November 2025 Best Heavy Metal Albums

Here are our picks for November 2025’s best heavy metal albums.

1. 1914 – Viribus Unitus (Napalm)

After what felt like an eternity, the Ukrainian blackened death/doom band 1914 have returned with their fourth album Viribus Unitus. Latin for “With United Forces,” it’s one historical reference 1914 bring to tell yet another brutal story, this time from the point of view of an Austrian soldier between 1914 and 1919. While the themes of the hellish nature of World War 1 are still prevalent, Viribus Unitus focuses more on the emotional turmoil of those who had survived.

1914’s attention to historical accuracy and authenticity has gotten stronger with their instrumentation and use of recordings from the era and it’s shown in tracks like “1917 (The Isonzo Front).” “1919 (The Home Where I Died)” acts as the album’s somber climax as it tugs with your emotions with its melancholy piano and the haunting voice of Rome’s Jérôme Reuter. War is not pretty, and 1914 have shown us just that once again. Viribus Unitus is our pick for November’s best new album.

2. Qrixkuor – The Womb Of The World (Dark Descent)

The UK death metal duo Qrixkuor emerged with their full-length debut Poison Palinopsia in 2021, which was very well received. They have taken a big step forward with their new record The Womb Of The World. Qrixkuor have augmented their death metal with symphonic elements and black metal moments.

That adds even more depth and diversity to their songwriting. The four tracks clock in at 50 minutes, traversing an impressive array of tempos, intensities and atmospheres. Writing such long songs (ranging from 8 to 17 minutes) can lead to monotony, but Qrixkuor avoid that pitfall. A guest appearance from Adorior’s Jaded Lungs is icing on the cake on “And You Shall Know Perdition As Your Shrine.” The Womb Of The World is engaging from start to finish.

3. Malefic Throne – The Conquering Darkness (Agonia)

There’s no interlude, no intro, no easing into the proceedings on Malefic Throne‘s The Conquering Darkness. The Florida death metal band wastes no time introducing their crushing style on their full-length debut. The trio has an impressive lineup of vocalist/bassist Steve Tucker (Morbid Angel), guitarist Gene Palubicki (Angelcorpse, Perdition Temple) and drummer John Longstreth (Hate Eternal, Origin).

Their brand of death metal in intense and aggressive, played mostly at a blistering pace but never neglecting the groove. Longstreth’s performance is especially impressive, with creative fills and keeping the song on the rails when the BPMs go into the red. Malefic Throne compose songs mostly in the 5-to-7-minute range that gives them plenty of time to explore various paths. The Conquering Darkness concludes with the 8-minute opus “Forged Of Stone” that’s more deliberate but no less crushing. Malefic Throne, as you’d expect from their resume, hit the ground running with a potent debut.

4. Beastwars – The Ship // The Sea (Destroy)

Over the past few years, New Zealand sludgesters Beastwars have been revisiting their early material in live shows. That has impacted their new album The Ship // The Sea, which eschews some of the prog influences of recent records and goes back to basics. It’s their first album of originals since 2019, following 2023’s covers record Tyranny Of Distance.

The album is heavy and direct, with water the lyrical basis of the songs. The ship represents the body and the sea, life. Beastwars expertly balance intensity and passion with groove and melody. The balance tilts toward the latter on “Levitate” and “Guardian Of Fire” while the tempo slows to a doom pace and the heaviness ratchets up on “Rust.” Beastwars have long been underrated, but with each new quality album like The Ship // The Sea, more fans will discover them.

5. Drain – …Is Your Friend (Epitaph)

…Is Your Friend is Drain‘s third album, picking up from where their 2023 beast Living Proof left off. The band does a great job of playing metal and punk at the same time, so much so that you have a hard time deciphering what exactly they are.

There is still ample energy left in the tank for this Santa Cruz syndicate. Drain have continued to sonically home in on what makes them such a formidable force on stage and the result of all of that is this very album. …Is Your Friend is a glorified live album and one of the best punk centric releases of the year.

6. Danko Jones – Leo Rising (Perception)

“Deep and meaningful” has never been high on Danko Jones’s agenda. Sure, there’s value in such ideals; the Canadian power trio just realized long ago it isn’t their primary function. Being prolific and bursting at the seams with conviction is, though, and Leo Rising is their twelfth studio record of hook-laden hard rock. It’s straight-up, meat and potatoes fare, bustling with AC/DC-channeling riffs, punk energy and the infectious power-pop of “Every Day Is Saturday Night.”

None of these tracks reach the four-minute mark, and the taut, economic execution works as several cuts are instantly likeable. Guitar hero Marty Friedman (ex-Megadeth) makes a rollicking guest appearance on KISS-inspired “Diamond in The Rough.” Meanwhile, “Pretty Stuff” brings the sleaze-metal vibe, “Hot Fox” packs a riff-heavy swagger, and “What You Need” feels tailor-made for live interaction. There aren’t really any surprises for the already initiated, but Leo Rising gets the job done, and then some. Our advice? Catch one of their shows for the full effect.