TOP 10 PUNK RELEASES OF 2025:
STARFIGHTER'S PICKS

Here we are once again. My longest new years tradition, apart from also somehow always being sick. There are no rules (both splits and re-releases count and bands can repeat) this time. Here we go!

Dishonorable mentions
Very good but didn't make top 10:

Black Dog - Sewn Into Confusion / CAN / 7" Listen here
Attack The Enemy - Mässäker / FIN / Cassette Listen here
Auto Sear - Demo / USA / Cassette Listen here
Frigöra - Fullständig Frigörelse / JAP / LP Listen here
Nisemono - Nisemono / USA / LP Listen here
Förgör - V / SWE / Cassette Listen here
The Massacred - Nightmare Agitators / USA / LP Listen here
Dismay - No Guilt / USA / Digital Listen here

10. Languid - Shove Their System Up Their Ass

Canada / LP / D-Takt & Råpunk Records, Desolate Records
Listen here

Filled with attitude and heavy hitting d-beat this album is a given on this list. In the past I didn't really give Languid any attention until someone told me it's in the same ballpark as Meanwhile - and when I realized that I had a lot of catching up to do. If they increased the BPM on this album it would've made it even further, but it's here none the less!

9. Exploatör - Apokollaps

Sweden / LP / Phobia Records, ByeBye Productions
Listen here

Exploatör keep churning out bangers in a steady pace! It's incredibly good, just as long as you're in the mood for Totalitär-style hardcore (since Exploatör pretty much is a continuation of that band). It's as intense as ever and I can't really point out something I'd want done differently when it comes to the Totalitär/Exploatör sound.

8. Ultimate Disaster - For Progress...

USA / LP / Kick Rock, Grave Mistake Records
Listen here

When I reviewed this earlier this year I said Ultimate Disaster were remarkably similar to Glorious? and that's a very good thing. So good in fact that they ended up on the list! The only thing keeping them from climbing higher is that it's a bit too clean. I want more! MORE!

7. Nightfeeder / Verdict - Död Åt Tyranner

USA & Sweden / LP / Phobia Records, Children Of The Grave Records
Listen here

As it wasn't enough with Svaveldioxid/Destruct, here's another very strong split. It's like all my favorites joined forces one way or another this year. I'm growing more and more fond of Nightfeeder for every release, and the same can be said for Verdict. Full speed ahead! I saw the bands being called all-star bands but I don't care about that, if it wasn't great for what it is it wouldn't end up on this list!

6. Nagasaki - EP

Sweden / EP / Fucked Noise Sound
Listen here

Nagasaki's new EP is just as good (if not even better) as 'Kriget Utan Nåd' released back in 2022. They easily secure a spot in my top 10 for being ridiculously primitive in all the best ways. Like I said in my review earlier this year they kind of sound like Anti-Metafor but dirtier. Unrelenting kängpunk at its finest.

5. Dispose - Deathcult

Sweden / Cassette / Bomberna Faller
Listen here

Ever since I heard their tape 'Future Or Grave' (2018, No Name Distro) I've been completely hooked on these guys. I asked if I could release 'Imagenon Disponible' on tape but they told me someone was already on it (*cough* still not out *cough*) but they had more material on the way; Deathcult. It's just what you'd expect from Dispose. Primitive d-beat hardcore without any bells or whistles and I can't get enough of it!

4. Shitcontrol - Hungriga, Frusna & Lamslagna

Sweden / Cassette / Brus Tapes, Mosslik, Misslynt
Listen here

For me this is the best band that formed this year. Sure, all members have been playing for years and the lineup is the same as late Panikattack, but the name is new and I'm counting it as a newcomer! This is really good kängpunk, and 'Hungriga, frusna och lamslagna' has all the components of a future classic.

3. Destruct / Svaveldioxid - Split EP

USA & Sweden / EP / Prescription, Children Of The Grave Records
Listen here: Destruct side / Svaveldioxid side

Two of my absolute favorites on the same piece of vinyl. That's like when Disease and Dispose did a split. And Totalitär and Disclose. And Affect and Löckheed. My thoughts on Svaveldioxid are (spoiler alert) coming further up the list. Destruct is quickly shaping up to be, like I said initially, one of my favorite bands and for good reason. Have they ever released anything bad? I don't think so! Sitting comfortably between d-beat hardcore and crasher crust I can't get enough of them.

2. Psych-War - Psychotic Warmonger

USA / LP / Agipunk, Archaic Records, Sore Mind
Listen here

Hell yes! This is an insanely strong debut LP. It's angry, it's hefty, it's flirting with heavy metal. I mean... For fans of Anti Cimex. Do I even need to say more? It sat comfortably on the #1 spot in this list for several months! Up until just a few days ago, when a certain album dropped...

1. Svaveldioxid - Misär O.D.

Sweden / LP / Phobia Records
Listen here

Svaveldioxid's new LP arrived in the nick of time, with just days left of 2025, but it unsurprisingly made its way straight into the top 10. Mean guitars, snarly bass, brutal pummeling d-beat and stern vocals delivering attention-grabbing lyrics. It's great! It's Svaveldioxid! Full review coming soon, and in case you missed it: I also did a big interview with them back in April.