Curious what notable personalities in the scene think was great this year? So is TGEFM! So we reached out to some of our favorite luminaries ranging from musicians, label personnel, and more for their “Best of 2025” lists. Now, listen: TGEFM is not a taskmistress. Contributors can write these out however they want. So if it doesn’t actually look or read like a list… and sometimes it really is just a list with no other observations! Who cares?
Midsummer’s best of 2025 comes from a year of rebuilding, reflection and finding their footing again after time away. Returning with a new lineup and a heavier modern hard rock and metalcore approach, the band spent the year reconnecting with what drives them creatively while laying the groundwork for what comes next. That process included writing and shaping new material born from personal struggle and renewal, including their upcoming single “Empty,” due 6 January, 2026. This list reflects the sounds, moments and influences that helped fuel Midsummer’s return and pointed them toward this new chapter.
Our favorite releases of 2025 (in no particular order)
A Funeral In Purgatory – Blind Equation
You Are Safe From God Here – The Acacia Strain
Shadow Work – Despised Icon
The Sky, The Earth & All Between – Architects
Coda – Novelists
The Only Heaven You’ll Know – Caskets
The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been – LANDMVRKS
Kol nidre for String Quartet – John Zorn
Alive & Well – Balance and Composure
Broken Focus – Broken Focus
Silver Bleeds The Black Sun… – AFI
Bad Dad (occasionally called Ed) has been on the periphery of the punk and punk-adjacent scene for over twenty years. While many contributors to this site have musical experience and talent, Ed’s musical claim to fame comes from his time in arguably the most punk rock Blockbuster Video district in NJ where he worked alongside members of Blanks 77, Best Hit TV and Brian Fallon. He is more than just an awful father to his 2 daughters, he is also a dreadful husband, a subpar writer, a terrible dresser and has a severe deficiency in all things talent… but hey, at least he’s self-aware, amirite?
Check out the pathetic attempts at photography on his insta at https://www.instagram.com/bad_dad_photography/