Dark folk music has it's place in the heavy // alternative space and ROME is at the forefront of turning moody music into masterpieces of sonic landscapes that move and shake you to your core.
On December 19th, the band - made up of mastermind Jerome Reuter - unleashed his last two albums of the year (totalling four in 2025) with both The Tower and The Hierophant making sure they're not left off any end of year lists.
As we settle in with the two album drop, we check in with ROME to take us through his #WoSYearInReview...
TOP 5 RELEASES OF 2025
5. Osi and the Jupiter - Larvatus
4. Werner Herzog - The Future of Truth (audiobook)
3. Steve von Till - Alone in a World of Wounds
2. Von Waeldten - Ins Licht
1. 1914 - Viribus Unitis
TOP 5 SONGS OF 2025
5. Steve von Till - 'Watch them Fade'
4. The Infinity Ring - 'Revenge'
3. 1914 - '1917 (The Isonzo Front)'
2. Darkwood - 'Vieil Armand'
1. Von Waeldten - 'Ariana'
WHICH AUSTRALIAN BAND CAN’T YOU GET ENOUGH OF?
Is King Dude an honorary Australian now? I would pick him. Otherwise I will certainly go with The Church! Love that band. You guys have a lot of good stuff to discover! I had the pleasure of working with some great artists on this first Australian tour, actually. I really like the music that has come out of Australia in general. Obviously, The Birthday Party and The Bad Seeds were quite influential on my musical tastes, but there is so much more to discover.
BEST GIG YOU PLAYED THIS YEAR AND WHY?
Australia had some very nice moments and we had the honour of playing the legendary "House of the Holy" in the Austrian mountains again (which despite its name is rather an unholy gathering in the almost-wild). Ukraine, however, was again the most memorable this year. We played The Caribbean Club in Kyiv, in late November. This was by far the most emotional show due to the audience and circumstances, obviously.
TELL US ABOUT A CAREER HIGHLIGHT YOU HAD IN 2025
I am not saying this because it is you guys asking, but this year`s highlight certainly was to finally visit and tour Australia! I met some very dear people in a beautiful country. What is more to ask! I certainly hope to come back soon!
WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE OF NEW MUSIC
I can only really tell you about the current state of "old music". It is getting better!
ANY SNEAK PEEKS OF INBOUND PLANS NEXT YEAR
Yes, finally a US-Tour again and another solo tour in Europe which will take me to a string of special locations co-headlining with another singer I very much respect. Would love to tell you more, but I am not at liberty just yet.
BEST ADVICE GOING INTO 2026
Improve your cocktail making skills. It will come in handy, I am quite sure.
