By JAY ROBERTS

It’s sad but true, the 9th year of The Cassette Chronicles has come to a close. I’ve continued to have fun writing the series.

There were another 22 new articles produced for the series this year. Some articles were produced just because I wanted to write about a band or an album. At least two pieces came about as tribute to a fallen musical icon.  But whatever the reason I had for picking a particular album, I love getting to discover or re-discover the albums from the viewpoint of here and now, even when I’ve been listening to some of those albums for decades.

Thanks to the continued support of Jay and Katie from Limelight Magazine.com, The Cassette Chronicles will be returning for a 10th year in early 2026. And if fortune smiles upon the production schedule without out real life getting in the way, we may just hit the magic #300 later next year.

I just want to say thank you again to everyone who has taken the time to read these articles whether you come directly to Limelight Magazine.com or you have seen one of the links I’ve posted on various sites across the Internet each time a new piece goes live.

Here’s to another great year in 2026 but until that starts, here’s the ten albums I’ve chosen (in no particular order) to spotlight for 2025.

See you next year!

(Please click on the cassette title to read the article)

#1 – SAVATAGE – STREETS: A ROCK OPERA

#2 – COUNTING CROWS – AUGUST AND EVERYTHING AFTER

#3 – BAD COMPANY – BAD COMPANY

#4  – BILLY IDOL – REBEL YELL

#5 – OZZY OSBOURNE – THE ULTIMATE SIN

#6 – DIAMOND HEAD – BORROWED TIME

#7 – D.A.D. – NO FUEL LEFT FOR THE PILGRIMS

#8 – STONE FURY – LET THEM TALK

#9 – DIO – SACRED HEART

#10 – LOUDNESS – THUNDER IN THE EAST