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

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, crust punk, mincecore, psychobilly 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.

Zeke "Peterbuilt"
Released: November 28, 2025
Format: 7" vinyl
Label: Hound Gawd! Records
From: Seattle, Washington
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

If you read my show and record reviews often, you know that I love Zeke. My story about Zeke at a Punk Rock Bowling pool party got me in the door at In-Spite Magazine, and they easily made my top 100 CDs of all time with "Dirty Sanchez" (which contains my favorite Zeke song, "Let's Get Drugs") representing decades of the fastest speed rock songs ever to be played. “Super Sound Racing," “Flat Tracker,” and “Kicked in the Teeth” are also classics. I reviewed their "Snake Eyes" 7" last year, which was also incredible, and this is more of the same. Hopefully they are building up to a full length release, but if not they can continue to release singles every year (as well as touring relentlessly) and I'll be happy. Both "Peterbuilt" and "From The Ashes" are breakneck speed. Founding members “Blind” Marky Felchtone (vocals) and Donny Paycheck (Drums) are household names around here, and these new songs only add to their legacy. As with last year's single, they seem to have went to great lengths to keep these songs off of all streaming platforms, and even YouTube. If you want it, you are going to have to buy the vinyl. Fans of the Bugatti Veyron, NASA's X-15, Cheetahs, Usain Bolt, Formula Rossa and the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey will want to check this out (I Google'd "Things That Go Really Fast" to get that list).

The Boy Detective "Disco Lunch"
Released: November 7, 2025
Format: Vinyl LP, Picture Disc, Digital Download
Label: Punkerton Records
From: Southeastern Michigan
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

This is a ska album, but there are hardcore influences. My preference is fast, so "Haunted House" stuck out right away. That one, and "TANGC" (There Are No Good Cops) made my current playlist. Being 58, it's concerning how they feel like 35 is elderly, but otherwise I really enjoyed this. This is another band that I'm ultra-lucky to have local to my area. They are known for energetic live shows that include plenty of brass instruments, cuddle puddles (where everyone lies on the floor, with the band, in a big heap) and climbing up any anything they can climb. If you are new to the band, you should probably start with last year's "Exhibition" which was just as good, and definitely go see them live. Fans of The Suicide Machines, Operation Ivy, Less Than Jake, Middle-Out, Mustard Plug.

Norcos Y Horchata "Precious Little Album"
Released: September 25, 2025
Format: 12" vinyl, digital download
Label: Take The City Records
From: Detroit
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

Norcos Y Horchata is from Detroit, with Amado Guadarrama aka Amado Movado (Bump-N-Uglies, Devious Ones, Bill Bondsmen) on guitar and Dougie Tangent (Devious Ones, Stroker Ace, The Dewtons, The Putz) on drums. I had to ask the band what "Norcos Y Horchata" meant, and apparently it's a drug laced sweet milk-like drink. It's not advised to Google it, however nowadays you would likely end up getting info on the band and not the drink. This follows up their 2022 release "Forever Disheveled" (check out "Almost Lost My Thumb To The Pinewood Derby") and a couple of singles. I'm spoiled because I get to see them frequently in the local scene (most recently with The Briefs and Bad Nerves). "Live, Laugh Toaster Bath" is the most memorable, and a staple of their live shows. Playing the release through a few times for the review, "The Artist and the Art" and "Hack Away" have me looking forward to a few more listens as well. This is not hardcore or pop punk, closer to garage or something in-between. Catchy, distorted, at times fast and other times not. Look for this on my countdown of the best local releases of the year.

Sick Move "Wheels and Nitro"
Released: December 5, 2025
Format: Digital Download
Label: Self-Released
From: Baltimore, MD

Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

Sick Move’s “Intrusive Thoughts” was my #1 pick of 2024, so I’ve been eagerly awaiting something new in 2025. So far, they have brought us a live album “Vol #33 DCxPC Live Presents Sick Move Live” with songs from the previously mentioned album and one new track. And now the studio version of the new track “Wheels & Nitro”. It looks like we will have to wait for 2026 to get a full album, but this song is perfect to hold us over until then. “All units proceed with caution, we are fucking armed. Murdering pedestrians with our muscle car.” This song doesn’t hold back, and continues their tradition of blistering fast but melodic hardcore that both sticks in your head and gets you moving/screaming along. These releases probably aren’t going to get them on the list again this year, but are a great start towards a stellar release in 2026.

Local Offenders “Oi! The Satire”
Released: November 17, 2025
Format: Digital Download
Label: Self-Released
From: London, U.K.
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

It’s been a great year for Oi!, and for Oi! satire as well. This one fits right into the stack of excellent (and hilarious) releases that also includes Potato Skins and Oil!. The first three songs “My Boots Are Taller Than Yours”, “You Weren’t There In ‘82” and “Our Local” all made my current playlist, and are solid Oi! anthems. Next time I’m in London, I would expect to run into these guys in some local pub slamming pints and arguing their fake nostalgia. You can expect this one to make my upcoming countdown of the best Oi! albums of 2025.

Half Dizzy “Yard Sale”
Released: December 12, 2025
Format: Vinyl LP, digital download
Label: Punkerton records
From: Columbus, OH
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

After waiting for what seemed like forever for the rest of this album to drop, I am finally able to listen to it all as of Bandcamp Friday 12/5. I saw Half Dizzy earlier this year when they came to Detroit to play in Corktown with The Boy Detective. It was a great show, and Punkerton Records owner Brandon Alan Lewis was in the house, and I got to shake his hand. That handshake was well-deserved, as his label is amazing and they just keep churning out the classics. As you may have guessed, I love this album and will be playing it all weekend. “Yard Sale,” “Fade Away,” “Sidelines,” “Late Nights,” “Easton,” and “Starting To Believe” were all standouts. Look for this on my countdown of the best releases of the year.

NOFX “A to H”
Released: December 5, 2025
Format: Vinyl LP, Digital Download
Label: Fat Wreck Chords
From: Los Angeles
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

A couple of new songs, and some demos and alternate versions. The new song “Barcelona” is the standout, and also props to including “Everything In Moderation (Especially Moderation),” which is one of their best songs (even though this is not the best version). I was devastated that they broke up after only 41 years (even though I did get to see them six times on their final tour and was a fan for all 41 years), but glad that they had a three-part triple album to be released post-mortem. NOFX is my all-time favorite band, and I’ll listen to anything they put out. I enjoyed this, but so far this installment doesn’t live up to my expectations. This is only A-H, so hopefully I-Z will pick up the speed. On another note, Fat Mike also released a song with The Codefendants, “The Right Wrong Man,” and El Hefe released a solo track, “White Label,” which are both excellent. If you are a NOFX completist like I am, you need this, but you can probably just wait until the entire triple album is available and get it all in one shot.

Hitmark "Demo MMXXV"
Released: November 18, 2025
Format: Digital Download
Label: Self-released
From: Michigan
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

Another outstanding Michigan hardcore band, with a 4-song demo and not a lot of other information. They have an Instagram page with only a few posts that says "Oakland County Hardcore" (which is where I live). They didn't have anything on Bandcamp, but I was able to find the demo on Amazon Music. I received a couple of texts pointing me towards their demo, and specifically the song "Plucked Out Eye" (which immediately made me think of the old Misfits artwork by Pushead). This is nothing like The Misfits; this is beatdown hardcore with plenty of breakdowns and great production. They will fit right in with the slew of incredible bands playing locally that include Bad Beat, The Sissy Boys, WMD, NEG.

Vice Squad "Worry Doll"
Released: December 5, 2025
Format:CD, digital download
Label: Self-Released
From: London, UK
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

Yes, this is the same band fronted by Beki Bondage that formed in 1979 and released the iconic punk rock song "Last Rockers" on their 1981 LP "No Cause For Concern." They have been steadily releasing records throughout all these years (with Beki being a constant member), and they sound as good as ever. This EP is excellent, and the songs "Worry Doll" and "Tenant" were both standouts. "Last Rockers" is one of my all-time favorite punk songs, and even more than this record being great, I'm excited that they are still playing and there is a chance I'll get to see them live some day. Did I mention that this is great and you should check it out right away?

The Brokedowns "Let's Tip The Landlord"
Released: November 21, 2025
Format: Digital Download
Label: Red Scare
From: Chicago, IL
Photo of the album cover that is being reviewed.

13 new songs from Chicago's The Brokedowns. Their 2023 album "Maximum Khaki" was high up on my list of the best records of the year (check out "Obey The Fumes" and "I'm Sore"), so I was looking forward to this one more than usual. I was glad to see that these are mostly short songs (nothing over 3 minutes), and they have kept up the energy and speed. It's getting close to the end of the year, and I'm way behind on reviews, but this one deserves quite a few more listens. Check my list of the best records of this year in a few weeks, and I'm guessing you will see this on it. Other than the title song, I just haven't figured out yet which songs are my favorites. Fans of The Dead Kennedys, Direct Hit!, F.Y.P., and Teenage Bottlerocket.

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Paul Holstein
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