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

LilacKatatonia

KATATONIA – Lilac (Official Video) | Napalm Records

Sweden’s pride, the melancholic metal band KATATONIA, unveiled a powerful new song in April 2025.

It’s their first track under a new lineup following the departure of founding member Anders Nyström, with new guitarists Nico Elgstrand and Sebastian Svalland joining the fold.

The piece masterfully intertwines Jonas Renkse’s crystalline vocals, a hypnotic groove, hefty riffs, and progressive elements.

Serving as a lead single for the album “Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State,” slated for release in June of the same year, it not only carries a wistful melodic sensibility but also hints at a fresh musical direction.

This track comes recommended not only for metal listeners but also for any music fans drawn to pensive melodies and a satisfying rhythmic flow.

BØNESCRAPERMachine Head

MACHINE HEAD – BØNESCRAPER (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

In April 2025, American heavy metal band Machine Head released a track that fuses ferociously heavy guitar riffs with melodic elements.

The song unleashes the band’s signature aggressive sound while portraying universal themes of inner darkness and lost love.

It serves as the lead single from their 11th studio album, UNATØNED, hinting at the album’s overall direction.

A limited-edition run of 1,000 vinyl records is scheduled for release on June 17.

Machine Head has firmly established their place in the metal scene, including a notable moment when they were nominated for a Grammy for their 2007 album The Blackening.

Combining musical depth with a strong message, this track is recommended not only for heavy metal fans but also for listeners who enjoy a more melodic sound.

IIISleep Theory

Sleep Theory – “III” (Official Music Video)

A new song from Sleep Theory, a band from Memphis, Tennessee, has been released and will be included on their debut album Afterglow, due out in May 2025.

Fronted by lead vocalist Cullen Moore, a former Army veteran, the band has forged a one-of-a-kind style that blends alternative metal reminiscent of Linkin Park with elements of R&B.

This track is based on Moore’s personal experience of betrayal by someone he trusted, and paired with storming guitar riffs, it’s a moving piece that channels inner anger and pain.

Give it a listen on a night when you want to sink into a heavy sound that weaves together calm and intensity.

CaramelSleep Token

Sleep Token – Caramel

The enigmatic masked band Sleep Token, based in the UK, released a striking single in April 2025 that weaves together R&B dynamics and fierce breakdowns.

Vocalist Vessel, known for a wide vocal range, delivers an impressive performance spanning from clean melodies to intense screams, drawing attention as the lead single from the album “Even in Arcadia.” An innovative promotional campaign in collaboration with a North Carolina meteorologist also generated significant buzz.

Their mysterious aesthetic and genre-defying sound are best experienced immersively with headphones on a quiet night.

under the knifeThornhill

Thornhill – under the knife

Thornhill, the mavericks drawing attention from Melbourne, Australia.

Having steadily evolved from their 2019 album “The Dark Pool” to 2022’s “Heroine,” they released a track from their album “BODIES” in April 2025.

Interweaving impassioned vocals with beautiful melodies, this work dynamically and memorably portrays emotions wavering between love and desire.

There’s even a glimpse of the story that they worked late into the night in drummer Ben Maida’s living room—resulting in a song that balances rawness and refinement.

A must-listen for anyone interested in alternative metal or nu metal.

HeatwaveDreamwake

Dreamwake – Heatwave [Official Music Video]

The four-piece band Dreamwake from New Haven, Connecticut released a new song in November 2024 that features a distinctive sound blending screamed vocals, synthesizers, and saxophone.

With their unique fusion of metalcore and synthwave, the track stands out for its emotive melodies and heavy riffs.

The band says the song “captures the nostalgia of looking back and realizing things will never be the same,” offering listeners an experience that feels fresh yet somehow familiar.

Released via UNFD, the track also comes with an official music video—be sure to check it out.

Green SerpentJINJER

JINJER – Green Serpent (Official Video) | Napalm Records

The new track from Jinjer, the Ukrainian four-piece progressive metalcore band, centers on metalcore yet surges between calm and chaos with a breathtaking sound that sets them apart through sheer originality.

Their ensemble playing is artful, and the sonic world that fuses brutal heaviness with jazz-inflected elements is nothing short of astonishing.

Serving as the lead single from their album Duél, slated for release in February 2025, this song is a dramatic piece where Jinjer’s signature lyrical beauty and searing aggression unfold in complex ways.

The contrast between vocalist Tatiana Shmailyuk’s growls and clean singing is masterful, making it an ideal entry point to their musical identity.