Last Rites Presents: Our Most Anticipated Albums Of 2025, Part 3

And here we are with Part 3 of our Most Anticipated Albums Of 2025. If you missed Part 1 or Part 2… well, correct that and catch up. And onward we go into yet another year of heavy metal glory!

TRICHOMONIASIS – TBA

TBD; New Standard Elite

If you’ve been initiated to the avant-ping antimusic of Trichomoniasis, then you know that not even other bands on the New Standard Elite roster quite prepare you for their particular form of outré brutal death metal artistry. Trichomoniasis uses all the building blocks of rock n’ roll but doesn’t remotely resemble a rock genre (despite still kind of “rocking” in a weird sense). Every part of this band’s sound, outside of the “snare” drum, sounds like some sort of gurgle more than an actual instrument, and the snare itself ‒ “high art” though it may be ‒ would send your high school percussion teacher leaping right off the nearest bridge. Like fellow Restaurant at the End of Music house band Effluence, these are not sounds meant for human ears. This is body horror posing as music.

Trichomoniasis “blessed” us with two albums in 2023, both of which likely (and hopefully) caused admirers (hello) to question their own sanity, but both of which were also quite good, particularly Makeshift Crematoria. It’s hard to know exactly what to expect from a new album, both because they’ve offered little shifts on each release and because the human mind can’t fathom such horrors, but it’ll probably be as offensive to the senses as it is fascinating to a very particular type of mind. [ZACH DUVALL]

Quality Confidence Factor: Chum some of this shit.

MAJESTICA – POWER TRAIN

February 7; Nuclear Blast

One of the foremost challenges for Today’s Human BeingTM is finding things to feel good about. Sure, maybe you don’t like enjoying things and feeling good because getting up means you risk the long way down, but if you can muster the courage to turn toward the light, there’s plenty for you coming in 2025.

For some, it’s enough to know that we’re talking about a new album from Majestica, the Swedish power metal tour de force founded and led by Tommy ReinXeed (né Johansson; ReinXeed, ex-Sabaton).

For the rest of you, Majestica’s is power metal that shines like silver sunlight, featuring Tommy’s warm, exuberant voice piercing gray clouds to tell fantastic tales of heavy metal warriors and their exploits, and paying tribute to their forebears. Tommy’s lead guitar generates as much positive energy and the band reflects it, too, down to the bass, which pulses like Polaris in the night sky. And even in their most ambitious moments they make it obvious that fun is always priority number one.

Please consider the lead single and title track from Majestica’s upcoming new album, Power Train.

Look at all the energy they put into this video. From Tommy’s enthusiastic All aboard! we know what Power Train is all about. The happy passengers represent all walks of life it seems, suggesting that Majestica is for all the people. And references throughout to other bands and other times remind us that this is a band composed of heavy metal fans who just wanna rock. The fun little story fleshes it out with magic and fantasy and, of course, humor. Just look at everybody’s vibrant smiles, especially Tommy’s.

As for the music, it’s built on a classic power metal frame, knowing nods to Stratovarius and Helloween, but it’s got enough of its own voice to stand strong with energetic rhythm and riffs and rousing melodies. It’s not going to knock anybody’s socks off who’s looking for something never done before but, for those of us who still embrace power metal that shines brightly and thaws our frosty cockles, “Power Train” bodes well for the rest of the journey.

*Power Train’s first single, “A New Beginning,” was released last summer and is wonderful, too, but will not be included on the album, apparently. [LONE WATIE]

Quality Confidence Factor: 90 sunshine smileys

KING DIAMOND / MERCYFUL FATE

TBD; Metal Blade

Here’s what I had to say in part 1 of our Most Anticipated Albums from January 2019:

“The only thing that stands in the way of us getting a new King Diamond album in 2019 is Kim Bendix Petersen’s boundless capacity for thoroughness. On March 29th, 2018, King conducted a very lengthy interview with Eddie Trunk where it was revealed that 80% of the new album’s storyline was complete and Andy LaRocque was on the way to Texas to commence work on the music in King’s home studio. Nine months could be enough to see a full record’s worth of new material finalized, but I’d still say there’s about a 50% chance that the album won’t see the light of day until December or early 2020 because Andy and King are voracious sticklers.”

Here’s what I had to say in part 1 of our Most Anticipated Albums from January 2020:

“But yes, there’s a ways to go before the—news flash—first part of this two-album concept finally hits ears. In fact, Andy LaRocque recently disclosed the rather unfortunate truth that there are only ‘four or five [songs] in the loop,’ with a number of other ideas currently swimming around King’s head. Additionally, a portion of the start of 2020 will now be devoted to—holy shit again—the reunion of Mercyful Fate for some exclusive European dates. Pretty tough to complain about that element, because that could also lead to new Fate material? Anyway, both King and Andy are sticking to their ‘late 2020’ guns in interviews, but the likelihood I’ll be writing something King Diamond-related again for our most anticipated records of 2021 is floating somewhere around 80%.”

Here’s what I had to say in part 1 of our Most Anticipated Albums from January 2021:

“Barring some grim, unforeseen Three-Body Problem alien takeover scenario or something equally as inauspicious, it’s going to happen in 2021—this year we will see and hear The Institution, the first of a brand new two-part King Diamond album, and based on a few hints from key members, we will witness a brand new Mercyful Fate record as well. From Hank Shermann’s recent post on social media: ‘All cylinders fired up for 2021 // Mercyful Fate // solo album and much more I can’t talk about.’”

Here’s what I had to say in part 1 of our Most Anticipated Albums from January 2022:

“Who the hell knows. I suppose I’ll just go ahead and expect we’ll meet up right here in a very similar spot in January 2023. Thankfully, both of King’s projects have provided well enough good-to-greatness to last fans a lifetime. Stay heavily patient!”

Here’s what I have to say in part 2 of our Most Anticipated Albums from January 2023:

“There is absolutely no way we will see a new King Diamond and / or Mercyful Fate album in 2023. In fact, if either band releases a new album this year, our very own Zach Duvall will eat 70 chili dogs inside one week while walking around Central Park wearing a shirt that reads ‘THE NEW YORK METS WILL ONLY WIN TEN GAMES THIS YEAR.’”

Here’s what I had to say in part 2 of our Most Anticipated Albums of 2024:

“I’ve never really understood why so many people seem to be against radishes. I get that they’re potent and have a tendency to overpower, but when sliced nice and thin to play the proper role as a supporting act? Deeeelicious! Do yourself a favor and get some tasty tacos from an authentic taco truck run by someone’s sweet abuela and I guarantee you’ll find some delicious thin-sliced radishes alongside some pickled carrots. Radishes: totally terrific.

Ain’t no way we’re seeing a new King Diamond or Mercyful Fate album in 2024.”

And now here’s what I have to say in part BLANK of our Most Anticipated Albums of 2025:

Let me make this imminently clear: I have the greatest respect for King Diamond and what he’s done for heavy metal over the course of a ridiculously laudable 40-plus year career. I have seen King Diamond and Mercyful Fate live more times than I can remember, and I will never tire of spinning both bands’ discographies right up to the point where my consciousness finally decides to split from this sphere.

That said, I would also very much appreciate Andy LaRocque’s efforts in locking King inside whichever room / crypt / studio is best suited to inspire his creative juices until a full record from either band is fully written. No outside world, no smell of burning rubber from the pits of some TX speedway, no kicking the ball around outside with the kiddo, no mosh, no core, no trends, NO FUN UNTIL THE DEED IS DONE. And for the love of all that’s ghastly, no continued releasing of one song every year to wet our beaks. Get off the tour bus, get into crunch mode, and get a 40+ minute release into our dying ears.

ON THE OTHER HAND… King doesn’t owe us a damned thing, especially considering the wealth of music already laid down for prosperity. So, why be an A-hole about it? I think it’s just… well past the time to cease with the teasing and plop or get off the pot.

(No, I do not believe we will see a new King Diamond or Mercyful Fate album in 2025.) [CAPTAIN]

Quality Confidence Factor: Your shoe’s untied

HAVUKRUUNU – TAVASTLAND

February; Svart

This year will mark five long, sad years since the stupendous Havukruunu released a proper LP. Back in 2020 Uinous syomein sota climbed ever so high on our year end list claming a righteous spot in the Top 10. So no pressure (ei paineita), amirite?

It’s safe to say that the vast corridors of the Last Rites castle will be echoing with the blasts of Havukruunu when their newest LP, Tavastland, is released in late February. Whether that album is going to be received as well as their last remains to be seen, but if I was a Magic 8-Ball I might say that “all signs point to yes.”

And how can they not? Havukruunu brings the battle-riddled black metal complete with swords, bloody deaths, ghostly kings, and just enough choir vocals to make even the most stalwart Christian turn towards Paganism — at least it’s an ethos. Expect a thick soup of swirling riffs, cymbals clashing like swords upon the battlefield, blast beats pounding like horse hooves, and plenty of tension inducing (and releasing) moments. You’ve got a little over a month so start polishing your chain mail and honing the edge of your broadsword for we ride at dawn! [MANNY-O-WAR]

Quality Confidence Factor: 89.3%

WORM – TBD

TBD; 20 Buck Spin

You know what happens when you assume, right?

It’s been more than three years since the release of the band’s last full-length Foreverglade. While they conjured up the MLP Bluenothing and a split with Dream Unending in the years since, I’VE WAITED LONG ENOUGH — I’M READY FOR 40 MINUTES OF NECROMANTIC BLACK DOOM.

Worm mastermind Phantom Slaughter wrote some of the finest funeral doom in recent memory on Gloomlord and the aforementioned Foreverglade, and with with addition of Phil Tougas, I’m anxious to hear what an LP sounds like — hopefully another mucky concoction of swampy riffs and cosmic solos. Phantom Slaughter is an extreme metal historian, so I’m also stoked to hear which influences he pulls from this time, in addition to the Evokens and Disembowelments he’s already necromanced.

I think the album drops in 2025, and knowing Worm, I have October circled on the calendar. [BLIZZARD OF JOZZSH]

Quality Confidence Factor: 85%

CRYPTOSIS – CELESTIAL DEATH

March 7; Century Media
PREORDER

This Dutch trio is a relative newcomer to the scene, having only formed in 2020, but didn’t dilly dally as they ripped through the space-time continuum with their 2021 debut, Bionic Swarm. Album number one was more than a half hour of techy, space-blasting thrash. While the majority of the songs fell in the hyperspeed category like “Decypher,” Cryptosis wasn’t afraid to create an atmosphere and slow things down like a gravitational pull into a black-hole crush on songs like “Prospect of Immortality.”

On the debut, bassist and backing vocalist Frank te Riet is credited with mellotron, but on the upcoming Celestial Death, he has added synths to his repertoire. As that would signal, the lead track, “Faceless Matter,” lets the extra instruments shine through a bit more. There are still whirling riffs, but they’re more strongly paired with synths that sound like dramatic choral chants. The song is like a space battle with laser-sharp tremolo shreds, pulsar blast rhythms, and synth explosions to make things feel bigger while Laurens Houvast’s raspy bark calls out the orders. This will be the type of album that confirms when the aliens reveal themselves to us, it will be more like Independence Day than Close Encounters Of The Third Kind – they’ll be shooting all sorts of green shit at us. [SPENCER HOTZ]

Quality Confidence Factor: 85%

 

Posted by Last Rites

GENERALLY IMPRESSED WITH RIFFS

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