Ghost's 'Skeletá' has been crowned the Album of the Year by Metal Hammer! This announcement is huge, solidifying Ghost's already impressive year. But what makes this album so special, and how does it stack up against the competition? Let's dive in!
Metal Hammer's staff and contributors have spoken, and 'Skeletá,' the sixth studio album from Tobias Forge's theatrical Swedish band, has taken the top spot. It's a significant win, especially considering the strong contenders like Deftones, Sleep Token, and Spiritbox. This victory is the cherry on top of a fantastic year for Ghost, which included a massive arena world tour and their first-ever Billboard 200 album chart number one.
Tobias Forge himself reacted to the news, calling it 'humbling' and praising the album's impact. He emphasized the strong connection between the record, its campaign, and the tour, stating, "This is definitely the best we've ever been. I think that this tour is the best we've ever done." He highlighted his favorite tracks, 'Satanized' and 'Lachryma,' noting how well they resonate with audiences during live performances.
Metal Hammer Editor Eleanor Goodman added that Ghost has had an incredible year, and 'Skeletá' is the perfect soundtrack. She noted that the album's 'creeping existential dread' is wrapped in '70s and '80s AOR influences and an elegiac grandeur.'
But here's where it gets controversial... While 'Skeletá' clearly resonated with critics, did it truly deserve the top spot? Music taste is subjective, after all.
Here's the full list of Metal Hammer's Top 50 Albums of 2025:
- Ghost – Skeletá (Loma Vista Recordings)
- Deftones - Private Music (Reprise)
- Castle Rat - The Bestiary (Blues Funeral Recordings)
- Spiritbox - Tsunami Sea (Pale Chord / Rise)
- Messa – The Spin (Metal Blade)
- Deafheaven - Lonely People With Power (Roadrunner)
- Creeper - Sanguivore II: Mistress Of Death (Spinefarm)
- Turnstile - Never Enough (Roadrunner)
- Lorna Shore - I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me (Century Media)
- Wardruna - Birna (Music For Nations)
- Conjurer - Unself (Nuclear Blast)
- Paradise Lost - Ascension (Nuclear Blast)
- Imperial Triumphant - Goldstar (Century Media)
- Employed To Serve - Fallen Star (Spinefarm)
- The Callous Daoboys - I Don’t Want To See You In Heaven (MNRK Heavy)
- AFI - Silver Bleeds The Black Sun (Run For Cover)
- Architects - The Sky, The Earth & All Between (Epitaph)
- Bleed From Within Zenith (Nuclear Blast)
- Coroner - Dissonance Theory (Century Media)
- Blackbraid - Blackbraid III (Self-Released)
- Havukruunu – Tavastland (Svart)
- Bloodywood - Nu Delhi (Fearless)
- Rivers Of Nihil - Rivers Of Nihil (Metal Blade)
- Rwake - The Return Of Magik (Relapse)
- Halestorm – Everest (Atlantic)
- Blood Vulture - Die Close (Pure Noise)
- Agriculture - The Spiritual Sound (The Flenser)
- Backxwash - Only Dust Remains (Ugly Hag)
- Sleep Token - Even In Arcadia (RCA)
- Cwfen – Sorrows (New Heavy Sounds)
- Malevolence - Where Only The Truth Is Spoken (Nuclear Blast)
- Propagandhi - At Peace (Epitaph)
- Gaahls Wyrd - Braiding The Stories (Season Of Mist)
- Calva Louise - Edge Of The Abyss (Mascot)
- Deadguy - Near-Death Travel Services (Relapse)
- Orbit Culture - Death Above Life (Century Media)
- Jonathan Hultén - Eyes Of The Living Night (Kscope)
- Hexvessel – Nocturne (Prophecy Productions)
- Margarita Witch Cult - Strung Out In Hell (Heavy Psych Sounds)
- Der Weg Einer Freiheit -Innern (Season Of Mist)
- Machine Head – Unatoned (Nuclear Blast)
- Spiritworld – Helldorado (Century Media)
- Vukovi - My God Has Got A Gun (Sharptone)
- Wytch Hazel -V: Lamentations (Bad Omen)
- Paleface Swiss – Cursed (Self-Released)
- Beyond Extinction - Where They Gather (Self-Released)
- Testament - Para Bellum (Nuclear Blast)
- Katatonia - Nightmares As Extensions Of The Waking State (Napalm)
- Lacuna Coil - Sleepless Empire (Century Media)
- Slomatics – Atomicult (Majestic Mountain)
And this is the part most people miss... The article also mentions a special end-of-2025 issue of Metal Hammer, featuring interviews with Iron Maiden, Babymetal, and more.
What do you think of Metal Hammer's choices? Do you agree with 'Skeletá' being number one? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
