Top local metal releases of 2025 in Denver
As we bid farewell to 2025 and set our sights on 2026, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the incredible metal music scene that Colorado delivered in the past year. From sensational debuts to powerful albums from seasoned local bands, the metal scene in Colorado showed its strength and diversity in the past twelve months.
One of the standout releases of 2025 came from Primitive Man, who unleashed the heaviest and harshest album of the year. Their raw and intense sound captivated audiences, showcasing the band’s mastery of their craft. Tracks like “Driftwood” and “Chaos Theory” stood out as prime examples of the band’s ferocious energy and musical expertise.
Allegaeon, the Fort Collins tech-death group, proved they still had what it takes with their latest release, The Ossuary Lens. Led by stellar guitarist Greg Burgess, the band delivered a top-notch album that showcased their technical prowess and musical creativity. Tracks like “Dark Matter Dynamics” highlighted the band’s ability to blend acoustic elements with heavy metal, creating a dynamic and engaging listening experience.
Cronos Compulsion emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the death metal scene with their debut album, Lawgiver. The Denver band’s relentless energy and skull-crushing sound left a lasting impression on fans, establishing them as a rising star in the metal world.
Flahoola’s Electric Scythe brought a new level of grit and intensity to the Denver music scene with its debut release. The biker-rock-stoner-metal sound of the album hinted at a bar fight waiting to happen, creating a sense of urgency and excitement in every track.
In the Company of Serpents made a triumphant return with their album A Crack in Everything, pushing boundaries and redefining expectations for the band. Their unique blend of apocalyptic alt-Americana and stoner-doom dirges created a haunting and immersive listening experience that captivated audiences.
Old Deer’s debut album, Someone in the House, exemplified the eclectic and diverse nature of the local metal scene, blending elements of mathcore, post-metal, doom, and metalcore into a cohesive and compelling musical journey. The band’s fearless experimentation and boundary-pushing sound set them apart as one of Colorado’s most exciting up-and-coming acts.
As we prepare to enter the new year, let’s not forget the incredible music that Colorado’s metal scene delivered in 2025. These bands and their albums have set a high bar for creativity, passion, and innovation in the world of metal music, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for us in 2026.