2025 is shaping up to be a massive year for alternative and hard rock fans, with some of the genres’ biggest names readying new albums, teasing fresh material, and hitting the road for major tours. From long-awaited follow-ups to potential game-changing returns, here are the records we can’t wait to hear.
Deftones: A Long-Awaited Return?
Deftones have always been an enigma wrapped in layers of ethereal aggression, and 2025 could finally see them unravel one of their greatest mysteries— new music. The band, known for their meticulous and often delayed recording process, has been hinting at fresh material as early as 2023. Fans are still holding out hope for the long-shelved Eros, the album put on ice after the tragic passing of bassist Chi Cheng, but whether or not that sees the light of day remains unknown. With Deftones confirmed to join System of a Down for select stadium dates, anticipation is at a fever pitch. Could we finally get an announcement? If history has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected with Deftones.
Sublime: A New Chapter Begins
Few bands can claim the kind of cultural staying power Sublime has maintained since their heyday in the ’90s. Blending ska, punk, and reggae into a signature sound, the Long Beach legends reshaped alternative music with their seminal albums 40oz. to Freedom, Robbin’ the Hood, and their self-titled 1996 record, which produced enduring anthems like “What I Got,” “Santeria,” and “Wrong Way.” The tragic loss of frontman Bradley Nowell could have signaled the end, but Sublime’s music has only grown in stature over the decades.
Now, in 2025, a new chapter is unfolding. With Bradley’s son Jakob Nowell stepping in as frontman, Sublime has found fresh energy while staying true to their roots. A 2023 benefit concert featuring Jakob alongside original members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh ignited overwhelming fan support, leading to a high-profile Coachella performance and, at long last, new music. The release of “Feel Like That” — the band’s first new song in 28 years —blends Jakob’s presence with Bradley’s original vocals and a collaboration with Stick Figure. As speculation swirls about a full album, one thing is certain: Sublime is back, and they’re ready to ride the next wave of their legacy.
Evanescence: The Evolution Continues
Amy Lee and company have been cautiously inching toward their first new album since 2021’s The Bitter Truth. The gothic rock titans have already spent time in the studio, with Lee confirming late last year that the band has a wealth of ideas but isn’t yet fully immersed in the recording process. “We’re in the creative process right now, but we’re not deep in the throes of it yet,” Lee said. That could be changing soon, as Evanescence is set to enter the studio this year for what appears to be the first serious recording sessions for the new album. With 2025 tour dates looming, it’s only a matter of time before we hear what’s next from one of rock’s most distinctive voices.
Halestorm: A New Era of Lzzy Hale?
Lzzy Hale has never been one to shy away from evolution, and Halestorm’s next album could be its boldest reinvention yet. The band has been quietly crafting the follow-up to 2022’s Back from the Dead, but what’s really piquing fans’ interest is Hale’s time fronting Skid Row. She spent a brief but electrifying stint belting out classics like “18 and Life” and “I Remember You” in late 2023, leaving many to wonder if that experience will inspire her performance on Halestorm’s next album. If the band’s past statements hold true, the record is nearly complete, meaning new music could drop imminently.
Amigo The Devil: A Darker, Deeper Dive
Few artists in modern rock have a voice as hauntingly unique as Amigo The Devil. With Yours Until the War is Over, Danny Kiranos delivered his most multi-dimensional and immersive album yet, weaving cinematic vignettes of tragedy, desperation, and the flawed human condition. His storytelling remains unmatched, painting eerie yet poignant tales that feel like a mix of folk horror and stark reality. As one of the most critically lauded songwriters in contemporary music, Kiranos has set a high bar for himself. Where he takes his next chapter is anyone’s guess, but if history tells us anything, it’s that Amigo The Devil won’t shy away from the darkness — he’ll embrace it.
Three Days Grace: A Dual-Frontman Experiment
Three Days Grace pulled off one of the most surprising reunions in recent memory when original frontman Adam Gontier returned to the fold while current vocalist Matt Walst remained onboard. Their first single together, “Mayday,” was a nostalgia-fueled shot of adrenaline that had fans buzzing about what a full album might sound like. Will they embrace their heavier early days or push into new sonic territory? However the dynamic shakes out, their upcoming album is one of the most fascinating projects of 2025.
The Ataris: Pop-Punk’s Nostalgic Revival
The Ataris are finally breaking their 13-year silence, and fans who grew up with So Long, Astoria are ready for the ride. After reuniting their classic lineup, frontman Kristopher Roe has been back in the studio, crafting what promises to be an emotionally charged return for the band. Roe’s songwriting has always drawn from raw personal experiences, and his recent hardships — a near-fatal car crash and the loss of his father, a beloved figure in the Ataris’ fan community — are sure to fuel the band’s upcoming as-yet-untitled album, slated for a 2025 release. With pop-punk enjoying a major resurgence thanks to acts like Sum 41, Blink-182, and the return of Warped Tour, the timing couldn’t be better for the band that gave us anthems like “In This Diary,” “The Saddest Song,” and their now-iconic cover of “The Boys of Summer.” If nostalgia is in, then The Ataris are about to make a triumphant return to the scene they helped define.
Shinedown: Back to Basics
Shinedown has made a career out of blending hard rock muscle with deeply personal songwriting, and their upcoming album aims to continue that tradition — this time without the overarching concept of their last few records. Bassist and producer Eric Bass confirmed that the follow-up to 2022’s Planet Zero will be a straight-up Shinedown album, a departure from their recent conceptual releases. The band has already teased the new era with singles “Three Six Five” and “Dance, Kid, Dance,” both of which have stoked excitement among fans. If those tracks are any indication, we’re in for a powerful, arena-sized collection of anthems.
Papa Roach: A New Era, A New Energy
After breaking new ground with Ego Trip and launching their own label, New Noize Records, Papa Roach has been quietly working on their next chapter. Their last record saw them tap into a whole new generation of fans, thanks to high-profile tours alongside Falling In Reverse, Hollywood Undead, and Escape The Fate. Now, the band is gearing up for a new album and a massive 2025 tour alongside Rise Against and Underoath for the aptly named Rise of the Roach Tour.
Guitarist Jerry Horton recently hinted at what’s to come on The Mistress Carrie Podcast, revealing that while the creative process differed from their previous album, the energy remains the same. “We’re still fired up about it,” Horton said. “The first song coming is a banger—heavy, catchy, and sticks in your head. The record is diverse, experimental, emotional, and dynamic.” As Papa Roach continues their resurgence, we can’t wait to hear how this renewed momentum translates into their next sonic evolution.
With all these heavyweights gearing up for major releases, 2025 is set to be a banner year for rock and hard rock. The only question is: who will deliver the biggest surprise?
