Hello everyone. I didn’t participate last year however this year im looking to provide some insights. As always, im staying true to the traditional to Monochrome Heaven days for this review. For those who aren’t familiar or forgot, you can view this topic here: “Jrock Awards 2019”. This year was rather weird albums wise. I feel like there was a lot more prominent offerings non-vkei wise compared to prior years.
Note: Im going to size down some categories this time around compared to my last post
Best Overall Artist/Band in 2025
Summary
Lynch.
My goodness this band ABSOLUTELY blew my expectations out the water with their re-recording album. I honestly felt like this helped older fans of lynch re-kindle their likeness for the band more so while also keeping fans of the new style entertained as well. I also know people like both styles so thats fine as well. As someone who got into this band super late i have to say their re-recording releases were amazing. Not only is the mastering is done super well these albums made it easier for me to get into the old stuff without having to deal with poor mastering of the originals and also gave me more of a sense on how vocalist Hazuki (葉月) old vocal style was like. It was gritty, raw, and provided a type of distortion that at first listen was uncomfortable. Im sure to some it might be not their cup of tea but in a way it grew on me more. The updated instrumentals also didn’t slack at all. They a tune in such a way that makes every note sound clear even down to the atmospheric vibes they sometimes portray.
GREEDY DEAD SOULS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_qR5Cv78yw
Starting with GREEDY DEAD SOULS, there is something about this album that hooked me. This was honestly my first introduction to this album. I was listening to the album in the background one day and started to get hooked on the lyrics on legit the 2nd or 3rd listen.
After listening i actually went back to the original and was trying to listen but i disliked the poor mastering, however i understood the direction. Its honestly like they took the album and breathed SO MUCH new life into it and it honestly amazed me. The album overall feels balanced. When you get to the softer tracks they feel calm and not in a boring way and on the faster paced track there is this crazy energy surge that feels great.
GOD ONLY KNOWS / UNDERNEATH THE SKIN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaPeGUeG90Y
Not a bad introduction to the re-recordings, i defiantly added some tracks from this album and UNDERNEATH THE SKIN but wasn’t as into them as the GREEDY DEAD SOULS album. I think that its still a strong album tho and some accents here using in the GREEDY DEAD SOULS album. I also wasn’t as into avoided sun i still need to do another few listen threw to see.
SHADOWS / THE AVOIDED SUN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30s1y1iBihE
Both albums were interesting, some of the tracks here were done not how i expected. I will just give some highlights below on some of the tracks. I know some people got thrown back by the track “I DON’T KNOW WHERE I AM*”* being in rewritten the in Japanese. This i felt was a smart move on Hazuki’s part and i do like the new change. AMBIVALENT IDEAL was a interesting track. I know some people like it, im a bit split on how it sounds. For some reason i find myself going back to the original because of the tonality Hazuki used for chorus and also some structure. Dont get me wrong i still think its a fantastic track i just think there are some part with the execution/timing on when he screams and when uses certain vocals in this track could have been a bit better. This is just me nick picking. Overall tho SHADOWS keeps that amazing energy similar to GREEDY DEAD SOULS and that similar audio quality. Overall all amazing content that lynch dropped this year and i think the sheer volume and overall inpact their early works had on Loud-kei is worth this top spot for this year.
Top 5 Best Overall Albums
Summary
1.) BABYMETAL - METAL FORTH
THIS ALBUM 1000% is number 1. I thought that babymetal couldn’t get any better but this tops a lot of what the have shown for babymetal as a band. The title is a play on words, meaning “beyond metal” and features different artists from various bands across the globe names like: Tom Morello, Polyphia, and Poppy (United States); Spiritbox (Canada); Electric Callboy (Germany); Bloodywood (India); and Slaughter to Prevail (Russia).
This is probably one of the most ambitious album to date and definitely takes the number 1 spot for 2025. There are many different styles shown within this album that in a way brings babymetal’s personality as a band to life in ways i wouldn’t be able to describe fully.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEMVgy51kPE
(This song is super addicting) 
2.) lynch. - SHADOWS (Retake version)
I spoke about this album already in the previous topic. I found tho this one in particular out of the lynch albums stood out to me. Not that the others are bad or aren’t good, another reason why i really like SHADOWS is because this album is the first release that introduced me to lynch in the first place so seeing this re-done in such a profound way had me in tears. Thank you lynch for such a amazing release 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iyhm3dSh4A
3.) Utsu-P - PERFECT PERSONA
Utsu-P did it again. I really give it to them for this one. Im sometimes blow away by how unique they make songs sometimes. I thought HAPPY PILLS was peak this is as good if not better. This band/artist knows how to make songs catchy but at the same time share their vocaloid like style of music. This album is no exception, this album is stacked with variations of techno-beats and in some cases different voices. This album felt like a chaotic trip that i never wanted to leave. There are parts where its super heavy while other time its super poppy. I noticed also throughout the album in some song there is some word play used while also thrown in english words. I believe Utsu-P has done this in the past before however here some select tracks it was done in a cool way. Overall one of the best albums released this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw70hM5_G7o
4.) Sadie - REVIVAL OF MADNESS
Okay i briefly spoke about this album over discord and ill eventually do full reviews on all Sadie Revival albums. Here i will list the good aspects. REVIVAL OF MADNESS was actually a good release for several reason although i want say i didnt like 3 tracks fully… er more or less have mixed opinions about them. I put this toward the bottom because i didnt like MADARA at all. It felt like such a lack luster track compared to the original. Aside from this, while ignoring some of Mao overproduced singing style in some tracks, the album as a whole is honestly good. Some key highlights include tracks like: DEAD END, bleach, and Jealousy. Some things that really surprised me about this album was some of the changes to bleach and DEAD END. Idk why DEAD END felt like one of the best songs on the album and i asked myself WHY 
. Honestly them removing that annoying autotuning part in the original gave the track air to breathe. I feel like thats all this track needed, oh and Mao having re-recording of the vocals helped as well. I welcome all changes to that track 100%.
Now hears a random thought, makes me wonder if they would have re-did the vocals from GANGSTA, would it be a better album?? 
Now thats def a subject ill save for a different topic O_o. I guess for now this is the best spot i can put this album at for this year anyway 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vz_r9E-xj8
5.) ユナイト (UNiTE.) - FANTASTiC
We HAVE to talk about this come back. This band i feel belongs at 2025 for having one of the best comebacks as a band overall. This i believe is their first actual album with the new vocalist. Not mention the two re-recording albums they did with the new vocalist this year. This album as a staggering 20 tracks and i feel gave an upbeat vibe and provides a unique/fresh take for ユナイト (UNiTE.) as a band. There is something about this new vocalist delivery that make him stand out to compared to other typical song that have this sort of struncture. That pair with some of the unique synths they use through the album makes this one of the best ive heard so at least from what i heard so in 2025. Unite taking number 5 for me.
Best EP of 2025
Summary
he best EP goes to XANVALA!!
XANVALA - ANCHOR
This EP i felt really spoke to me or gave me signs that this band is coming back. I kinda feel off of this band on their third album or so. I didnt find them to be as captivating. This EP surprised me out the gate and i feel XANVALA is really starting to make a comeback for the better. I excited and i really hope that this next album whenever it comes, really blows everyone away. Some track highlights include: Ark and 僕の神様 (Boku no kamisama).
I like how in ark its such a good opener for me the way he sings the beginning part is interesting leading right into the main body of the track although a short track it was well executed. My favorite track from this EP tho has to be 僕の神様 (Boku no kamisama) this play on vocal distortion is executed in way that is super fun. I bet Tatsumi (巽) had fun with this track. Honorable mention is their INDRA - EP which was another great release. Amazing job on this EP and i hope good things come from this band in 2026! 
Best single - (One track single)
Summary
XEL TERROR - 見ザル言ワザル聞カザル世去ル
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY4divzZSiM
When i first heard this i was instantly hooked. Them coming back was an unespected surprised this track gave a lot of variation enough for me to consider it the best single for the year. There were lot many to chose from and to be honest it was difficult but this one stood out for me the most. One honorable mention ill say was ニーチェ” (Niche) - CROWS i was impressed by this new band and hope for more releases by them soon in the new year.
Best Newcomer
Summary
I count them in my book because they formed at the tail end of 2024 and didnt really reveal themselves until 2025 at the start of the new year. Best new comer goes to GA TO CHOU (蛾と蝶)!!!
Im sure many can agree this band is interesting so far. They release this year a total of 5 singles so far and every single one have been pretty solid. I got instantly hooked which their first single AGEHA. I think the A-side track really captured a blend of elements you dont hear too often. I reccomend checking them out if you haven’t
Best Veteran
Saddest Disbandment’s
Summary
SHIVA
RIP 2015~2025 
Magical BAD trip
Disbanded after guitarist Yuki who passed away at a young age on February 16, 2025. Additonally, bassist Akari (燈) left the band and they would ultimately disband on June 2025
RIP to him and wish all members the best
NAZARE
RIP NAZARE 2018-2025
nurié
This band i feel went through such a such a bad time. On 2021-12-08 their bassist Takanashi Yahiro (小鳥遊やひろ) passes away due to an unfortunate traffic accident at the Shin Tomei Expressway. This would lead them to pause activties until 2022. They disbanded as of this year on 2025-12-26.
Band that Changed their Sound for the Best
Summary
NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST
Despite dropping their visuals this year they have shown promise on getting much better. They released nothing in 2024 however i believe it was to prepare for this moment when they would drop both: Nail in the coffin and Devil inside. Honing their craft this band would return to some of their roots with these teaser singles.
Band that Changed their Sound for the Worse
Summary
HITCHCOCK (ヒッチコック)
Now disbanded wow, thier 2025 releases were SUPER lack luster to me. I thought they would have gotten better but i think that GRAND GUIGNOL (グランギニョル) kinda says it all on how things went down plus whatever that was happening behind the scenes with Yoi (宵). Either way despite that, we wont ever see this band again even tho they did change their sound for the worst. I guess i also included the 2024 album came out in December. I guess that sorta counts in my book.
Best band Revival/Returns
Idk why but i feel like this year vkei wise we got a bunch of re-recording albums and other random stuff that i felt were sub par. At the same time i feel this year and last for Vkei has been hard… for many reasons. However despite that i feel there also some other things which happened in 2025 that are helping vkei move in a positive direction so far. Lets hope for the best in 2026 and move forward. If you read this far, Thank you! 