It has been an interesting year, to be sure—but isn’t every year? We lost some legends this year; we seem to be losing more and more as each year passes, and I still get a lump in my throat every time I hear an Ozzy ballad.
As for highlights, I’ve had a few here at Wall of Sound. Interviewing some of my favourite artists is close to the top of my list, but hanging out with Testament and celebrating Chuck Billy’s birthday at a Mexican restaurant in Perth is at the very top. It was a great night, and by all accounts, the spicy margaritas went down an absolute treat! Special thanks to AJ from Phoenix Touring for making that happen.
As for how I saw the rest of the year, read on below.
TOP 10 RELEASES OF 2025
10. Avatar – Don’t Go in the Forest
9. Halestorm - Everest
8. Lacuna Coil – Sleepless Empire
7. Jazz Sabbath – The 1968 Tapes
6. Cradle of Filth – The Screaming of the Valkyries
5. Health – CONFLICT DLC
4. Soulfly - Chama
3. Testament – Para Bellum
2. Helloween – Giants and Monsters
1. Alien Weaponry – Te Ra
TOP 10 SONGS OF 2025
10. Architects– ‘Everything Ends’
9. Robert Plant - ‘Chevrolet’
8. Alice Cooper – ‘Black Mamba’
7. The Darkness – ‘Walking Through Fire’
6. Mammoth - ‘The End’
5. Linkin Park - ‘Up From the Bottom’
4. Halestorm - ‘Darkness Always Wins’
3. Megadeth - ‘Tipping Point’
2. Testament - ‘Infanticide A.I.’
1. Billy Morrison , Ozzy Osborne – ‘Gods of Rock n Roll’
BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF 2025
Helloween – ‘This is Tokyo’
GIG OF THE YEAR
The gig of the year must go to Bay Area legends Testament. As they were not touring an album, we got a setlist full of classic tracks and a fistful of deep cuts. This was a concert for lifelong fans, and they certainly delivered.
FAV NEW BAND DISCOVERED IN 2025
I’m sticking with my mid-year pick and putting Briggs' rock project Big Noter as my fav new artist.
NEXT BIG AUSSIE ACT TO WATCH IN 2026
Surely it's time The Beautiful Monument blew up in a big way?
FAV ACHIEVEMENT AT WOS HQ
Remember that review I wrote a while ago about the late Paul Di’Anno’s Perth gig? Well, his good friend, musician, and author Chris Dale wrote a book about the Australian tour. My review, published here at Wall of Sound, was reprinted (with permission) within it. Personally, it’s bittersweet, as the book—and Di’Anno’s later life—were both comedic and tragic, but it’s an honour to be acknowledged. You can get a copy of Chirs Dale’s book A Trip to Australia with Paul Di’Anno HERE
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2026?
With Froth and Fury Festival expanding to Perth what's better than a day in the fresh air with some face melting heavy metal.
Words by Gareth Williams
