Punk Rock Record Reviews: The Best of 2025, Part Fourteen.

Punk RockAlbum ReviewCommentary
Written By Paul Holstein

I listen primarily to punk, with my preferred subgenre being street punk. Speed rock, garage, skate punk, hardcore, pop punk, oi!, ska, grindcore, and even rockabilly fit the bill if done right. If I can catch a live show, it gives the release an edge. Here are a few releases from 2025 that I recommend you check out. These are in no particular order; however, I’m only reviewing releases that are in contention for the best release of the year. If I’m reviewing it, I liked it. When the New Year rolls around, I’ll put them in order and do a final article of the best of the best. Drop a comment at the bottom if there is a 2025 release you think I should check out; I most definitely will.

The Remote Controls "Too Tough"
Released: August 1, 2025
Format: Vinyl LP, CD, digital download
Label: Mom's Basement Records / Fail Harmonic Records
From: Indianapolis, IN
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

The Remote Controls did an excellent job on their contributions to recent NOFX and Sloppy Seconds tribute albums. Not just great versions of already great songs, but an inspired choice of bands to pay tribute to. I was highly anticipating their next release, and I was not disappointed. Their debut came in 2022 with the self-released, self-titled 10-song album, which was followed by a split 7" with 20 Minutes. In 2024 they put up a couple of songs on Bandcamp as a single titled "Remote Control Worms," and of course, the contributions to tribute albums. And then finally we get this. It's great all of the way through, but "American Standard," "Speed Freak," "Familiar Ways," "Be Anywhere Else," and of course "Too Tough" ended up on my current playlist. After a couple of plays, "Too Tough" really sunk in. It's probably only one in a thousand songs that I listen to while doing reviews that I feel the need to burn to CD and take over to the rack stereo system (versus the iPod or computer). Four speakers positioned around my Stressless recliner, lights out, high fidelity, volume at an ear-splitting level. Eyes closed and just soak in the awesomeness. "Too Tough" is one of those songs. Fans of Heartwells, secondSELF, Sloppy Seconds, Sick Move, or solid punk rock in general, take note.

Flip The Switch "Valley Crew"
Released: July 1, 2025
Format: Cassette, Digital Download
Label: Rebirth Records
From: Lehigh Valley, PA
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

Straight Edge old school punk rock from PA, it says "Drugs Suck!" right on the cover (and also features the iconic straight edge "X"). This is crazy fast old school hardcore that could have come out 30 years ago or yesterday. 7 songs that average about a minute long, and never let up on the intensity. It looks like the final song (the only one over 2 minutes) is a cover of Rancor, who released a record titled "Flip The Switch" back in the 1990s. If you frequently go to shows with a large black "X" drawn on the back of your hands, or even if you don't but love old school hardcore, this band is for you. Fans of Chain of Strength, Gorilla Biscuits, Judge, Minor Threat, SSD, Youth of Today, and, of course, Rancor will want to check this out.

M.D.K. "Woke Snowflake Pussies (DEMO)"
Released: August 5, 2025
Format: Digital download
Label: Self-Released
From: Leicester, United Kingdom
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

Good men, bad moods. Let me start by noting that the title refers to themselves, the band is ANTI racism, fascism, hate, abuse, genocide, capitalism, and humanity in general. They are also PRO guillotine and strong allies of trans, queer, minorities, and animal rights. Politics aside, though, these guys rip, and I was an immediate fan after the first song, "Speed Just Slows Me Down". This is exactly what you would want from offensive hardcore punk rock for the first three songs (averaging under two minutes each); however, they do slow it down for "Beat on The Beat Bobby," which leans toward ska (unexpectedly) and takes a massive 5:23 to get through. The final song, "In God We Rust," is another long one at 4:56, which extends the ska but throws in some hardcore choruses with a metal edge. I didn't hate the final two songs, but they were too long for me. Get this anyway, at least for the first three songs - it's well worth it. You can grab the songs for free on Bandcamp if you're broke ("name your price" with no minimum). I didn't find any social media presence, nor anything on YouTube, so I did something that I rarely do and reached out to the band. They pointed me to their Instagram page (where they do have some video posted of them doing "Speed Just Slows Me Down"), and also noted that, similar to M.D.C., their band name constantly changes (they are currently calling themselves More Dead Kids but are considering a change to Modern Dames that Kill). They also followed up with a YouTube link, which I have added below. Give this a listen, and then go see them live. For fans of Asspatch, Disco Assault, Seein Red, or just straight-up old-school top-shelf hardcore.

Legal Disaster "So, Here's The Thing..."
Released: August 20, 2025
Format: CD, Digital Download
Label: No Time Records
From: Petaluma, CA
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

Ska punk and Crack Rock Steady are both sub-genres of punk that I like (but not as much as hardcore and pop punk). Legal Disaster is better than average, though, and that kept me listening through the entire release. "New Age Anthem" was my favorite, followed by "Money" with the classic Crack Rock Steady sound. While they have no complaints, mine would just be that the songs are a little long for my personal preference (the first four average out to nearly 4 minutes each). The second half of the release gets shorter and includes a couple of acoustic songs ("The Creature", "Cigarettes") and a cover of Prince Daddy & The Hyena. Fans of Escape From The Zoo, No Cash, Leftover Crack, Hans Gruber and the Die Hards, take note.

Another Fucking Problem "Are We Making You Sick?" EP
Released: May 22, 2025
Format: Digital download
Label: Self-released
From: Aukland, New Zealand
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

D-beat hardcore, with a killer name. This band rips and never lets up. Screaming female vocals, songs that average under 2 minutes, a cool logo, pounding drums, and an urgency that never lets up. They had one earlier release from 2024, "Sunburnt Earth," which is also worth tracking down. They didn't have any of their stuff up on YouTube; the only thing I found was this live show (their debut show, full set). Another hardcore band on the rise, watch for them.

End It "Wrong Side Of Heaven"
Released: August 29, 2025
Format: CD, cassette, vinyl, digital download
Label: Flatspot Records
From: Baltimore, MD
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

End It had a few earlier releases on Flatspot Records as well, including a S/T demo cassette in 2017 and a single in 2020 ("One Way Track"), but I first heard their "Unpleasant Living" LP/CD in 2022. Specifically the song "New Wage Slavery" was outstanding. I got to see them (twice) at Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival in 2023, once where they kicked off the Pulley/Ignite club show, and again on the big stage. One of my more memorable PRB moments came at that show. I was standing at the stage before End It came on, ready to take some photos, when a young kid standing beside me politely said, "Excuse me, sir, are you going to mosh?". He knew what we would be in for, and also that a guy in his 50s had no business standing where I was standing. Of course, I said "No", laughed, took a few photos, and then moved to the back. So you could say I was already a fan when I heard that they had a new LP in 2025. As with most bands, it was a staggered release with the song "Pale Horse" coming out first. That song went immediately to my current playlist, as did the next two songs that were released, "Optical Delusions" and "Life Sublime". This is beat down hardcore, but with something special on a level with Bad Beat (my favorite band from this sub-genre). Professionally recorded, and with a couple of great videos to go with the album (although I'm going to recommend the video for "Pale Horse", being more representative of this release, you should also check out "Could You Love Me?"). "Could You Love Me?" is a cover, but the video is really great and showcases the vocal ability of Akil Godsey (serious talent that would cross over into any genre). If I did a countdown of the best beatdown hardcore albums of the year, this would give Bad Beat a run for their money. Bonus, they have an upcoming show near me at Edgemen Printing, look for the story later in the year. An essential hardcore release.

The Hives "Forever The Hives"
Released: August 29, 2025
Format: LP, digital download
Label: Disques Hives/ Play It Again Sam
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

This is their 7th studio album of garage punk greatness. They have releases going back to 1997 and seem to be getting better with each one. I wasn't quite done spinning "Tick Tick Boom" and "Bogus Operandi" from their 2023 release "The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons" (both amazing songs) when the first song from this one dropped. "Enough Is Enough" went directly to my current playlist and is as good as anything they have done. "O.C.D.O.D." is a ripper and probably my favorite. If you pre-ordered, you will be treated to a color vinyl, fully autographed version that almost makes me want to start collecting vinyl again. Fans of Bad Nerves, U.S. Bastards, Supersuckers, The Humpers, The Oblivians, Throw Rag, New Bomb Turks, and Turbonegro. I like the photo shoot for the cover too; it's fitting.

Lot Lizards "The Horrors of Adulting"
Released: July 25, 2025
Format: Digital Download
Label: Punkerton Records
From: St. Petersburg, Florida
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

I love an album that just rips right into the first song, and this is one of those. Another band that is reminiscent of NOFX, which, of course, is good since they are my all-time favorite band. I was already somewhat familiar with them, after their track on the "Rock Against Trump" compilation, and was highly anticipating this full-length (10-song) release. I haven't checked out their first two EPs ("Try To Accept That You Are Losing It" (2021) and "Doomsday Kegger" (2022) but they are on my list. "Surprise Party" was a favorite, the first song, and they also have an official music video with lyrics. "Good Intentions" and "Great Escapes" also made my current playlist, and are getting a lot of play. Honestly, I probably picked those because they were the first three songs, and I stopped there because I don't like to put more than a few songs per band on my playlist - but this is good all the way through. There is also a cover of "Needles" by Not The Bees!, a band that I had never heard of (but will be checking out). If I don't say this enough, Punkerton Records is absolutely killing it with both their choices of bands and their punk rock ethos. Fans of Heartwells, NOFX, Direct Hit!, and top-shelf, professionally recorded, loud pop punk will love this.

Potato Skins "From Soil To Steel"
Released: August 8, 2025
Format: CD, Digital download
Label: Cuntemporary Records
From: Brighton And Hove, UK
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

This full-length follows their amazing EP earlier this year, "Battered, But Still Standing". Definitely start with that one, but this picks up right where that one left off (with better production). Great name, great artwork, and song titles that match their humor. "Oi! For The Unemployed", "You Ain't A Skin, You're Just Bald", "Work Sucks, Oi! Doesn't" and "My Therapist's A Skinhead" all went to my current playlist, but there isn't a bad song on here. This is in the running for the best Oi! album of the year. Fans of Reckless Upstarts, Templars, Oil!, Sham 69, Haymaker, or just top shelf Oi! Music will love this. One of the best current Oi! bands without a doubt.

Painted Graves "Things To Say"/"Make Your Bed and Lie It"
Released: Released: August 22, 2025
Format: Digital download
Label: Self-Released
From: Detroit, Michigan
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed. Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

I caught Painted Graves at this year's Splish Splash Bash, so I thought I would look into whether or not they had any recent releases. Well, they do, not one but two. I started with their more recent "Things To Say" (5 songs released in August), which started a bit slow (for me). "Do It Again" and "Lead Me To Water" started to sink in after a few plays, and I liked the hardcore/death metal growls on some of the songs. I was looking for a bit more punk rock, though, and I found it in "Make Your Bed and Lie in It" (11 songs released in July). "Raised on Greed" and "Staring At Me" were my initial favorites, but "Varian" picks up the speed, and "Punk Fuck" has the best title. I assume "Jessica Part 2" is about Deborah Ann Woll's character in True Blood (a vampire named Jessica), but I'll have to ask them. After a few listens, "Varian" is not just the standout from these releases; it's one of the best songs I have heard this year (I wish they had the lyrics on Bandcamp). There is a lot to like here, and I'm going to be listening to these for a while. I only wish I had spun these before I saw them live, but then again, they are from Detroit, so I should be able to catch them again soon.

Please support the bands, the scene, and In-Spite Magazine by sharing this article with a friend.

Paul Holstein
Next

Seisún Festival brings Irish Weather with Irish Tunes