Album Of The Year: Coroner Dissonance Theory
Top 5 (only 4 this year) Contenders:
Century Sign Of The Storm
Scorpion Child I Saw The End As It Passed Right Through Me
7 Seconds Change In My Head
I had a strange feeling about 2025. For months, nothing grabbed me. It wasn’t until May that I finally stumbled onto a release that even had a shot at making my yearly Top 6, and that was a remix of an album I already loved. It wasn’t looking good for quite a while and even with all my searching and hoping, I only ended up with 5 releases I felt were worthy of a coveted spot in my beloved Top 6 post. Yeah, I know, nobody really cares, but I’m not going to fake liking a record if I don’t. So, off we go with the 5 winners.
My 2025 album of the year was an easy choice. I’ve written in the past about how difficult it is for me to get hyped about new releases, let alone one from a band that existed in my teenage years. Yet, once the new album by Coroner was announced, I admit I gained a whole lot of that youthful “I cannot fucking wait!” anticipation back. I’m generally skeptical of bands that rise from the dead after decades away so why trust Coroner? The simple answer is their musicianship and the strength of their earlier work. I just couldn’t imagine these guys resurfacing only to put out something mediocre. Their first four albums are nearly flawless and even their very last record, Grin, although a departure from their typical output, was strong as compared to what metal turned into in the early 90s. I believed if any band could deliver a stunning comeback record, it would be Coroner… and I was right! Dissonance Theory surpassed any expectation I had for the band and sounds as if it should’ve followed their 1991 classic, Metal Vortex. The band is absolutely surgical in its songwriting as the structures and dynamics are pretty close to perfect. It makes sense since they had 32 YEARS to write this record. It’s definitely the heaviest record in their arsenal but still showcases the technical ability that set them apart from the pack in the first place. This is how you do a metal comeback album. More bands should take notes from Coroner. Also, Dear Coroner…I most likely won’t be around in another 32 years, so could you get your next record out a little quicker than that? Thanks! For those not in the know, I’ve already sung my high praises in a review about the new Biohazard album, Divided We Fall; a ferocious return-to-form that proves age hasn’t dulled them one bit. Biohazard albums are hardly ever bad, but they are also rarely at the top of my list. The band found its fire again and are stepping on the heads of the countless bands they inspired. Nearly 40 years in, they’re still effective and Divided We Fall is a raw and heavy reminder that they are NYHC royalty. Sweden’s heavy metal outfit Century was a wonderful new discovery this year. I’m loving this band and if you are into everything about straight-up, no-frills classic heavy metal, you’ll love them too. This band does “retro” the right way. They don’t sound like a carbon copy of their predecessors, but more of a homage to the masters they obviously worship. The singer really brings the songs home with his rough, melodic delivery which fit seamlessly with the music. Listening to Century feels like stepping back into the era when the New Wave of British Heavy Metal swept across the underground scene and reshaped the genre. If the names Tank, Warlord or Satan mean anything in your music world, you need Century in your life. Austin, TX’s Scorpion Child also have a previous review floating somewhere on this blog where I strongly praised them for keeping rock alive. Hard and heavy rock may be becoming a rare creature in today’s music landscape, but Scorpion Child are doing an exceptional job protecting that flame from becoming extinguished. I will admit that when I first heard this album, I wondered whether my excitement came from simply finding something to satisfy my desire for some strong, new hard rock or if it would truly stay with me. I’m happy to say it wasn’t just a short-lived thrill. This album still absolutely rules. If you’re a fan of The Cult, Guns N’ Roses, or anything that lives in between that space, I Saw the End as It Passed Right Through Me will have you hooked. That brings me to my final pick. It’s not possible for me to fully express the importance of 7 Seconds and their New Wind album. In 1986, New Wind initiated a seismic shift for me musically and personally. From that moment on, 7 Seconds became the most important band in my life. Even though I was a fan of crossover thrashers DRI, COC and SOD previous to discovering Reno’s biggest hardcore export, 7 Seconds kicked opened the door to everything in the punk and hardcore realm. Their lyrics influenced me to be an aware person and showed me it’s ok to be a good man. All the songs I wrote many years later in my band Rebel Spies have their thumbprint on every note. As my singer once said about our band, “It’s our love letter to hardcore and punk.” Well, for me, it really was my personal thank you to 7 Seconds. When Change In My Head was announced, I was ecstatic! Since I’m not sure we’ll ever get another original 7 Seconds record, I’m grateful for anything they release. I was especially excited because of what Change In My Head contains. Earlier this year, it was announced that the legendary Ian Mackaye, yes, that Ian from Minor Threat and Fugazi, remixed and reimagined the New Wind recordings using alternative takes, adding compilation-only songs from that era, and a new track list, making it a unique reissue. I was stoked because as big as a place as New Wind holds in my heart, the original production, although charming, is not its strongest element. Change In My Head brings everything into balance. I love the sound! Everything just feels more cohesive now with the guitars sitting perfectly alongside the other instruments. Adding the two songs from the 4 Bands That Could Change the World compilation was a great choice as they balance the faster and slower songs. Although it gained more appreciation and respect as time passed, New Wind was initially heavily dismissed by their hardcore fans as a sellout record. It makes me wonder if this was the version of the album that was released if the punker crowd would’ve been happier with it? With that, 2025 is done. Have super happy New Year everyone!
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