2025 seemed to end in a flash. While we were worried about the world order collapsing, a lot of good metal albums broke loose from the asylum. One of those was "Miserere" by the Greek Thrash/Black Metal outfit, CROSSOVER, released on November 7, 2025 via Sleezy Rider Records. These metal veterans pull all the stops on this album, including one live track, several guests, and even a 'hidden' track. We're talking 14 tracks (62 minutes) in total here.

A lot of bands explore one area of music and then just move on to the next, continually evolving over time. Instead of leaving styles and subgenres behind, CROSSOVER just carries it all with them. "Miserere," for example, has a bit of everything, from Folk to Black to Death to Thrash. There's even some Black 'n' Roll. The themes of the songs also range from deadly serious to stereotypical dark and evil to downright hilarious.

There are fistful or more standout tracks on this album. My favorites include "Black'n Roll" which encompasses everything a great black and roll song should—"Oh, Bless me Satan – Black 'N' Roll / Bless me Elvis – Rock 'N' Roll." Title-track "Miserere" (featuring Amalia Douka) is another one that bears repeating with scathing Thrashy riffs off-set with Death and Doom inflections. A mystifying and totally gratifying track, this one.

Following right on the heels of "Miserere" is another standout, "Poet's 'Death,'" a brutal beat-down of a track. If you like to mix it up with acoustic interludes mixed with heavy thrashing, "Reincarnation of Jordano Bruno" is sure to score. The hidden track, "Σπουδαίος Και Τρανός Δεν Έγινα (Spoudeos Kai Tranos Den Egina)," is another standout track incorporating all manner of evil. Actually, I have no idea what this song is about—all Greek to me—but it comes on heavy and just never stops. Love it.

If 2026 isn't working out for you, there's always a chance to dial it back a few months and take in an album you might have missed. I'd recommend "Miserere" from CROSSOVER. It doesn't even matter what kind of metal you're into. So long as symphonic pirate isn't your bag, this album is sure to please.