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We are back with our top albums of 2025, you might have heard of a few of our choices and both of Mike's were on the more obscure side. Dig in for a real fun episode

2025 Music Review

Arch Enemy - Blood Dynasty (Sebastian's Pick)

• Melodic death metal album praised for its classic 90s metal feel.
• Key Track: "Paper Tiger" → Recalls Metallica's "Spit Out the Bone."
• Vocals: Alyssa White-Gluz's growls are clear and intelligible, a key factor for Sebastian.
• Context: White-Gluz departed the band shortly after the album's release, immediately launching a solo single.
• Nite - Cult of the Serpent's Son (Mike's Pick)
  • Authentic 80s-style metal with influences from Metallica, Tool, Iron Maiden, and Black Sabbath.
  • Vocals: "Death metal light" growls are clear enough to understand, which was a key requirement for Mandatory Music.
  • Key Tracks: "Crow" (most-played song of the year) and "The Mystic."
• Yungblud - Yungblud EP (Sebastian's Pick)
  • Six-song EP with Aerosmith, featuring a cover of "Back in the Saddle."
  • Impact: Youngblood's youthful energy revitalized Steven Tyler's performance, making the collaboration a standout.
  • Suggestion: Youngblood needs a dedicated, world-class guitarist (e.g., a modern-day Slash) to form a classic frontman-guitarist duo.
• Wucan - Axioms (Mike's Pick)
  • German band playing 70s-style psychedelic hard rock.
  • Instrumentation: Features keyboards, theremin, and prominent flute (noted as distinct from Jethro Tull).
  • Vibe: Described as a modern album that could have been released in the 70s.
• Miss Monique (Sebastian's Pick)
  • Ukrainian DJ playing melodic house/trance.
  • Format: Releases long (1–2 hour) progressive sets on YouTube, often filmed in remote locations.
  • Style: Subtle, wave-like progression creates a mellow, non-lyrical journey.

Mandatory Music is proudly hosted and produced by Michael Heide and Sebastian Kwapich

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Thanks for listening and keep on rocking