The year is coming to a close, and the smoke has finally cleared from the 2025 release calendar. This week on The Heavy Metal Hangover, Rex and Duff are putting their reputations on the line as they reveal their personal Top 10 Metal Albums of the Year. From the high-speed thrash of the legends to the experimental sounds that pushed the boundaries of the genre, we’re ranking the records that defined our speakers over the last twelve months.

Was 2025 the year of the old guard’s resurgence, or did the newcomers steal the crown? We’ll be comparing lists, defending our "must-hears," and likely arguing over who got snubbed. Whether you’re looking for a recap of the year’s heaviest hits or searching for that one underground gem you missed, this is the definitive 2025 countdown. Grab a drink and let’s see who takes the #1 spot on the mountain!

Rex and Duff are tackling a heavy question this week: Are we losing our connection to the music? With millions of tracks just a click away, we discuss whether having infinite access has actually made us value individual albums less. Do we still sit with a record, read the liner notes, and let it haunt us, or have we become "musical tourists" constantly chasing the next skip button?

We dive into how AI and streaming are changing the face of creation and ownership, comparing the temporary nature of a digital stream to the permanent weight of physical media. Is the true metal spirit found in that deep, physical connection to a hard-earned record, or are we just adapting to a new world of endless sound? Grab your headphones and join us for a deep dive into the soul of the scene in the digital age.

Get ready for the ultimate metal debate because Rex and Duff are etching their choices in stone! This week, we're taking on the massive challenge of building our "Mount Rushmore" of Metal Musicians. Who belongs on the sacred mountain of shred? We're talking definitive lists and tough decisions across all positions:

We'll be naming the four essential Metal Guitarists that defined the riff, the four Drummers who laid down the thunderous foundations, the four Bassists who commanded the low end, and maybe even a few more surprise categories! Brace yourself for some controversial omissions and bold inclusions as we finalize our pantheon of metal gods. Tune in to see if your favorite made the cut!

Get ready for an aggressive dose of thrash speculation! Rex and Duff are diving deep into the hype surrounding the upcoming Megadeth album. While the album isn't out yet, we're laying out our predictions: Will it be a return to their golden era? Will it feature more technical fire or a return to a simpler groove? We'll break down the recent singles and updates, and of course, spend time talking about Dave Mustaine's controversial cover of the iconic Metallica track, "Ride the Lightning." Was it a brilliant nod or a petty power play? You know we have opinions!

Then, we transition to a guaranteed laugh-out-loud segment: Messed-Up Things to Get Signed by a Metal Band including the weirdest, funniest, and most inappropriate items that fans have shoved in front of metal icons to sign. You'll never look at a sharpie the same way again. Tune in, crank it up, and remember: it's all fun and no politics on The Heavy Metal Hangover!

Get ready for another dose of high-volume heavy metal and low-budget horror! Rex and Duff are back, and this week we're digging our nails further into the coffin of Metal Horror Films, continuing our discussion on the perfect and imperfect blending of loud riffs and cinematic gore.

Then, we transition to a debate that's been rattling the scene for decades: "Built-by-the-Label" Bands. We're talking about bands that emerged from a carefully crafted marketing plan rather than the garage. Do they count? Can they make great music despite their origins? We focus on one band in particular but tough on the concept itself.

Finally, we close out the show with a round of Halloween Havoc Tough Choices! We're pitting everything spooky, scary, and seasonal against each other in our popular "King of the Mountain" format. Tune in and scream along as we make some impossible decisions!

Get ready to raise a glass of cold gin, throw up the horns, and celebrate the incredible legacy of the legendary Ace Frehley! This week on The Heavy Metal Hangover, Rex and Duff dedicate the entire main segment to the Space Ace, discussing his signature tone, his overlooked songwriting contributions, and the true cultural impact he had on an entire generation of guitarists. We'll be talking about his classic tracks like "Shock Me," "New York Groove," and the enduring anthem, "Cold Gin."

Following the tribute, we dive into a round of KISS-themed "King of the Mountain" Tough Choices! It's the ultimate battle of impossible decisions, where we pit iconic albums, singles, and eras against each other. Is it the raw energy of Alive! vs. the perfection of Destroyer? Dipping into the deep well of the KISS discography, Rex and Duff will crown the champion. Tune in to argue, debate, and party all nite!

Rex and Duff are back and we've got a mountain of new metal to discuss! We kick off the show by catching up on some of the biggest and most exciting recent and upcoming releases, including new heat from Revocation (New Gods, New Masters), the gothic grandeur of Paradise Lost (Ascension), the extreme artistry of Igorrr (Amen), the doom-laden depth of Novembers Doom (Major Arcana), and an update on the latest from the mighty Megadeth.

Then, we dive back into the grindhouse for our horror film segment, putting the spotlight squarely on Rob Zombie's filmography—from the cult chaos of the Firefly Family trilogy (House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil's Rejects, 3 From Hell) to his Halloween remakes. We're talking horror influences, the controversial lack of metal on his soundtracks, and the undeniable connection between his unique vision and the heavy metal aesthetic. Finally, we wrap up with another round of "King of the Mountain" Tough Choices, forcing us into some agonizing metal dilemmas!

Get ready to throw some horns because Rex and Duff are back with a brand new episode of The Heavy Metal Hangover! We're kicking things off by diving headfirst into the mosh pit of live shows, starting things off by talking about Rex's recent pilgrimage to see Alice Cooper and Judas Priest. Then, it's time to dim the lights for Metal Movies!—our deep dive into films that perfectly blend metal culture and horror. We're talking cult classics and deep cuts like Demon Knight, Trick or Treat, Strangeland, and Night of the Demons, just to name a few of the twisted flicks we're dissecting!

Finally, we wrap things up with a high-stakes "King of the Mountain" tough choice segment! We face off with agonizing metal dilemmas before crowning the "King of the Mountain" in a battle of impossible decisions.