The Red Lantern
We haven’t been able to do a Red Lantern post every year. Cause the albums that earn the Red Lantern
are only those on a sent in list of twenty entries, where they occupy
the 20th position, and then only get voted for on that twentieth spot
that one time. The years when this did not happen at all, we just
invented the Bottom Dwellers
post. And the reason why, remains the same. We just love the fact
somebody out there loves these albums so hard they want other people to
know about them. And we are here to help out!
If only a tiny little bit...
So, since the Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown
is a weighted list and not every lovely freak out there sends in their
list as a Top 20. Some send more, some send less. And we only count the
albums that receive a Number 20 spot on any of the lists sent in as a
contender for the Red Lantern. So this year, we have THREE albums that received only one vote as a Number 20 spot on someone’s list... Three amazing albums we might add! And here they are...
An Evening With Knives - End Of Time
End Of Time by Eindhoven metal trio An Evening With Knives lives up to its apocalyptic promise. Featuring new drummer Jarno van Osch, the album is fiercer, tighter, and more direct than its predecessors, with eight lean tracks packed into a punchy 39 minutes. While Marco Gelissen’s vocals occasionally search for footing, his roaring delivery quickly dominates. Standouts like “Pride Of Lions” and the atmospheric closer “S21” showcase an album that’s aggressive, focused, and seismic.
Miscellen - Emerald Ash
With Emerald Ash, Miscellen conjures a world where time erodes but leaves echoes of beauty. Nine expansive tracks unfold like weathered statues and fading photographs—fragile yet enduring. Layers of textured instrumentation, from Jason Sevanick’s ethereal strings to Joe King’s primal drumming, entwine with Tyler Wolosin’s expressive vocals, Paul Green’s piercing violin, and ghostly field recordings. Sparse voices and dreamlike passages drift through desolate soundscapes, balancing melancholy with defiance, capturing the fleeting, persistent pulse of life and the quiet strength that lingers beyond impermanence.
The Ossuary - Requiem For The Sun
Italy’s The Ossuary slam full-force with Requiem For the Sun, a crushing mix of doom, classic metal, and psychedelic stoner rock. Blistering riffs, scorching solos, and haunting vocals hit from the first note of “Altar in Black” to the epic closer “Eloise.” Tracks like “Far From the Tree” deliver unforgettable hooks, spine-tingling grooves, and headbanging intensity, while slower, atmospheric moments keep the darkness alive. Inventive, heavy, and relentlessly powerful, this album proves The Ossuary are a modern metal powerhouse you can’t ignore.
Check out the Full Top 20 Countdown of 2025 by following these links:
Or skip the 20 best and visit the Numbers 21 to 100!