Amplified w/Darby

In this episode, I run through my favorite records of 2025, hit a few of the music news stories worth talking about, then wrap it up by narrowing everything down to my Top 10 albums of the year. Along the way I get into records from Jason Isbell, Deftones, Turnstile, Sleep Token, Ghost, Bon Iver, Wednesday, Amanda Shires, and more. These are the albums I spent the most time with in 2025. I will post the lists and a full playlist on my IG.Follow me on Instagram: @darbyradioFind me on TikTok: darby.amplified

Music news for December 30th, 2025. I get into Refused playing their final show, a Hot Ones episode with Gwar and Insane Clown Posse, updates involving Mark Tremonti, Wolfgang Van Halen, and Stone Temple Pilots’ Robert DeLeo, and what Dave Mustaine has been dealing with physically. I also talk about Nikki Sixx explaining why some bands didn’t make it onto the Return of the Carnival of Sins tour, Shinedown describing how different their next album will be, and an ex-KISS member charging over $500 for his new music.Follow me on Instagram @darbyradio and TikTok @darby.amplified.

No new episode of Amplified this Friday (December 25), but don’t worry — two new episodes are coming next week: one breaking down the biggest music news of 2025 and another covering my favorite albums of the year.In this episode, I run through a grab bag of stories, including a photographer accusing Sleep Token of using her work without permission, Black Stone Cherry launching a foundation to support local artists, and Nergal talking about celebrating Christmas while being a Satanist.I also touch on Slipknot at Resurrection Fest, music that excites Wolfgang Van Halen, upcoming albums from Puscifer, Karnivool, and Down, plus thoughts on Jelly Roll receiving a pardon and Bullet for My Valentine claiming they’ve got three albums’ worth of material.Wrapping things up with a holiday send-off and a quick look ahead.Follow me on Instagram @darbyradio and have a great holiday.Amplified w/ Darby | Holiday Breaks, Year-End Teases, Christmas For Satanists & Does Vessel Wear A Sling Bag?

A lighter end-of-year episode as Darby runs through the few new releases for December 19, 2025, then hits the week’s music news featuring Chat Pile, Rainbow, Jack White, The Rolling Stones, Queens of the Stone Age, Ghost, Evanescence, Jane’s Addiction, and more — including a truly ridiculous Glenn Danzig story. Year-end lists are coming next.

Consequence names Deafheaven Band of the Year, John 5 makes the case for Mötley Crüe in the Rock Hall, and Guns N’ Roses pop up at a wild corporate party lineup. Lzzy Hale talks switching producers and pushing Halestorm into uncomfortable territory, Dave Mustaine earns his jiu-jitsu black belt at 64, and Adrian Smith gets a turn with Kirk Hammett’s legendary “Greeny” guitar. I also hit the Discogs most-collected list, the Creed/Limp Bizkit summer run, and end with a big note: Trent Reznor says new Nine Inch Nails is the priority.

New releases are thin this week and mostly reissues, with Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here 50th anniversary as the standout. I run through the week’s music news, including Metallica, Iron Maiden, Guns N’ Roses, Megadeth announcing a movie, Deafheaven teasing new music, Neko Case’s upcoming tour, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club sending a cease and desist, Deftones doing something cool for their hometown, and a quick thought on how people are listening to music again.