Revolver magazine has officially unveiled the winners of its highly anticipated 2025 year-end awards, highlighting a year where alternative metal veterans and modern enigmas alike ascended to arena-headlining status.
Taking the top honor of “Artist of the Year” are Sacramento alt-metal legends Deftones. The band, who released their critically acclaimed tenth studio album private music earlier this year, has successfully transitioned into a full-blown arena act. The publication cited the band’s enduring relevance as a primary factor in the win, noting how their influence has permeated the underground shoegaze revival while simultaneously capturing a new generation of fans through social media.
Meanwhile, the “Album of the Year” accolade was awarded to the masked collective Sleep Token for their fourth studio effort, Even In Arcadia. The record not only made chart history but also solidified the group as a global touring force. Revolver highlighted the band’s evolution in a live setting, where their elevated stage production and visuals have scaled up to match their massive commercial growth across multiple continents.
In the touring category, Ghost was crowned “Live Band of the Year.” The Swedish occult rockers had a banner year, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with their latest album, Skeletá. Their win comes amidst a year of massive logistical shifts for their live show; the band implemented a strict “phone-free” policy during their 2025 world tour. The controversial decision, designed to force total audience engagement, evidently paid off in the eyes of the critics.
Finally, the “Song of the Year” trophy went to the star-studded collaborative track “End Of You.” Released in September, the single features a vocal trinity of Evanescence‘s Amy Lee, Spiritbox‘s Courtney LaPlante, and genre-shifter Poppy. The track’s polished aggression was crafted with help from former Bring Me The Horizon keyboardist Jordan Fish and Spiritbox guitarist Mike Stringer, who both handled writing and production duties.
The full list of winners and features can be found in the latest issue of Revolver.
