Top picks of 2025: The Get Ready to ROCK! Reviewer Selections for December 2025
In the realm of rock and metal music, the year 2025 may be remembered for the heartbreaking loss of Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away shortly after Black Sabbath’s final reunion in Birmingham. The outpouring of love and respect shown for the “Prince of Darkness” was immense and overshadowed by the sorrow. However, Ozzy’s death should not overshadow the other losses and retirements that the rock world experienced in 2025. Many artists announced their retirement, and some had to withdraw from tours due to health issues.
Reflecting on the musical era of Jethro Tull veteran Martin Barre, one realizes that the days of struggling to acquire instruments, creating makeshift amps with parental help, and searching for bandmates through music press ads are long gone. Keeping a band together through extensive touring and media promotion has become increasingly challenging, leading to the end of this era.
The extravagant rockstar lifestyle epitomized by Ozzy Osbourne is a thing of the past as well, replaced by smaller budgets, a fragmented market, and many musicians now juggling day jobs with their musical careers. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in music creation and distribution has created optimism and fear within the industry. While major labels are trying to capitalize on AI, smarter musicians are using it as a tool to enhance their creativity.
AI-generated music has saturated streaming platforms, notably Deezer and YouTube, with Spotify accused of manipulating the system to boost revenue. Despite these challenges, vinyl sales continue to thrive, and several multi-disc sets focusing on classic albums have been released this year, including Whitesnake, Yes, Rush, Bruce Springsteen, and Thin Lizzy.
In the wake of these changes, Get Ready to ROCK! introduced the popular “GRTR! Greats” series, showcasing artists who have consistently impressed the review team. This initiative aims to support artists navigating the evolving music industry landscape with interviews and insights. Even in an era dominated by algorithms and short attention spans, album and gig reviews remain crucial, identifying standout artists and putting them in context for music enthusiasts.
As the year draws to a close, the “Best of 2025” selections celebrate noteworthy albums and artists across various genres. Brave Rival, Katharine Priddy, and Ghost’s ‘Skeleta’ album were prominent choices among reviewers. These selections aim to guide music enthusiasts in making informed musical choices and discovering new artists.
Looking ahead, the industry continues to evolve, with festivals announcing lineups years in advance and a shift towards scouting new talent earlier than ever. The increasing divide between top headliners and mid-level artists poses challenges for musicians and venues alike. The Entertainment Retailers Association’s analysis of recorded music revenues in 2024 revealed a record-breaking year, driven primarily by streaming.
As the music industry adapts to technological advancements and changing consumer preferences, it is clear that the landscape of rock and metal music in 2025 is a reflection of an ever-evolving and dynamic industry.