Al₂O₃=>Structural Matrix: TOP2025 of Labels

By tradition, the best releases this year were once again were self-released, but labels also delighted the dark audience diversity, young projects and excellent sound. Although self-publishing has been gaining momentum in recent years with information technology and the internet possibilities, labels remain an important link in the dark music scene.

03. House of Inkantation (Germany)

The German label House of Inkantation isn't a pure dark scene label, releasing black metal alongside dark folk, neofolk and various industrial ambients. However, in 2025 House of Inkantation released quite a few interesting and solid releases from the dark scene, making it one of the year's top labels. Folk acts Taivel, Hemlokk, Myrblomst and Zwischenlichten, the well-known project Solblot and a new name from known musicians in the folk scene, Aeldergeyst, made House of Inkantation's 2025 a folky and even neoclassical shelter.

02. Icy Cold Records (France)

Icy Cold Records has long been known locally in the gothic scene for releasing young, interesting projects with a more DIY sound, though this year also saw some excellent studio releases. In 2025 Icy Cold Records released material from young projects like French Anton, Heimberg and Raskolnikov, the Belgian Empereur, as well as older known acts like Whispers in the Shadow, Closed Mouth and Reptyle. All of these albums featured a more guitar-oriented gothic sound with occasional electronic arrangements. The French label maintains a good level of production and is developing.

01. Scanner (Germany)

The leader in well-produced releases and in the overall development of the scene in 2025 is the already respected and well-known German label Scanner, founded by Francesco from [:SITD:]. The label has been releasing albums by giants of the electronic post-industrial and synthpop scene since 1999, and in 2025 Scanner released solid and successful works by Germans A Spell Inside and Absurd Minds, classic dark electro from Centhron, a new work by audio-visual gothic industrialists Grausame Töchter, brought back the Swedes Autodafeh to the scene after a 10-year hiatus and once again gave a call about the old darkwave project Stillste Stund with a single. Scanner has long maintained a high level of quality and released well-crafted material. 2025 was no exception.

Other honorable mentions: Artoffact Records, Swiss Dark Nights