By “Tampa” Earl Burton
Over the past twelve months, the world of rock and roll has delivered some great rock and roll. Whether they were from the independent ranks or legitimate legends in the business, we have had a wonderful year when it comes to recorded music. We’re going to give you a look at some of the best from 2025 and, while you might not be able to gift them for the Christmas holidays, you might be able to give them to your friends, relations, or others who you want to turn on to new rock!
Spider Rockets – Dirty and Bad
This New Jersey band was a discovery of mine earlier this year, and they brought the goods with their sixth album, Dirty and Bad. The title track brought a down-and-dirty rock style, with vocalist Helena Cos leading the band through a variety of rock stylings. “Rock Your Ass Off” has a Bang Tango feel to it, while “Monsters of Your Dreams” is simply an in-your-face rocker. It is arguably one of the best independent releases of 2025, and let’s hope that there is more in the works from Spider Rockets.
Bruce Springsteen – Tracks II and Nebraska ’82 (Expanded Edition)
While a certified legend, Bruce Springsteen took it to the next level in 2025. A blistering European tour, where Springsteen firmly adopted his “Voice of America” persona, preceded not one but two excellent box sets in 2025. First was Tracks II, a seven-CD set that covered the works of “The Boss” from 1982 through the 2020s. Virtually every style of music is included by Springsteen, reflecting the work he has done for the past four decades – The Philadelphia Sessions is particularly noteworthy, demonstrating his experimentation with electronic keyboards and drum machines.
Springsteen was not done yet, however. In the last quarter of 2025, Springsteen unveiled an extended edition of one of his most iconic albums. Nebraska is already considered an Americana classic, so Springsteen expanded on it to show how it almost became an E Street Band album. The electric versions of the Nebraska songs and sneak previews of what would eventually show up on Born in the USA make the expanded Nebraska four-CD set a must-have for rock fans.
Luna Marble – Luna Marble and Katie & The Bad Sign – Katie & The Bad Sign
The reason I put these two bands together is that they capture the blues/classic rock ethos through their outstanding work. Both debut albums hold true to “rock and roll,” yet they are also tremendous expressions of musicality that touch people’s souls. Luna Marble, through songs such as “Crazy Loving” and “The Ride,” and Katie & The Bad Sign’s “Revolution,” tap into the bluesy sounds of Sixties and Seventies rock, while bringing them into the 21st century with solid musicianship. Katie O’Malley is particularly noteworthy with her aching, powerful vocals.
Various Artists – Can’t Get Enough: A Tribute to Bad Company and Magic Power: An All-Star Tribute to Triumph
If your tastes run toward tribute albums – where a group of today’s best artists and bands pay tribute to classic bands or artists – then these two records are a must-have for your collection. The Bad Company tribute album is self-explanatory, but when you toss in such bands as Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless, Slash, and Dirty Honey throwing down such classics as “Shooting Star” or “All Right Now” (yes, a Free song, but Paul Rodgers…you get it), it becomes an excellent remembrance. The same goes for the Triumph tribute, with people like Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider, Skid Row’s Sebastian Bach, and Heart’s Nancy Wilson offering their tributes to the Canadian legends on “Follow Your Heart” and “Rock and Roll Machine.” It is also arguably the impetus for Triumph’s reunion for a tour in 2026… sometimes you CAN get what you want!
The Violent Hour – The Violent Hour
After she departed Butcher Babies in 2024, singer Carla Harvey has been busy. She accepted the position as the lead vocalist with Lords of Acid while also making sure that Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante made an honest woman of her by marrying him late in 2025 (the duo has been together since 2015). Oh, there was also Harvey forming her new band, The Violent Hour, which released a self-titled EP in 2025 that offered a taste of what the all-female band has in store for fans. Harvey would tap a few friends to help on the EP, most notably Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society, to crank out the hard-hitting “Hell or Hollywood.” Here’s another one we hope to see more of in the coming year.
Preacher Stone – By the Horns
Much like the band that started our list, Preacher Stone embraces a down-and-dirty rock style with a Southern twist. On By the Horns, Preacher Stone stakes their claim to the leadership of power rock and, over the span of a brief, nine-song album, entertains and enthralls the listeners with their sound. Such tunes as “The Devil You Know” and “Writing on the Wall” are the standouts here, but you will enjoy Preacher Stone’s By the Horns from front to back.
It is almost time for the ball to drop, ushering out 2025 and bringing in 2026. Hopefully, in the next twelve months, we will have the same quality of rock and roll come to our earphones!
- Rockin’ in the Free World – Best Rock Albums of 2025 - December 30, 2025
- Rockin’ and Rollin’ the Year Away – The Best Concerts of 2025 - December 23, 2025
- Hard Rock Rising Crowns Champion on Wednesday at the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa - November 20, 2025
