Before turning the page to a new year, Cary the Metal Geek and Sean the Metal Pigeon take a wide-angle look at everything that defined 2025. In this extended rewind episode, the guys reflect on the albums that dominated their listening over the past year—and admit they were genuinely surprised by which records ended up standing out the most, with unexpected favorites and late-year releases reshaping their perspective.

The conversation turns reflective with an In Memoriam segment, honoring the musicians, artists, and influential figures we lost in 2025 and recognizing the lasting impact they left on metal and music culture. From there, Cary and Sean revisit the biggest moments in metal and music news, breaking down the stories that shaped the scene and sparked conversation throughout the year.

The episode wraps with discussion of recent live shows, including reactions to performances by Sarah Brightman, Omnium Gatherum, and Death Angel, sharing what made each show memorable and how they stacked up live.

Part reflection, part tribute, and part concert recap, Episode 316 serves as MSRcast’s thoughtful send-off to 2025—before charging headfirst into what’s next. 🤘

in time for their long-awaited reunion and upcoming appearance at ProgPower next year. We break down their entire discography in a full tier-list showdown, and trust us…the rankings might surprise you.

But that’s not all—there’s plenty happening across the metal world. We dig into lineup and vocalist shake-ups with Firewind, Arch Enemy, Angra, and Metal Church, plus excitement builds as a brand-new Anthrax record nears completion. Of course, we also share what we’ve been spinning lately, and take some time to get to know Will beyond the riffs.

Explore the metal universe at msrcast.com, your one-stop hub for all things MSRcast. Immerse yourself in podcast archives, interviews, reviews, and more.

Connect with us via msrcast@gmail.com, and stay updated on our socials @msrcast and @themetalpigeon.

Connect with Cary and Sean on Facebook! Be sure to like our official fan page at facebook.com/msrcastofficial for all the latest updates, and join the conversation in our official Facebook group, the Metal Geeks Society—where metalheads and geeks unite!

Spread the metal love – share the show, subscribe on iTunes, and leave a review. Enjoy the metal journey, and Keep It Metal!

MSRcast 316: 2025 Rewind