As the humidity and heat of Summer remains heavy in the atmosphere, so do this past month’s music releases. September boasted some truly top-tier, exceptional records, ranging from all over East Europe and Asia.
Bronze Tier: Metal Album of the Month – September 2025
Stoned Jesus
Songs to Sun
Released via Season of Mist
Based in Kyiv, Ukraine
Unlike other stoner rock / metal acts, Stoned Jesus does not drown their listeners in redundant fuzz. Instead, the Ukrainian trio are masters of emotional soundscapes, akin to a sweet Pink Floyd groove or Opeth‘s more delicate moments. Mixed and mastered by Daniel Lidén (Dozer, The Ocean), the sixth full-length by these Kyiv doom-laden lads is close to worship-worthy.
FFO: Baroness, CKY, Porcupine Tree
‘Songs to Sun’ available on Bandcamp, vinyl, and CD
Silver Tier: Metal Album of the Month – September 2025
Hei’An
Kiss Our Ghosts Goodbye
Self-Released
Based in Koper, Slovenia
With a stellar production team, this album is beyond your average metalcore record. Electronic-tinged, catchy headbangers like “What a Shame” or “My Harness” were produced by Randy Slaugh (Architects, Periphery), mixed by Joseph McQueen (Suicide Silence, Upon a Burning Body) as well as Zakk Cervini (Bring Me the Horizon, Bad Omens), and mastered by Ted Jensen (Ghost, Gojira). Not only does Kiss Our Ghosts Goodbye sound butter-smooth and sky-high, but every track is impeccably infectious. Huge bravo to Hei’An; this release should be on every modern metalhead’s radar.
FFO: Sleep Token, Orbit Culture, Make Them Suffer
‘Kiss Our Ghosts Goodbye’ available on CD, vinyl, and streaming services
Gold Tier: Metal Album of the Month – September 2025
Korypheus
Gilgamesh
Released via M-Theory Audio
Based in Kyiv, Ukraine
Conceptually indulging in past and present folktales, Gilgamesh conveys prog perfection of mecca-proportions. Dual vocalists Andy Gushin and Jullian Torse run the show through soaring melodies and metalcore screams. From the title track featuring bouzouki by Yossi Sassi (formerly of Orphaned Land) to the sweet singing of Laura Guldemond (Burning Witches) across “Sleeper,” every track is densely layered with extra flair; nonetheless the hooks and riffs shine through, thanks to mixing by Dmitry Kim (Jinjer) and mastering by Jay Ruston (Avatar, Amon Amarth, Stone Sour). Genuinely, Gilgamesh is massive heavy and brilliant; kudos to Korypheus.
FFO: Ignea, Tesseract, Myrath
‘Gilgamesh‘ available on Bandcamp, vinyl, & CD
Honorable Mentions
Galundo Tenvulance
Insomnis Somnia
Released via Spiritual Beast
Based in Japan
Boasting new vocalist Sao, this death metal group’s second full-length is equally as symphonic and melodic, for fans of Fleshgod Apocalypse and Nekrogoblikon.
‘Insomnis Somnia’ available on Bandcamp and CD
Species
Changelings
Released via 20 Buck Spin
Based in Warsaw, Masovia, Poland
With a borderline prog, and more-tech-than-Megadeth thrash sound, Species is pure sci-fi heaviness on this new seven-track, mastered by Damian Herring (Horrendous).
‘Changelings‘ available on Bandcamp, vinyl, CD, & cassette