05. The Vomit Arsonist “To What End” (death industrial, power electronics | USA, Cloister Recordings)

Industrial artist Andrew Grant formed The Vomit Arsonist in the early 2000s, influenced by such industrial icons as Brighter Death Now and Navicon Torture Technologies. He has participated in numerous industrial noise projects, performed at various events in the United States and once traveled to Belgium for the Rituals Over Limburg IV festival. Andrew's albums have been released on such known industrial labels as Phage Tapes, Malignant Records and Deathbed Tapes. The American's new work "To What End" is released on Cloister Recordings. The album is a contemplative experimental death industrial album with elements of dark ambient and conceptual power electronics. As always, The Vomit Arsonist's solid work is crafted according to all the canons of the genre, with its caustic dark atmosphere of hopelessness and devastation. Another powerful album from the known American artist.

04. She Spread Sorrow & Luca Sigurtà “The Grimorian Tapes” (dark ambient, death industrial | Italy+Italy, Helen Scarsdale Agency)

"The Grimorian Tapes" is a collaboration between two Italian composers, spanning experimental and industrial music. Alice Kundalini, known for her project She Spread Sorrow, has been creating music since 2014 and has released five full-length solo albums, most of which were released on the known label Cold Spring. Luca Sigurtà has been creating music since the early 2000s, both solo and in various electro-acoustic and industrial projects with other musicians. Alice and Luca already collaborated on at least one of these projects (Junkie Flamingos) in 2019. On their collaborative album the duo created experimental dark ambient music featuring Alice's recitations, Luca's electro-acoustic delights and a dark mysterious atmosphere. The album opens with the phrase "don't be afraid of death" and this concept permeates the entire work, where death appears not as an end, but as a state requiring experience and reflection. Conceptually, the release's material harks back to ancient books of spells, magical practices and hidden knowledge. The press release also states that the album is structured like a magic roulette wheel, with each composition being part of a ritual, a step toward a transcendental experience. Noisy elements of death industrial add variety to the sound and the Italians' extensive experience in creating such sounds makes this work one of the best of 2025 in various ambient genres. A fine collaboration between two Italian masters of sound experiments.

03. Ausströmen “Transient” (power electronics, industrial | UK, New Approach Records)

The British project Ausströmen was formed in 2017 by David Hunt, known for his work with his main project Kontour. In 2018 Ausströmen's debut album was released, which already attracted the attention of industrial music fans. The British musician's discography currently includes three full-length albums, two of which were released in 2025. "Transient" was released on New Approach Records and presents for industrial music audience rhythmic and noisy power electronics with an extensive industrial component. Pulsating compositions with a slight hint of a harsh beat create an excellent sound of modern power electronics with David's distorted declamation. Ausströmen maintains a high level throughout each album, creating cohesive material for industrial music listeners. Solid work.

02. Konservatiw “Homogen” (power electronics | Germany, Unrest Productions)

The debut album by Konservatiw was released in 2025 on the British label Unrest Productions. The project's country of origin is unknown, but it is presumably Germany, although this has not been confirmed. The album, titled "Homogen", is made in the genre of aggressive pulsating power electronics of the 90s, incorporating noise and industrial elements. Konservatiw touches the problem of the modern world order and an uncompromising view of modern society. Struggle, fear, disappearance, questions of identity, collective and individual alienation and a critique of ideologies or forces striving for homogenization and control. The power electronics scene has always raised pressing issues in its projects, so Konservatiw is not an exception. A very powerful work with sharp synthesized compositional structures and the classic industrial aesthetic of power electronics. A strong debut in a classic performance. If, of course, it is a debut.

01. Songe “Daughters” (drone ambient, dark ambient, neoclassics, ethereal, noise | UK, Cruel Nature Records)

Phoebe and Ëlle formed the project Songe in 2023 and in 2024 they released their first demo recordings. In 2025 their debut full-length "Daughters" was out. The British duo create a intricate drone ambiet with elements of industrial, ethereal, noise effects and piano opuses with airy vocals. A very strong album with an unconventional approach to the material, spiced with sound experimentation and a unique atmosphere of mysticism and ritual underlying concept, echoing the early work of the American project Lingua Ignota, only with more blurred genre boundaries and its own sound and atmosphere. A deeply emotional and powerful work from the British duo. An excellent album, that has become one of the most resounding discoveries of the year.

Other honorable mentions: Agonal Lust, Anna von Hausswolff, Bresthaft & Mezire, Darja Kazimira & Zura Makharadze, Distraxi, Feral Torch, From the Mouth of the Sun, H.E.R.R., Kristof Bathory, Lana Del Rabies, Leperwitch, Susu Laroche, syrja