Short format releases are becoming ever more popular across the music scene. EPs provide a real sweet spot for an emerging artist, requiring far less material and studio time to come to fruition, yet they often provide almost as much value for listeners as a full album. With our ears trained on the heavy end of the music spectrum, the quick bite of an EP is often the more valuable dose. For these reasons we work hard to cover EPs from artists big and small throughout the year, and we now present our top EPs of 2024.
Forming our EPs list leads to much more debate than the singles list as we bicker through placements. The album list is, of course, a source of even greater contention, but this year was particularly spicy for EPs, prompting a bit of a war for the top spots. We were eventually very happy where things landed, and are all proud of the list’s variety. It’s no mistake that almost all of these releases come from projects we’d consider to be in their ‘early days’ – we’re proud of how far they’ve come, and keenly anticipate how far they will be going.
25
Chaos Reigns – Sweet Violence (Independent)
Dobbin T: Sweet Violence is Chaos Reigns embracing their full potential. Lighting up small venues across the UK with a rejuvenating mathcore sound, they’ve been captured in incredible fidelity on this release. You can feel their stage antics peeking through during all the crazy diversions on “Violent Delights” and “Graveyard Shift”, and they’re quite capable of landing straight-up catchy moments on “Snakes & Branches” and the epic closer “The Lotus King”. Interest in chaotic, yet precise hardcore has not noticeably waned, but if it’s on the uptake again thanks to the likes of Better Lovers, Chamber and Pupil Slicer, Chaos Reigns are ideally positioned to break out.
24
Gravitate- The Reckoning (Loudmouth Records)
Joe: After showing their promise on Clarity of Distance, it was evident that Gravitate were absolutely brimming with potential. After nearly two years, they showed their worth on The Reckoning, with honed production for pure fighting music. Rough and ready in every manner, the barked vocals and sharp riffs will have the adrenaline pumping, and once again shows the strength of the heavy new wave from Australia.
23
Mirar – Mare (Independent)
Max: New-school instrumental thall merchants Mirar have been making quiet but considerable waves within the underground prog/djent community as of late, releasing a string of stellar singles that stand tall with the greats of the subgenre. Naturally, the next course of action would be to, out of almost nowhere, drop an entire EP that contains exactly none of the material released as singles, and instead stands as its own self-contained piece, replete with some of the wildest and most unhinged musicality the metal genre has seen all year. That EP is Mare, featuring tracks like “Hestehov” and “Oslo” that give even genre titans like Vildhjarta and Humanity’s Last Breath a run for their money in capturing the purest essence of what thall is, whilst meaningfully injecting a unique flair into the sound that feels signature by design.
22
Pest Control – Year of the Pest (Independent)
Emily: As a follow up from their debut album in 2023, Leed’s Pest Control dropped their second EP, Year of the Pest, in late October this year. With their hardcore values and two-step rhythms, combined with the visceral hostility and arm-breaking riffs of thrash, this release spans just over 10 minutes and serves as an explosive introduction to Pest Control’s crossover sound. Each track has its own stand out moment – with “Time Bomb” featuring an insanely addictive and hard-hitting breakdown, and “P.M.C” introducing us to catchy vocal cameos from the rest of the band. It’s safe to say that you’ll truly be under some “Parasitic Mind Control” from the earworms you’ll catch after listening to this EP.
21
Celestial Sanctuary – Visions of Stagnant Blood (Independent)
Emily: One of Metal Blade Records’ most recent roster additions, Celestial Sanctuary, kept up their steady momentum this year with the release of their latest EP, Gavage of the Vile. Clearly picked out for their exceptional talent and reimagination of old-school death metal, Celestial Sanctuary’s newest release is packed with vile soundscapes and disgusting riffs – each song offering a different perspective on their style. With this release and inevitable future works, there is no doubt that Celestial Sanctuary will continue to quench your Insatiable Thirst for Torment, and hold up the UK death metal scene with their relentless abrasion.
20
False Reality – Path of Self Destruct (Independent)
Joe: 2024 has been nothing short of a breakout year for False Reality, unleashing their debut Path of Self Destruct which delivered some of the best UKHC of the year. Tracks such as “Pay The Reaper” and “Opposite React” have been mic-grabbed at shows up and down the country. What False Reality have shown this year is not only their ability to put together a fantastic record in Path of Self Destruct, but also hard work in touring from Torquay, Leeds and Brighton pays off, as they’ve seen themselves become more than a staple of the UK scene.
19
concealer. – dissonance [all that keeps me away] (gauntlet records)
Jack W: Florida based metalcore five-piece, concealer., exploded onto the scene earlier this year with a stellar blend of post-hardcore and old-school metalcore. Consisting of members of Bury Your Idols amongst others, it’s easy to see where some of this ability came from, but nobody was prepared for the sheer brilliance that was the dissonance EP. One of the shining stars amongst an already thriving Florida scene, concealer. have truly tapped into something special here, and we wait with baited breath to see what 2025 holds for them.
18
Angel Number – I. (Independent)
Joe: Since Angel Number dropped “The Fabric Speaks”, it was more than evident that the returning act were onto something special. As single after single dropped, including “Fateful” and “Worthy Host”, it proved that the wider project at hand would be spectacular. While I. might be the first chapter in this, what Angel Number have crafted already sets them more than apart from anything in the UK scene, and with time they more than deserve to have themselves recognised as a special act upon our shores.
17
VOWER – Apricity (apricity records)
Jonathan: Born from the ashes of beloved UK bands Palm Reader, Black Peaks, and Toska, VOWER present their debut offering in the form of the 4-track apricity. The release is sure to fill some voids, marrying the distinct styles of each band into a unified and unique sound. Sludge-laced djent grooves punctuate each track with a haunting ambience, managing the impressive feat of balancing the sounds of its origins. The iconic vocals of former Palm Reader vocalist Josh Mckeown lend massively to the cinematic sound of each song, with powerfully stable vocals that effortlessly break into ferocious screams on tracks like “In The Wake of Failure” and “False Rituals”. VOWER’s formation is perhaps the best possible outcome following the deaths of these three bands, and the road ahead for them is promising and exciting.
16
Fly Over States – Ghosts (Fever Ltd.)
Jack W: It’s hard to deny that both the screamo and post-hardcore are in full swing this year, and Montana based Fly Over States showcase some of the very best material in this space. With the release of their sophomore EP, Ghosts back in May, it was clear that they were onto something unique. Integrating real-life stories into the EP’s narrative, the band takes time to memorialise those lost to tragedy, taking aim at the capitalist system that led to their deaths. With that said, the EP is certainly not dreary by any means, instead channeling the emotions surrounding this into a level of angst which rivals early Underoath. As a follow up to 2023’s Anti-Aircraft, another stellar release, the band have shown their ability only improves as time goes on, and having now toured with the likes of Blind Equation, Dreamwell, and Circuit Circuit, the future is looking very bright for Fly Over States.
15
Corpse Pile – Hardgore Deathmetal (Maggot Stomp)
Shane C: Misanthropic and malevolent to an incomparable degree, brutal death metal outfit Corpse Pile slice and dice their way to the front of the slam-filled pack with Hardgore Deathmetal. Fuck Your Life. Death metal forever.
14
Long Goodbye – i used to dream of drowning (The Coming Strife)
Jack W: Forged from the remnants of Creak, Long Goodbye seemingly came out of nowhere this year, dropping one of the most exciting metalcore debuts in recent memory. “I Used To Dream Of Drowning” is 11 minutes of non-stop aggression, and with the backing of The Coming Strife, it should come as no surprise that these guys know how to cause chaos. Showcasing a very different end of metalcore revival compared to what we have seen coming out of the US this year, Long Goodbye is a breath of fresh air in what was once a saturated genre, and, alongside a few other notable names, are ushering in a new era for UK hardcore/metalcore.
13
Agriculture – Living is Easy (The Flenser)
Tim: Agriculture stand in a lane of their own amongst metal bands which they have dubbed “ecstatic black metal”. 2024’s EP Living is Easy continues to challenge any preconceived notions about what’s possible within this space. In a space of four tracks, two of which are definitively not metal by and large, they again prove they’re doing things that no other black metal band has even yet thought of, let alone executed. Even so, the more blackgaze passages, most notably the whirling intro of “In The House Of Angel Flesh” can hold weight against anyone in the genre.
12
No Cure – I Hope I Die Here (SHARPTONE)
Shane C: Straight-edge newcomers No Cure erase any doubts of their prowess in I Hope I Die Here. Twenty minutes will come and go in the form of a blisteringly technical hardcore switchblade, with many enjoying the pain and unapologetically asking for more.
11
unpeople – unpeople (SHARPTONE)
Jack CG: unpeople, unpeople, unpeople… What’s there to be said about this band that hasn’t been said already? Their sudden debut upon Press To MECO’s conclusion lit somewhat of a fire underneath the UK alt rock scene, as it became abundantly evident that the bar had been raised and, for what it’s worth, is still standing to this day. Naturally, this path to world domination is partially owed to the pure-bottled lightning that is their first self-titled effort. unpeople wastes no time in planting the band’s flag deep into the ground and immediately setting them up with a meaty head start. It’s a stacked deck of fan favourites that aren’t going away anytime soon. Whether it’s infectious hooks with blissful harmonies, anthemic banners rallying against the internal and external struggle of the human race, or even the occasional surprise beatdown that you seek – this EP proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that unpeople have it in stock, and probably have some more in the back.
10
Bloom Dream – It Didn’t Have To Be This Way (Independent)
Dobbin T: Bloom Dream arrived on our radar fully formed with this short record (technically an LP in the band’s eyes, but we fought to include it in our lists somehow. You may call us out). They are an unusual keytar-wielding band out of Florida, initially existing in a more prog-meets-heavy-gaze space. They took a deliberate and incredibly successful step into screamo this year for It Didn’t Have To Be This Way. It’s a profoundly sad record, opening with its protagonist searching for some way out of a miserable life. Each track then examines a different injustice, described graphically and – most painfully – specifically (closer “Violence” is among the most emotionally affecting heavy songs of 2024).
9
Life’s Question – Life’s Question (Flatspot Records)
Joe: This is the record that has always felt like Life’s Question have had in them, improving on their strongest of vocal juxtapositions in World Full Off… and perfecting the production and mix. Life’s Question have delivered their best work to date on their self-titled EP. Moving through “Brass Coffin”, “When I Meet God”, and “Something Out There”, Life’s Question have put forward their best riffs and hooks, while also writing lyrics that ponder on much of what life has to offer, living up to their name.
8
Second Impact – Effigy (Morality Police Records)
Dobbin: Another Florida band making an incredible mark on the US circuit this year, Second Impact are embracers of a certain “freak rocker” attitude within hardcore, forcing them into new styles and techniques for every song. Effigy balances their goofy demeanor, essential for the small-show world, with extremely serious lyrics: anti-cop sentiments, self loathing, and, of course, righteous revenge. The emo sensibility of closer “Placeholder” seals the deal, and we excitedly anticipate their moves in 2025.
7
Counterparts – Heaven Let Them Die (Pure Noise Records)
Max: Counterparts’ follow-up to 2022’s A Eulogy For Those Still Here surprised us through multiple facets. Chiefly, the sudden-drop rollout injected an ungodly amount of hype into Heaven Let Them Die’s release campaign. However, this would not have been nearly as effective had it not worked in tandem with the EP’s second big surprise – just how heavy this thing is. Easily showcasing Counterparts at their most outwardly pissed off yet, Heaven Let Them Die is a no-holds-barred cage match in the melodic hardcore space. Vocalist Brendan Murphy sounds more varied and unhinged than ever here, providing a vocal performance perhaps more becoming of an END record than Counterparts. This, alongside some absolutely killer guitar and drum performances from Jesse Doreen and Kyle Brownlee respectively make for one of the most enthralling heavy releases of the year, all released into the wild with no anticipation whatsoever.
6
Love Rarely – Lonely People (Independent)
Kath: 2024 has been a breakout year for Leeds-based newcomers Love Rarely. The quintet hit the ground running early with the release of their debut EP Lonely People in March, with their dynamic blend of bright, intricate guitars and Courtney Levitt‘s punchy, versatile vocals bringing a breath of fresh air to the UK’s heavy music scene. Now with a growing live presence, a deal with Big Scary Monsters, and the release of followup singles “Mould” and “Whiplash” under their belt, it’s clear that Love Rarely are far from resting on their laurels as they continue to build momentum going into 2025 with work on their debut album already underway.
5
Killing of a Sacred Deer – Killing of a Sacred Deer (laughingcorpse)
Jack W: Deathcore done right, Killing Of A Sacred Deer came out swinging on this release, putting on a masterclass in unrelenting violence, and bringing new fans into the deathcore scene in the process. Released in conjunction with Wax Vessel, the level of quality was near undeniable from the get-go. Whilst the last few years have seen many bands tackle the revival sound, very few have captured it and made it their own as well as Killing Of A Sacred Deer have here. Standing tall amongst some impressive peers, this self-titled EP is a must-listen for any self-respecting deathcore fan, and with features from the likes of Frazer Cassling of Cauldron, and Jess Nyx of World of Pleasure and Mortality Rate, this revival mainstay is equally appealing for the hardcore scene alike.
4
Durendal – Monument (The Coming Strife)
Nick: Durendal have emerged in 2024 with a fresh yet nostalgic sound with their debut EP Monument, delivering a masterclass in tight, cohesive MySpace-era metalcore. With crushing breakdowns and riff-heavy, melodeath-inspired melodies, this band is one to watch for anyone still yearning for metalcore to make a full-fledged return to its roots.
3
Kaonashi – The 3 Faces Of Beauty: A Violent Misinterpretation of Morgan Montgomery (Equal Vision Records)
Jack CG: It’s been a busy year for the Philly scene’s bravest post hardcore soldiers Kaonashi. This particular trip around the sun has seen them extensively touring the US, UK and Canada several times over with the likes of Omerta, Protest The Hero and Boundaries, alongside a few cheeky festival drop-ins such as their flabbergasting ArcTanGent set. Despite their calendars being considerably booked, they still seemingly found the time to grant us not one, but two major releases, the first of which being our star of the show. The 3 Faces Of Beauty… proves to the world that Kaonashi positively do not mess around when it comes to being one of the most mind-melting yet alluring outfits on the scene, with a good amount of its angst-dripping tracklist having gone viral in some capacity. This is in part owed to elements including, but not limited to Peter Rono’s frantically eccentric vocal delivery, or perhaps the equally erratic instrumentals. It’s perfectly entangled within its emotional rollercoaster of a concept, as consistent speed, structure, and emotional state prove optional in the best way possible.
2
Greyhaven – Stereo Grief (Solid State Records)
Max: Kentucky’s premier perpetually-underrated metalcore unit Greyhaven return in quick fashion following their fantastic 2022 LP, This Bright And Beautiful World, with Stereo Grief – an EP that demonstrates, perhaps as loud and clear as ever, why Greyhaven deserve to be selling out venues and record stores across the world, and now. With some of the most infectious hooks of the year (see: “Past Material”, “The Welcome Party”) and some truly mind-melting riffwork (see again: “The Welcome Party”), Stereo Grief is metalcore masterwork, and, with any justice, evidence that this band’s big mainstream breakout moment is surely just around the corner. With the band’s first EU/UK tour (alongside Better Lovers and Frontierer) slated for next month, hopefully the hearts and minds of many across the world will be as enraptured with Greyhaven as I, as has been deserved for so, so many years now.
1
fallingwithscissors – the death and birth of an angel (Independent)
Jack W: One of the few bands appearing on multiple Boolin Tunes lists this year, fallingwithscissors released nu-core perfection earlier this year with The Death And Birth Of An Angel. A band that, until recently, was not on many’s radar, fallingwithscissors launched themselves onto the scene with this EP, instantly cementing themselves as the standard for nu-core going forwards. Including hit tracks “Atrophy:Angel”, and “Tripping > Wires”, this EP is, without a doubt, one of the biggest and most impressive releases of 2024. Very few bands are able to combine genres so effortlessly, and this band’s ability to move in and out of so many genres across this EP is something truly impressive. Sonically magnificent, and with iconic branding to match, fallingwithscissors’ The Death And Birth Of An Angel is truly a masterpiece, and we are extremely excited to see what they’re cooking up for 2025.