[2025] A Must-See for Western Metal Fans! A Roundup of the Latest Popular and Noteworthy Songs

Nights Like TheseDRAIN

DRAIN – “Nights Like These”

Drain, from Santa Cruz, California.

Formed in 2014, the band solidified their current crossover thrash style when vocalist Sammy Ciaramitaro joined the following year in 2015, and they’re definitely one to watch.

This track, released in June 2025, celebrates themes of band friendship and life on tour, with producer Jon Markson capturing a raw, live-in-the-room feel.

It’s the lead single from the forthcoming album …Is Your Friend, and it’s a must-hear for anyone who discovered them through past releases like California Cursed or the landmark Living Proof.

If you’re craving energetic hardcore, start with this song.

AfterglowDreamwake

Dreamwake – Afterglow (Official Music Video)

Based in Connecticut, USA, Dreamwake are a four-piece drawing attention with their innovative sound “Wavecore,” which fuses synthwave and metalcore.

Their work released in June 2025 layers fierce riffs, emotional melodies, and striking synths to create an irresistibly nostalgic atmosphere.

This release also features saxophone, further expanding their sonic palette.

It’s a lead single from their upcoming album “The Lost Years,” slated for an August 2025 release, and they’ve got a North American tour lined up supporting Thousand Below.

If you’re into fresh metal experiences or nostalgic soundscapes, be sure to check it out.

Death Above LifeORBIT CULTURE

ORBIT CULTURE – Death Above Life (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Orbit Culture, who began their activities in southern Sweden in 2013, are steadily raising their profile on the scene with a sound that fuses melodic death and groove metal influenced by Metallica and Gojira.

Their first advance single since moving to Century Media, taken from the album Death Above Life, is truly one to watch.

As the band themselves describe it as “darker, heavier, and more horror-inspired,” the track powerfully portrays themes of breaking with the past and rebirth, rendered through ferocious riffs and a cinematic, grand-scale progression.

It will be included on the eponymous album slated for release in October 2025, following the MV drop in June 2025, with its live debut planned for Download Festival.

A must-listen for anyone seeking heavy, dramatic metal.

Silence Like The GraveParadise Lost

PARADISE LOST – Silence Like The Grave (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

Paradise Lost, pioneers of Gothic metal that the UK proudly claims, are back.

The track they unveiled ahead of their September 2025 album Ascension perfectly captures the essence of the band.

Within a riff-driven heavy sound, an irresistible groove and beautiful melodies meld together, while the contrast between Nick Holmes’s death growls and clean vocals instantly draws listeners into their world.

Released as a single in June 2025, this song marks the opening chapter of Ascension—their 17th studio album and their first in five years since Obsidian.

A music video has also been released, and anticipation is building for their performances on the upcoming European tour.

It’s a work steeped in profound allure—irresistible not only for long-time fans but for any metal listener seeking darkness intertwined with beauty.

FearlessPRESIDENT

PRESIDENT – Fearless

President, a mysterious masked band from the UK that made a sensational debut in May 2025, is drawing attention across the music scene despite their unknown identities.

Committed to masks and anonymity, they pursue straight-up metalcore.

Their second single, released in June 2025, is a melodic yet aggressive heavy rock tune, making waves for its rapid turnaround—about a month after their debut.

The sound is formidable, with attacking riffs, a muscular beat, and a thick production that weaves in electronic elements and cinematic flair.

Following their debut release, “In the Name of the Father,” this new track ramps up the momentum.

They’re also slated to perform at Download Festival in June 2025.

If you’re into metalcore or hard rock and want to feel the surge of a buzzworthy band, definitely check them out.

Mechanical ChaosShadow of Intent

SHADOW OF INTENT – Mechanical Chaos (Official Music Video)

Shadow of Intent, based in Connecticut, USA, began as a studio project in 2013 and has since become a standout band in the realm of symphonic deathcore.

A track they released in June 2025 from the album “Imperium Delirium” showcases the band at their very best, brilliantly fusing technical deathcore, grand orchestration, and elements of melodic death metal.

Centered on a heavy theme that condemns the dehumanizing nature of modern unmanned weaponry in warfare, the official music video further underscores its message.

Combining complexity with crushing power and a dramatic flair, this piece will resonate strongly with extreme music fans seeking a profound, immersive world.

Acid RainVolbeat

Volbeat – Acid Rain (Official Lyric Video)

Hailing from Denmark, Volbeat is an internationally renowned band known for skillfully weaving diverse elements like hard rock, heavy metal, and rockabilly into their sound.

The track they released in June 2025 appears as the third song on their ninth studio album, God of Angels Trust.

This piece stands out for its groove-laden heavy riffs, honed over years, and its subtly melancholic melodies, all suffused with a spiritual atmosphere.

It showcases a new side of Volbeat—a must-hear not only for rock fans but for anyone who appreciates compelling music.