The end of the year is here, and it's time to crown the best metal song of 2025! After a year filled with killer riffs and headbanging anthems, we're ready to celebrate the top tracks that have defined the metal scene. We've been tracking the best new metal songs all year, and now it all culminates in a massive vote to determine the official top 50 metal songs of 2025.
Before we dive into the main event, let's look back at the results of our final weekly poll. Even with a surprise appearance from Guns N' Roses, the top three were dominated by newer acts. Poppy's 'Guardian' took third place, while Alter Bridge secured second with the riff-heavy 'Playing Aces'. The overall winner, and our final weekly champion for 2025, was the thrashing band Divine Chaos, with their absolutely excellent track 'Hate Reactor'.
So, where does that leave us for the songs of the year vote? Below, you'll find a massive playlist featuring our top three picks from each week. We've also added some honorable mentions to the running for the final vote, especially considering we've limited it to one song per artist. This means the song that earned the most votes in a weekly round-up has generally made the final cut, or if a song has made waves in the metal world.
We've already shared which metal songs we thought defined 2025, but now it's your turn to decide which new metal songs have excited you the most. You have 10 votes to allocate, so feel free to explore the list, discover new tunes, and vote for your favorites.
Voting closes on December 22nd at midday (GMT), so you have until then to make your choices. Happy listening, and have a fantastic holiday season! We'll see you in 2026.
What were your favorite metal tracks of 2025? Did any surprise you? Share your thoughts in the comments!
