2025 threatened to be a year of crushing existential foreboding … a year of vulgar democratic erosion, racism, and sensationally grotesque hyper-nationalism. Violent weirdness. But, we managed to thwart most of it. Here are some observations and some highlights: 5. Dog Soldier
The debut Dog Soldier album was a big critical hit … a culmination of international techno-wizardry and conglomerate Aussie Rock Gawdness! We look forward to Australian and European tours in 2026. Buy the album here.
(Incidentally, special thanks to Ernie Oppenheimer for taking on mixing duties for both aforementioned bands. It’s a thankless, godless undertaking, doncha know?!)
6. Calamity
What would any year be without personal calamity and grave misfortune?
My shitty eyesight is legendary, and a “surprise” requiring emergency surgery shut down all plans for the latter part of 2025, including several recording sessions and festivals, and the tour that was to support the release of the aforementioned Dog Soldier album.
C’est la frickin’ vie!
7. Spiritbox from Canada
I have a perverse thing for metal bands with chick singers. These guys make a decent noise with a goodly amount of actual songwriting n’ stuff.
8. Deep Sea Diver from Seattle
Inadvertently continuing with the chick singer thing, this indie band is surprisingly powerful and marvelously colourful.
* * * * *
Welp! 2025 was a rocket ride, indeed! Mostly my life consists of sitting on my ass, feeding the cats and family, and bumping my head on the low ceiling in my music room.
It was beyond wonderful to see #2 son and his girl in Galicia this year, plus a few surprise passer-throughs!
What’s left to say but to wish you all an optimistic and cheerful cruise into and through 2026.
