CₙHₘOₖ=>Organic Matter: All Not Dark 2025

Charlotte De Witte “Charlotte De Witte” (techno | Belgium, KNTXT)

Belgian DJ, composer and producer Charlotte De Witte has long been a known artist in the techno scene. She has reached the top 10 of various DJ charts and received different awards in electronic music for her activities and her performances, both solo and at top festivals, attract tens, even hundreds of thousands of listeners. A non-paid event in her hometown of Ghent in 2025, which attracted over 12,000 spectators, worth special mention. The Belgian began her DJ career in 2010 and her first recordings appeared in 2013 under the pseudonym Raving George. After releasing numerous singles, EPs and remix sets Charlotte finally released her debut full-length album in 2025 on her label KNTXT. The album features 11 classic techno tracks with occasional trance influences, some of which feature guest artists. While collaborations with electronic musician and producer Comma Dee and XSALT are logical, as is probably the case with poet, artist and filmmaker Alice Evermore, the vocals of iconic ethereal singer and frontwoman of the cult Australian project Dead Can Dance, Lisa Gerrard, on one of the tracks was a surprise. Overall, the album is as well-crafted as expected and interesting not only for techno fans but also for music lovers in general.

Daedric “As the Light Left” (alternative metal, metalcore, electronic | USA, FiXT)

The American female-fronted project Daedric was formed in 2021 and its first full-length album was released in 2023. Kristyn's second album "As the Light Left" is released by the known electronic-alternative label FiXT and features 11 tracks in a combustible mix of rock, alternative and electronic genres. Light, melodic alternative metal switches to the aggression and abrupt shifts to metalcore, while electronic components and occasionally entire electronic compositions from various genres of electronic music gives a unique charm. Kristyn uses her vocal range in full, from beautiful clean vocals to harsh screams and occasional growls. A well-rounded diverse work from the American artist, featuring excellent material, both hit and somewhat unique.

Elinborg “Í Ævir” (trip hop, ambient, downtempo | Faroe Islands, Embassy of Music)

Elinborg Pálsdóttir is the younger sister of another Faroese singer Eivør Pálsdóttir. While Eivør works across a wider range of genres, from Nordic folk and alternative pop to jazz sketches and folk rock, Elinborg creates music in an more airy direction of electronic music, combining trip-hop, ambient, downtempo and other electronic sounds. "Í Ævir" is the singer's debut full-length album. It features 10 high-level electronic tracks with Elinborg's beautiful vocals and lyrics in Faroese. A good unusual album.

Enemy Inside “Venom” (alternative metal, nu metal | Germany, Reigning Phoenix Music)

The German band Enemy Inside formed in 2017, releasing their debut album in 2018. Their third full-length "Venom" was out in 2025. Founding member Evan K, who played in Mystic Prophecy and Exit Eden, knows how to create heavy music, while Nastassja's vocals mesh naturally with alternative metal. The album also makes extensive use of electronic genres and Nastasya's rapping alongside clean and aggressive vocals. A good example of original German alternative metal. Guano Apes? Perhaps, but with its own charm and signature style. A good album.

Frayle “Heretics & Lullabies” (doom metal | USA, Napalm Records)

American project Frayle burst onto the metal scene in 2018 and immediately captured the hearts of fans of their viscous atmospheric blend of stoner rock and doom metal. Gwyn's vocals remind a bit of Liv Kristine on Theatre of Tragedy's early work and Frayle's identifiable sound brought them popularity and international recognition. In 2025 the Americans released their third full-length album ”Heretics & Lullabies” and their first on the major metal label Napalm Records. While Frayle's earlier material leaned more toward a stoner rock atmosphere, the new work has firmly moved into the realm of doom metal with stoner elements used less frequently. Regardless, the album is as atmospheric and solid as the Americans' previous work. Frayle continues to create a unique music and solid material.

Kaunis Kuolematon “Kun Valo Minussa Kuoli” (doom metal, death metal | Finland, Noble Demon)

The Finnish band Kaunis Kuolematon formed in 2012 by members of Dawn of Solace, H/L, Sinamore and others. By 2025 the Finns' discography included four full-length albums. Their fifth "Kun Valo Minussa Kuoli" was released on the German label Noble Demon, founded by the former head of digital sales at Nuclear Blast. The new album combines doom metal, death metal and elements of gothic metal. Some of the tracks feature classic gloomy doom compositions with dark metal influences and Finnish lyrics, somewhat reminding early works of Ajattara. Others feature more brutally aggressive death metal songs with sections of black metal, while more tracks ornated with acoustic guitar and distinct electronic elements. An interesting varied work by the Finns with atmospheric keyboard parts. The vocals range from clean to blackened screams and death metal growls. A strong solid album by Finns.

Lady Gaga “Mayhem” (pop, electro | USA, Interscope Records)

Singer, composer, actress and producer Stefani Germanotta, known by her stage name Lady Gaga, began her career in 2005. After writing several songs for other artists, Lady Gaga began preparing solo material for her own album, and in 200, her debut album was released, which immediately brought her popularity, recognition and international glory. Her hits were heard on every music platform and her eccentric imagery, memorable performances and a uniquely personal approach to songwriting have made her a source of inspiration for a new generation of musicians. Listing all of Stefani's awards and achievements is unnecessary. Lady Gaga has become not only a pop music icon and a creative compass for many musicians not just in pop culture, but also an excellent example for a business model. The album "Mayhem" became the seventh full-length album in the American singer's discography and took Lady Gaga's career to a new level. While the vast majority of pop artists are increasingly incorporating more and more mainstream genres into their music, simplifying compositions, relying primarily on vocal parts and pushing the music to the background, Lady Gaga with her unique approach to composition has added techno, disco, pop-rock elements, synthpop influences and even reggae to the sound. Lady Gaga's magnificent vocals sit beautifully and harmoniously with this music. There are compositions here that take you back to the '80s, some sound like '90s hits and others evoke the mood of the 2000s pop culture. The album "Mayhem", in my opinion, has become if not the best in the discography, then certainly one of the best, and in terms of diversity and variability of sound it has definitely brought Lady Gaga's music to the top. For most pop artists, surpassing an album this strong would be a tall order — but this is Lady Gaga. I'm almost certain that her songwriting talent, unconventional thinking and production skills will bring us many more surprises and great songs. Bravo, Lady Gaga! Albums like this are a reminder that pop music can still be thoughtful and well-crafted — not just a disposable product for the masses.

Lord of the Lost “Opvs Noir Vol. 1 & 2” (gothic metal, symphonic metal | Germany, Nuclear Blast)

After performing at Eurovision in 2023 the German project Lord of the Lost received a boost to their career, which hadn't really stalled even before that event. Chris Harms's project released two albums in 2025... Well, they're essentially two parts of one concept, although they'll be separated in the discography, so I've combined the two releases into one entry on this list. In their "Opvs Noir" series the Germans present a total of 22 tracks of high-crafted gothic metal with symphonic metal elements. Chris's vocals have long been recognizable in both the metal and dark music scenes and his compositional craft continues to sharpen, showing steady and confident growth. Cool guitar riffs, memorable melodies, interwoven electronic elements and a perfect sound make these albums one of the best in the gothic metal genre in 2025. Collaborations with musicians from various subcultures, musical genres and levels of undergroundness also add variety. Sharon from Within Temptation, Anna Brunner from Exit Eden and Anna Rose brought a feminine charm to Lorde of the Lost's sound; Chinese-American cellist Tina Guo rooted in chamber music aesthetics; German colleagues Feuerschwanz added folk elements to the guitar-driven opuses; Moldovan band Infected Rain and their vocalist Lena Scissorhands created a contrasting aggressively melodic composition; Lord of the Lost's Eurovision colleague Käärijä added a touch of Finnish madness to the Germans' work; and IAMX and Wiphlasher Bernadotte demonstrated that alternative synthetic components in Lord of the Lost's music also work harmoniously. Well-crafter diverse material that can perhaps be considered the peak of Lord of the Lost's career.

Morcheeba “Escape the Chaos” (trip hop, indiepop, funk | UK, 100% Records)

The British project Morcheeba was formed in the mid-1990s by brothers Paul and Ross Godfrey and vocalist Skye Edwards. This lineup released four full-length albums and earned international acclaim for their unconventional trip-hop sound with downtempo and rock elements. Skye then left the project to start a solo career and the brothers after one album with a different vocalist decided to skip the idea of permanent vocalist, moving to a guest vocals format. Skye returned to the project in 2010. In 2014 Morcheeba’s career was frozen due to copyright issues after Ross decided to leave the project. Ross and Skye subsequently released an album as part of a new project and Morcheeba returned in 2018. "Escape the Chaos", released in 2025 on 100% Records, is the eleventh in the discography of the British band and presents listeners 12 tracks in the classic recognizable sound of Morcheeba. The iconic downtempo, trip-hop and rock that have become so beloved by the audience once again grace the electronic music scene, and Skye's beautiful ethereal vocals once again sound in headphones. A superb professional work not without its experimental elements. Rapper Oscar Worldpeace adds a touch of rap and rhythm to the sound. An excellent album from the popupar and already iconic British project.

Mriodom “Vlies” (doom metal, stoner rock | Germany, Bed Gun Inn Records)

The German project Mriodom formed in Berlin in the early 20s and became active only in 2025. Their debut album "Vlies" was released in 2025. The quartet of Babette, Carla, Kay and Till creates a mix of such genres as doom metal and stoner rock, but the project's significant feature isn't this genre combination, which has long been commonplace in the guitar music scene, but the use of saxophone and clarinet in the music. It is the saxophone sound that makes Mriodom's style unique and unlike other bands. Furthermore, German-language lyrics are also rarely heard in the work of their colleagues. Babette's female vocals also sound excellent. Five long gloomy compositions in a viscous style are very original and unconventional. A new name in the metal scene with very good prospects. The musicians themselves and some media outlets classify Mriodom's work as "sax-o-doom." A very accurate description of the sound. An excellent debut.

Paradise Lost “Ascension” (doom metal, death metal | UK, Nuclear Blast)

The known British band Paradise Lost have played in a variety of musical genres throughout their career, primarily within the metal scene. Their early death metal, doom and gothic metal material have become iconic, while the electronic-focused albums "Host" and "One Second" inspired many musicians to start playing this type of music. At a certain point after wandering through various genres the British band returned to their classic doom/death metal sound. Their seventeenth full-length "Ascension" is crafted in precisely this style. The album offers no genre revelations, no unique features and no stylistic flourishes. It's simply top-level death/doom with the significant recognizable Paradise Lost sound. The growling vocals are interspersed with clean vocals from Nick Holmes, and backing vocals on some tracks of Alan from Primordial, Heather from Tapping the Vain and Swedish vocalist Lawrence Mackrory, who also mastered the album, add variety. “Ascension” is a solid excellent album from a project that, over the years and despite periodic changes in style, has consistently produced high-quality and recognizable material.

The Rasmus “Weirdo” (alternative rock, pop-rock | Finland, Playground Music)

The Finnish project The Rasmus is known in the alternative scene primarily for its hit "In the Shadows", which sounded on all the musical platform and TV channel in the 2000s and brought the Finns popularity. Popularity, however, only caught up with the musicians with their fifth full-length album. The Rasmus initially played a light funk-rock sound without any pretensions to uniqueness or ambition, but after the aforementioned 2001 single and the 2003 album "Dead Letters", everything changed. The Finns gained fame after that and their pop-influenced alternative rock became more recognizable. After the boom of the 2000s, the hype, numerous performances and a couple of more relatively successful albums the Finns somehow faded into the shadow, with their vocalist Lauri starting a solo career, although The Rasmus still existed as a band, performing and recording. The new album "Weirdo" is The Rasmus' eleventh and it has all the chances to bring back the Finns to the top of the charts, although in today's era of music overloading it won't be as easy as it was in the 2000s. The album features 10 tracks that blend alternative rock and pop-rock, with many hits that remain in your head after each listening. A great album. And even if The Rasmus don't recapture their wave of popularity, their smooth cohesive 2025 album will stay in my player for a long time.

Tower “Let There Be Dark” (heavy metal | USA, Cruz Del Sur Music)

The American band Tower formed in the mid-20s and their debut album in a standard hard-and-heavy style was released in 2016. After that the Americans released several singles and an EP, followed by a second album in 2021. This album, which was more cohesive in its sound and concept, received much more positive reviews in the mass media. Their third full-length album "Let There Be Dark" features 10 songs of well-crafted high-speed heavy metal featuring female vocals. Cool moderately harsh compositions with Sarabeth's powerful vocals sound solid and engaging. This is good oldschool heavy metal with its own atmosphere, significant style and concept. A good album for metal lovers.

Wood Witch “Synna Modor” (stoner rock, hard rock | USA, Self-Released)

The members of the American trio Wood Witch knew each other long before they formed the project and regularly interacted through various local bands in Virginia. In 2019 Daniel, Ryan and Wade decided to create something of their own, something that would go beyond just rock. Thus, Wood Witch was born. In 2022 the trio released their first full-length album and in 2025 the second work titled "Synna Modor" was out. Wood Witch plays high-level stoner rock with classic hard rock influences and touches of doom metal and stoner metal. The male vocals’ singing style is similar to the rock music vocalists and the authentic song structure makes Wood Witch not just another rock band, but a band with an oldschool touch in a modern interpretation. A solid powerful album from these Americans worthies of the attention of rock music fans not only of the younger generation, but probably even more of those who loved rock from the 70s and 80s.

Year of the Cobra “Year of the Cobra” (stoner rock, doom metal | USA, Prophecy Productions)

The American project Year of the Cobra was founded in 2015 in Seattle by Jon, who previously played in the punk band Lonely Kings, and Amy. The phrase "Guitars, who needs guitars in heavy music?" that opens the press release for the American duo's new album is not only the project's slogan and musical concept, but also a signature. Year of the Cobra uses only bass, drums and keyboards as instruments. And it sounds absolutely stunning. The band's debut album was released in 2016 and their second album followed in 2019. The musicians themselves, who wrote in the album's press release, consider their new album, "Year of the Cobra," surpasses all previous Year of the Cobra material. They truly improved from album to album, finding and skillfully applying new approaches to sound. Their progress demonstrates not merely that rock music can exist without electric guitars, but the emergence of a distinct American musical identity — marked by a signature sound, powerful and vividly performed yet atmospherically dark, dense passages rooted in stoner rock and doom, all crowned by Amy’s outstanding vocals. Yet another powerful work from a duo that evokes a sense of awe even before listening, simply from the thought of immersing oneself once again in the music of Year of the Cobra.

Amira Elfeky “Surrender (EP)” (alternative rock | USA, Atlantic)

American singer and composer Amira Lynn Elfeky was born in the United States and began her solo career in 2023 with releasing several demos. In 2025 Amira Elfeky opened for the British band Bring Me the Horizon on their US tour and was nominated for "Best International Breakthrough Artist" at the Heavy Music Awards. The American singer released her first EP in 2024, and her second EP is followed in 2025. Amira mentions Linkin Park, Evanescence, Deftones, Lana Del Rey and Lady Gaga as influences. Taken together, these projects are woven into the fabric of Amira Elfeky’s music. Melodic alternative metal with rock and electronic arrangements sounds well-crafted, hitty and engaging. Amira's distinctive vocals are instantly recognizable and the gothic and dark images in her videos and onstage lends a dark charm. Across its five tracks, the EP moves between rhythmic hits, emotional ballads,and mid-tempo compositions that shift from grunge toward a heavier sound, incorporating electronic elements drawn from the synthetic dark scene. I believe the world will hear more about this interesting and distinctive project of the talented American.

Bloom Effect “Oscilón (EP)” (indierock, shoegaze | Canada, Self-Released)

The Canadian indie project Bloom Effect's first recordings appeared online in 2024, and in 2025 they released their debut EP, titled "Oscilón", after two singles. The release features six tracks that blend indie rock and shoegaze with elements of dreampop. The project's vocalist Jula is Argentinian, so Bloom Effect's music alternates and intertwines English lyrics with Spanish. The material is atmospheric with indie vibes and the airiness of dreampop. A classy debut from the Canadians, worthy of attention from more than just indie fans.

Devil's Purr “Silent Words (EP)” (alternative pop, drum and bass, electro | France, Paper Plane)

The French project Devil's Purr formed in 2024 after DJ and producer Cedric, known by his stage name Nulabee, met singer and composer Lola Rose at an electronic music festival. Following a collaboration on one of Nulabee's releases, Devil's Purr was formed. The French duo "explores the intersection of alternative pop and bass music", according to a press release from the Paper Plane label, which released the project's debut EP "Silent Words." Musically it's an unconventional combination of a harder-edged pop with various electronic genres, where drum and bass is the primary component, though techno and electro also pop up occasionally. Lola's distinctive relaxed vocals contrast with the harsher electronic music, creating a unique sound. A good interesting project with unconventional techniques and an intriguing blend of genres.

From the Crypt “Born in the Grave (EP)” (death metal | Netherlands, Raw Skull Recordz)

The Dutch death metal band From the Crypt formed in 2022 in the province of Limburg. The band members had been playing in various local bands since the early 90s, primarily in grindcore and death metal. Their shared devotion to the sound of oldschool death metal brought Ben, Herman and Ivan together. Thus, From the Crypt was born. In 2022 the first demo recordings were out and in 2025 the first official EP "Born in the Grave" was released. Six tracks of true oldschool death metal take you back to the 80s and 90s, the heyday of such giants of the genre as Death and Obituary, which is reflected in the Dutch band's work. Good material with thoughtful compositions, not mindless grinding. A cohesive solid work from the Dutch.

Slaughterhouse “Sick and Tired (EP)” (punk rock | USA, Pirates Press Records)

The American project Slaughterhouse formed in Los Angeles in 2018. Their first works were firmly rooted in the genres of punky deathrock and postpunk and had already appeared among the top list articles of the dark guitar scene in previous years. Over time their sound shifted more and more toward punk, growing sharper, more rhythmic and more aggressive, and in 2025 the EP "Sick and Tired" was released, revealing Slaughterhouse as a full-fledged punk band without any admixture of dark scene genres. Hysterical female vocals and a classic aggressive punk sound without commercial pitfalls make Slaughterhouse's new work, in its own way, authentic to the punk scene. Time passes, the project develops, changes its sound and style, but still remains a top-ranked act regardless of genre. An excellent material of a real punk rock.

Well, and finally, I am publishing an Excel-file with a list of all the releases in all sections that caught my attention during the year: TOPS OF THE YEAR. Stay Unique!