2025 has most certainly been an interesting and somewhat healing year for me. At the end of 2024, I was a couple of months into starting to recover from the severe burnout I had gotten myself into. I can’t remember exactly how it started, but all I do know was that by the end of September 2024, I was feeling the following a lot of the time:
- Resentful and bitter about a lot of things and people
- Tired and exhausted
- Didn’t enjoy the things I once did
- Stressed out
- Wasn’t able to be present
- Tearful and upset
I knew from this point that some things needed to change. So gradually, I started cutting things out of my life that were making me unnecessarily stressed. I started to find some healthy habits and stuck to them this time, and I listened to my body and didn’t force myself back into things just yet. Recovering from burnout is a very weird thing; one minute you’re full of energy, then the next you have unintentionally done something to push yourself too far and put yourself back at square one.
So instead of a top ten albums post like I do every year, I am going to share with you some albums, EPs, interviews, and events from 2025 that have helped me along the way of my burnout recovery. Also, due to the fact that during my recovery from burnout, I haven’t been the best at keeping up to date with albums. So without further ado, here’s my list of things.
EP: Runereader – A Frost That Never Thaws
This was one of the first EPs I reviewed for the year, and writing my thoughts on it helped me feel motivated. RUNEREADER is one of those artists whom you can’t just pigeonhole into one genre, and this EP is solid proof of this. Hearing these eclectic sounds not only gave me something intriguing to dive into, but it also gave me some hope and energy that I will get my drive back again.
Read my review of the EP here.
Find RUNERREADER here.
Interview: Stormcast
STORMCAST often seems to come back into my life when I need them the most, and this interview was no exception. Each interview I have conducted is always incredibly insightful, and they are a band that weirdly helps me reset and refocus. I’m not sure what it is, but either way, this interview helped me once again to reset and refocus my energy on remembering my why; why I decided to create this website.
Read my interview here.
Find STORMCAST here.
Event: Avantasia @ The Roundhouse, London
During most of 2024, I wasn’t completely present at shows. AVANTASIA is a band that doesn’t tour very often, yet when they do, it’s a magical experience. Their London show took place a few days before my birthday; I had listened to the new album enough times to know and enjoy the newer material and felt a rush of nostalgia when they played their classics. What was incredible about this show was the guest appearance of Bob Catley as they belted out a personal favourite and classic, The Story Ain’t Over; a song that has helped pull me out of that hole several times and it brought those emotions to the surface. It was the first live show I had felt present at for a long time, and to enjoy it with some of my loved ones was even better.
Find AVANTASIA here.
Event: Epic Fest 2025
I experienced a lot of anxiety leading up to Epic Fest. Before I left, news of an impending restructuring at my day job had been shared, causing a lot of anxiety due to the uncertainty. So, I was worried whether Epic Fest would help me or not; I had gone the year before, and it did then, so I was somewhat hopeful. It’s on this list of things, so the event definitely helped. It was at this event that I started to try to move away from the ‘should have, could have’ mindset; when I caught myself thinking ‘I wish I could have seen this band,’ I reminded myself that I enjoyed each of the bands I did get to see. The fantasy-like atmosphere, friendly goers, and fantastic music lifted my spirits and brought out my carefree side a bit more, something I had long forgotten. It also helps that it’s a beautiful part of Denmark that’s peaceful and tranquil, providing that much-needed downtime after being overstimulated.
Find out more about EPIC FEST here.
Album: Panthalassan – From The Shallows of the Mantle
One of the things that helped me a lot with burnout recovery was discovering new artists and reviewing their content. PANTHALASSAN’s From The Shallows of the Mantle was a great album to dive into as there was so much beneath the surface. I personally love the press packs that include the lyrics as part of it as they are fantastic to delve into and analyse as a writer. Especially when the lyrics are about a subject matter that you are deeply fascinated by, in this case it was aspects of mental health. I personally can’t wait to see what this artist cooks up with next.
Read my review of the album here.
Find PANTHALASSAN here.
EP: Tales Of Time – The Journey
This EP was incredibly important this year, it was the first EP I felt excited to review for a long time. During my burnout stage, writing about anything seemed like a slog and a chore; especially when my mind was so foggy. It was especially exciting as EP’s give me more headspace to do a track by track review and this one had lots to delve into. This was also based around a personal journey taken by some of the band members making it relatable to those listening to it.
Read my review of the EP here.
Find TALES OF TIME here.
Album: Warkings – Armageddon
I wasn’t brilliant at keeping up with albums this year, in my recovery state a lot of them blurred in my brain. The one that was consistently great and kept going back to was the latest offering from WARKINGS. They are one of the bands that get better with each release and Armageddon keeps up this sterling reputation. This album is full of pumping anthems such as the title track, Kingdom Come, Genghis Khan and Nightfall. It also has some that stray away from the crowd in a remarkable way such as Here Comes The Rain, Stahl auf Stahl and Circle Of Witches. This became one of the albums I turned to when I needed a boost.
Find WARKINGS here.
Interview: Vanquisher
It was VANQUISHER’s first time in the UK so I knew this interview was already going to be interesting. It was and not only that, for the first time in years, the interview was captured in photos. These natural photos not only take me back to that interview, but they show me doing what I do best, in one of my happy places and enjoying every moment. It showed me to appreciate each and every moment that I experience; seeing it through another pair of eyes definitely helped me to shift perspective.
Read my interview here.
Find VANQUISHER here.
Event: Southampton Fantasy Fest
Speaking of VANQUISHER, they were one of the bands to play at the first Fantasy Fest. It took place at The Hobbit, Southampton last year and it was a blast. It was the first time for years that I had a photographer with me and was part of a press team. The whole day itself was magical and like an escape from modern day life. There was great music, stalls and lots of cosplay; it stated on an Instagram video that it will be taking place again this year so will be keeping my eyes peeled for more details.
Read my review of the event here.
Event: Quest Fest 2025
Every year, whatever I am feeling, Quest Fest always gives me something positive to focus on. This year was no exception. Even after a shaky start of breaking my phone screen before the festival and having to buy a new one, the festival itself is somewhere I can go and be my true authentic self. This year the festival grew in size with a venue upgrade and change. It was my first time at this venue too so it offered a more mindful experience as well.
Read the review of Quest Fest here.
Find QUEST FEST here.
Album: Dämmerland – Dammerland 2
This was another album that helped lift my brain out of the fog, so much so that I nearly wrote an album of the month post about it. It was through the song Du Kommst Hier Nicht Rein, a recommendation on the Release Radar list, that piqued my curiosity. I then decided to check out the album it was on and I was hooked. I think the fact that it’s based on a fictional world also helps with that escapism.
The album offers up many twists and turns that you often don’t see coming. You have the fun and jaunty tracks such as Mehr ist Mehr and Auber Suppe, Alles Schnuppe that provide that morale boost and party spirit. There’s epic sounding tracks such as Sand Der Zeit; there’s a part in this track that brings The Lion King to mind, in particular Circle Of Life. Ever wondered what RAMMSTIEN would sound like if they took a more prog turn? Willkommen In Der Dunkelheit will give you a rough idea on what that would sound like.
This was an album I turned to time and time again for that morale boost.
Find DÄMMERLAND here.
Looking back on all of these only makes me more determined to continue the recovery process and get a lot closer to being me again. Stay tuned for posts and some exciting news ahead.
For now, take care of yourselves and stay safe.
Words: Lotty Whittingham
