In this episode of Signals From Mars, Victor is joined by Jeremy and Ed to review the new hard rock and metal album releases from July and August 2025. Together, they dive into standout records, hidden gems, and surprising letdowns across a wide spectrum of styles — from thrash and power metal to gothic and progressive sounds.

This is the first live episode in months, marking the start of Year 16 of the podcast. Expect passionate takes, varied perspectives, and plenty of music discovery.

Key Topics & Timestamps

• Kicking off Year 16 + July 2025 album highlights (00:02:30)
• Debating originality in modern metal vs. retro influences (00:16:10)
• Standout picks from mid-July releases, including supergroups and live albums (00:29:45)
• August 2025 highlights: technical death metal, gothic metal, and groove-heavy releases (01:05:20)
• Final thoughts on August’s closing week and recap of each host’s album of the week (01:55:40)

Actionable Takeaways for Listeners

1. Explore variety: Don’t limit yourself to one subgenre — standout releases this summer ranged from thrash to gothic to progressive metal.
2. Listen critically: Production quality, originality, and songwriting can make or break an album, even from established artists.
3. Check the underdogs: Independent and lesser-known bands like Mods, Caststrator, and Rust n’ Rage delivered fresh, unexpected quality.
4. Revisit legends: Alice Cooper, Halloween, and Deftones proved that veteran acts can still surprise with strong, relevant material.
5. Look for supergroups: Projects like Nefarious and Firstborne highlight how collaborations between seasoned musicians can produce unique results.
6. Stay open-minded: Some albums that didn’t initially appeal still sparked debate and earned respect on second listen.
7. Use album-of-the-week picks as a playlist starter — each host highlighted their top record for every week in July and August.

📌 Signals From Mars continues its mission to spotlight the best in new hard rock and metal. Whether you’re hunting for fresh riffs or curious about how the classics stack up today, this episode is a must-listen.

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