Rock and Metal Moments I Can't Wait For In 2025

Riley Edmett
Jan 8
3 min read

2025 promises to be another big year for rock and metal [photo: Integrella]

You've nursed that hangover. You're grumbling about having to go back to work. You haven't even started on your resolutions yet. Yep, it must be the New Year.

Like the year before it, 2025 has a lot to get excited about as a rock and metal fan: new albums, tour announcements, and everything in between.

As such, here are 5 moments I personally can't wait for in 2025.

The Reveal of Ghost's Next 'Papa'
With a world tour on the horizon, and new music all but confirmed, it's only a matter of time before we find out the next addition to the weird and wonderful world of Ghost.

Hit film "Rite Here Rite Now" saw Papa Emeritus IV/Cardinal Copia get promoted to Frater Imperator, the new head of the band's fictional organisation. This leaves the 'frontman' position open for the taking.

Rumours and theories are rife, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

Our best glimpse yet at the next potential Papa has been a pointy silhouette behind a door...with the tour kicking off in April, surely that door's got to open soon?

Our best look yet at Ghost's next enigmatic frontman [photo: Ghost]
Babymetal Play Their Biggest UK Headline Yet
After a stint of UK dates in 2023 (and a 2024 Download Festival set cut short), Kawaii metal idols Babymetal return to the UK in May with a massive headline set at London's O2 Arena.

The band's 2025 tour sees them bringing a full arena tour to Europe for the first time, with the O2 Arena being their only UK venue.

Babymetal return to the UK after a Download set cut short [photo: Babymetal]
Support comes from Poppy and Bambie Thug, the latter of which I'm really looking forward to. I first saw Bambie playing the Underworld in Camden back in 2023, and so seeing them hit up one of London's largest indoor venues is a great trajectory.

'Ouija pop' haunts London: Bambie Thug supports Babymetal on their 2025 tour [photo: BBC]
Iron Maiden Hit The Big 5-0
This year sees British heavy metal royalty Iron Maiden hit a major career milestone, marking a whole 50 years since the band was formed on Christmas day 1975.

In true Maiden fashion, a half-career expanding tour is in the diary, celebrating their first nine albums (their self-titled debut all the way up to 1992's "Fear of The Dark").

The tour, kicking off in May, sees the band stop at Birmingham, Manchester, and London.

The shows will also mark the debut of Simon Dawson as live drummer for the band, following long-time drummer Nicko McBrain's retirement announcement in December 2024. This marks the first line-up change in over 20 years, and it'll be interesting to see how Dawson fits in. He already has the camaraderie with Maiden bassist and chief Steve Harris, playing in British Lion together, but Maiden is a whole other beast (no pun intended). Dawson will have some very big shoes to fill indeed.

If that isn't already enough to incite intrigue, vocalist Bruce Dickinson has promised that this will be a "setlist for the ages". Strong words given the band's previous few tours. We'll see if it delivers.

Iron Maiden return to the UK this year, promising a "setlist for the ages" [photo: Iron Maiden]
A 'Proper' "From Zero" World Tour
If you weren't one of the 10 people that managed to get tickets for Linkin Park's London show back in September 2024, fear not! The band have announced a "full length" world tour celebrating "From Zero".

The 59-date tour sees a stop at London's iconic Wembley Stadium in June, marking one of, if not the, band's biggest UK show. Support for the London show comes from Spiritbox and JPEGMAFIA.

As far as the future of Linkin Park is concerned, the tour will also show the longevity the band has to offer. Was it a one-and-done, or are Linkin Park here to stay?

Linkin Park take Wembley Stadium on the 28th June 2025 [photo: Wembley Stadium]
New Music From Arch Enemy, Killswitch Engage and More!
Arch Enemy. Killswitch Engage. Jinjer!

These are just a few of the high profile bands releasing new music this year. If leading singles are anything to go by, we're in for a treat. Personal highlights include Arch Enemy's "Dream Stealer" and Bloodywood's "Nu Dehli".

With a bunch of smaller, more local-level artists working away as well, we're guaranteed another year of solid, filthy riffage.