“In broken fragments I see your face, but they fall away and distort this picture.”
Continuing our List Week celebrations, next up we have our picks for the top 25 EPs of 2025. For many of us, the EP is the perfect medium, short and sweet; it’s a fantastic format for short flurries of brilliance without the risk of overdoing things. Many of us on staff are big fans of hardcore and metalcore, and this medium is extremely popular in both subgenres. Let’s be clear here – narrowing this down to just twenty five entries was extremely difficult for us, and there’ll undoubtedly be some picks that you, the reader, may not wholly agree with. That said, we deliberated for some time, and this list was the final consensus of our discussions.
One thing that we especially love about this format is the abundance of smaller acts that flourish in this space. You’ll notice this throughout our list: there’s a strong presence of both independent bands and DIY labels. Whilst we by no means intentionally pushed things in this direction, naturally, we were drawn in by the incredible talent that so many of these projects possess.
So, without further introduction, please enjoy our picks for the 25 best EPs that 2025 has had to offer.
25
Bludgeoned by Deformity – Epoch of Immortality (Iron Fortress)
Shane C: Maryland has long been a haven for death metal of just about every flavor. Dying Fetus, Misery Index, and Severed Head are among an incalculable swath of crushing acts that have refused to be anything short of unrelentingly brutal since the very beginning. The time has come to add another entry to a seemingly endless roster. Brutal death metal laced with hardcore cyanide could be the newest hot commodity based on what Bludgeoned by Deformity gave us with their defiling debut, Epoch of Immortality. Maybe it was based on obliviousness beforehand, but hardcore death metal is something the world needs more of if Bludgeoned by Deformity’s initial stab is any indication. This particular cross-genre blend is intersectionally domineering, if nothing else, for the fact that it combines the elements of differential sound so seamlessly, resulting in a product that takes no prisoners. Cannibal Corpse may not have released this year, but they at least did us the service of having a baby with The Acacia Strain.
24
Corpse Pile – In the Beginning… (Independent)
Shane C: With Devourment working on their next album, the best EP they never made came out this past October. Corpse Pile’s In the Beginning… is waterboarding with melted steel, never pausing for refills. Somewhere in the deepest recesses of hell, this EP is being gleefully blared. Torrential blast beats aside, the slammier sections of In the Beginning… are where Corpse Pile truly shines. It’s always very hyperbolic when music, even metal itself, is likened to a homicide-inducing sound, yet In the Beginning… is the closest many are likely to come to contemplating murderous debauchery. Everything is bigger in Texas, and death metal is chief among that. With this being Corpe Pile’s second consecutive year making it into our end-of-year lists, there’s only one way this was going to be footnoted: Fuck Your Life. Hardgore death metal forever.
23
Balmora – Prologue (Daze/Ephyra)
Nick: As the loudness war continues to dominate the modern metal scene, Balmora has focused their efforts on metalcore’s unpretentious roots. Across just three hard-hitting tracks, Prologue distills the genre’s foundational strengths: melodeath-tinged riffs, jagged tempo shifts, and bone-splintering breakdowns, anchored by an array of harsh vocals that span from hardcore barks to near-deathcore gutturals. With two EPs already under their belt, and a split release with the late Since My Beloved, the demand for a full-length Balmora effort has never been higher. Here’s hoping Prologue is aptly titled, and that it heralds forth something even greater.
22
BIND. – War In Heaven (Independent)
Joe: BIND. have been long-time favourites of ours ever since their debut singles. Their hard-hitting brand of metalcore has been an absolute joy to both listen to and see live. Packed with everything you’d want from such a band: two-steps, big breakdowns, and vocals that make you want to grab the mic, each turn of BIND. has seen them tweak and try something new. With their latest EP, War in Heaven, they touch on the metalcore revival sound, moving away from the familiar, more polished metalcore sound, while keeping the BIND. style of hefty vocals that utterly dominate the tracks, leading the likes of “Panic Dressed as Muscle Memory” through shout-alongs into spin-kick breakdowns. The BIND. we’ve all come to know, and love, is still here in their new form, and their ability to pull off a shift in style while keeping that makes for one of the best metalcore listens this year.
21
Post Heaven – The Space That’s In Between (Independent)
Joe: Perfectly blending the intensity of post-hardcore with the nuances and soundscapes of post-metal, Post Heaven’s sophomore EP, The Space That’s In Between, is some of the band’s tightest material to date. Leading track “Exit Wound” made a lasting first impression as the band’s debut via Greyscale Records, combining an infectious chorus with atmospheric aggression that made for a captivating experience. Opener “End Alone”, displayed the band’s softer and more melodic side as a somber, slow-building track that erupts into a climax of post-rock layers. Flowing effortlessly between their established extremes, The Space That’s In Between is a display of promise for the band as they carve their own niche into the post-hardcore scene.
20
So Far So Good – So Far So Good (Independent)
Shane C: UKHC spares little prowess in terms of two-step inducing execution, and So Far So Good embodies controlled chaos better than a lot of their peers. Their self-titled effort is quick, but feels effectively drawn out with beatdown hardcore staples left and right, front to back. Above all, some of the melodic bark within the bare-knuckle bite exacerbates a poignantly varied oscillation in sound on So Far So Good, propositioning that hardcore doesn’t need to exclusively keep the finger on the trigger at all times to sound great. Such deviations may end up becoming commonplace for England’s hardcore scene, should So Far So Good continue to tightly mesh separational elements. If any true UKHC dark horse exists at this very moment, it is So Far So Good.
19
Death Goals – Survival Is An Act Of Defiance (Independent)
Jack CG: Survival Is An Act Of Defiance is a celebration of queercore through-and-through, a monument to its community, its progress, and its refusal to lay down and die: not now, not ever. If you’re dense enough to not feel this through the ferocious arrogance of its stridulatious guitarwork, or its repertoire of significant queer voices stepping up to the microphone (like act three of a nostalgia-baity Marvel film done right), the dynamic duo of discordance are gracious enough to spell it out for you in spine-tingling spoken-word format: “Even an empire can burn… even a worm can turn”. As one can imagine, this declaration of war comes with a fistful of blood-lusty breakdowns capable of putting a sadistic grin on the face of even the most stone-cold of observers (followed swiftly by somebody else’s boot). At this point, it’s safe to say that Death Goals often find themselves the ring-leader of the UK’s pastel-pink-punk counter-culture revolution, and releases like this do a lot of the talking as to why: they bite hard, keep their friends close… and their enemies DEAD. If this particular extended-play had a scent, it would be a lily watered exclusively with gasoline.
18
Febuary – run like a girl (Independent)
Anthony: After the release of their instant-classic, self-titled debut album, screamo legends Febuary embarked on what was, hopefully, the hardest chapter of their career. A masterclass EP like Run Like a Girl can only be born from the hurt and trauma they experienced, between the exhaustion of being pigeonholed as a “female band” and the harassment and abuse from power-hungry producers. The title track exemplifies this the most, as it bursts with emotion in both its lyrics and music. However, this EP should not be defined solely by its pain. It’s a release that shows they are so much more than their struggles. Not only have they grown as songwriters, but also as individuals. They are proving that they are a band that should not be underestimated, one that has learned from their hardships. As they continue to rise, striving to become the biggest name in screamo (with plans to perform at Coachella 2026, as well as internationally), we will sit back and happily watch them defy the odds.
17
xWEAPONx – WEAPON X DEMO 2 (Daze)
Dobbin T: xWEAPONx are certainly buoyed by being the straight edge side project to the biggest hardcore band in the world, Knocked Loose, but the hype is deserved. These five tracks were released as a surprise, brandishing a unique taste of victory, hatred, and beatdown. They should probably stop calling these “demos”, as if it doesn’t sound literally perfect already. With features from Human Garbage and Earth Crisis, they once again connected the straight edge hardcore subgenre across the US, just as they did in 2023 with their World of Pleasure collaboration. Pulling off the trick of (more or less) opening and closing Manchester Outbreak with XweaponX material will be an extremely quotable factoid for years to come. There is a sense of frustration that one of the biggest straight edge bands will always be a ‘side show’, but if hardcore teaches us anything, it’s that it’s cool to be enthusiastic and get involved in music, no matter how big or small.
16
Wasted Life – At The Stake (Armageddon)
Joe: Hardcore that blends powerful riffs with genuine passion often produces some of the genre’s best work. This year, though slightly under the radar, Wasted Life dropped an absolute gem with At The Stake. This EP captures the same wrath and indignation found in bands like Broken Vow or Xiao, but pairs it with riffs that might remind you more of hardcore crossover acts like Asidhara or Pest Control. While 2025 may not have seen a definitive “breakout band,” if Wasted Life continues to deliver with this kind of quality, they could very well be the ones to take over the genre in 2026.
15
Monochrome – Haunted Faith and Hidden Trust (Independent)
Joe: Each year, there’s always an act I discover too late to feature in our Ones To Watch piece, with the likes of Apathy UK and Love Rarely being past examples. Thankfully, this time around, I was able to catch Monochrome just in time to include them. Their four-track EP, Haunted Faith and Hidden Trust, showcases an impressive range of sounds and influences. It’s no surprise that Monochrome won the Bristol leg of Metal to the Masses, earning a spot at Bloodstock this year. The EP blends shoegaze soundscapes, like the atmospheric build on “Bones,” heavy metallic riffs that resonate like steel on “Tangled Chain,” and vocals that shine through like sunlight breaking through trees on “Leave It All Behind.” With new material being played live that matches the quality of what’s on the EP, Monochrome is a band we’ll be hearing much more from in the year ahead.
14
onewaymirror/Kiowa/ipromisedtheworld – the snowball effect (Independent)
Jack W: “Screamo” has long been dismissed for its exaggerated style and scene-kid image. onewaymirror, Kiowa, and i promised the world (fka Sinema) are here to change that, bringing their A-game to showcase the genre’s special appeal. This bittersweet release marks the final chapter for underground icons onewaymirror, but they went out with a bang. “An Ocean Forms” kicks off the EP with that raw, demo-esque sound we love. The mix of fiery screams and whiny emo cleans is instantly nostalgic, a signature of onewaymirror’s three years as a band. Kiowa delivers with “What’s The Message Sent,” their strongest track yet. Metalcore-tinged, it blends fast riffs and chugging grooves, constantly shifting styles, and is a perfect example of the genre’s enduring appeal. Finally, i promised the world closes the EP with a masterclass in dynamics. By leaning into metalcore, they tease a newer sound, one they’ve since developed in their 2024 album Fear of the Fall. Both contributions to this release show the band has matured quickly, surpassing many peers and evolving faster than most veterans. This split, driven by a love for a fading genre, isn’t just a moment; it’s a perfect storm, reigniting a sound once forgotten.
13
at first, at first – The Courage of Shutting Up (Independent)
Jack W: A band who seemingly materialised out of nowhere, at first, at first exploded onto our radar with their debut EP The Courage of Shutting Up back in March, and have managed to remain in heavy rotation ever since. Playing in the space between traditional scramz and revival metalcore, they expertly strike a balance between melodic and heavy moments, with a level of precision well ahead of their years. If you were already a fan of scramz as a genre, then undoubtedly this EP will sit well amongst the plethora of existing acts you know and love, and if you’ve never forayed into the genre, then perhaps The Courage of Shutting Up is enough to win you over.
12
Warspawn – Immaculate Objection (Wax Vessel/Blackheaven)
Shane C: Metallic hardcore wrapped in the shamisan underpinnings of feudal Japan is something that could only come from the trio of Hunter Young, Aiden Bessent, and Jon Whittle. Exceptionality encompasses their entire wheelhouse (see PSYCHO-FRAME, Vatican, and Drowned Under Concrete), and Warspawn is no different. Obvious characteristics of cultural awareness aside, Immaculate Objection slices and dices for eighteen minutes with every ounce of Converge and Integrity influence that greases Warspawn’s blade. Two-step to your heart’s content or fend off a Mongol invasion; the sonic breadth of Immaculate Objection is infinitely vast and intends to give everything in its way an honorable death. If the heavier set of Digital Ghost Audio projects is too much for you, Warspawn serves as the ideal middle ground between uncompromising hack ‘n slash and moments of acoustic respite, ensuring Bushido-parallel adherence.
11
Rolo Tomassi – In the Echoes of All Dreams (MNRK Heavy)
Jonathan: Rolo Tomassi celebrate their 20th year as a band with In the Echoes of All Dreams. The four-track EP perfectly encapsulates the sound the Sheffield outfit has built over two decades, spanning their more chaotic mathcore roots to the more melodic, progressive direction they’ve taken in recent times. Opener track “Woodburn” takes a slow burn approach as it gradually builds in layers of lush atmospheres, while “Dead Language” showcases the band’s roots with their trademark aggression. Even in such a brief amount of time, Rolo Tomassi have expertly crafted an immersive and engaging experience that exemplifies why they’re a band worth celebrating 20 years of.
10
Mauled – Mauled (Independent)
Shane C: Holy mother of bass drops. Deathcore of MAULED’s brand isn’t for the faint-hearted, nor those that are balling on a speaker system budget. Their debut EP is as close to a self-titled Chelsea Grin as we may get in the contemporary revival space. Outside of the fact that MAULED bears an immeasurable weight in terms of compositional delivery, every track on their inaugural effort is outright sadistic, giving new meaning to what evil might actually be. From the onset of opener “Resume Carnage”, MAULED annihilates listeners in one fell swoop, with every subsequent breakdown another curb stomp to render us into mangled pulps. MAULED was never going to rely on recency bias surrounding the deathcore renaissance, and instead opted for a scorched-earth mentality that has seared an eternal brand into the underground landscape. For however long MAULED decides to stick around, they will be on a perennial warpath.
09
Told Not To Worry – Hands In The Air! (Independent)
Joe: The revival is flourishing, and the many inclusions from those scenes in these lists demonstrate that the current wave is producing some of the strongest material in its respective genres. While much of the spotlight has been on the comeback of deathcore and metalcore, screamo has also begun to thrive. Acts like Moral Bombing, Soap Box Derby, ennui, and Mountain Peaks have all dropped new material this year, offering variations within the genre while demonstrating its newfound depth. Among all these quality releases, none impressed us more than Hands In The Air! with its hellish screams (that could easily feature in a future PSYCHO-FRAME article) and menacing riffs that draw from a similar influence as Long Goodbye, combined with the mannerisms of early SeeYouSpaceCowboy releases. While the scene is currently in a healthy place and thriving, it’s hard not to see 2026 as the year when screamo will dominate, much like deathcore has this year.
08
Angel Number – II. (Independent)
Joe: There have been very few bands that have captured the imagination as much as Angel Number has over the past eighteen months. Their work on debut I. was essential and “The Fabric Speaks” sits among my favourite tracks in recent memory. With their latest entry, II., Angel Number has created a sound which is deeply majestic and captivating, one that those who pass through will have their mind furnished by the beauty of its soundscapes. The crystal-like synths on “Another Cathedral Wall” or expansive post-punk riffs on “Omen Of The Night” breathe life into their sound and lay out the world that Angel Number is crafting with each of these entries. With hopefully the third chapter just around the corner, we cannot wait to see what sounds and styles Angel Number has in store.
07
Church Tongue – You’ll Know It Was Me (Pure Noise)
Shane C: The Midwest brings a true blue-collar mentality to hardcore, and Church Tongue puts in as much work as anyone. You’ll Know It Was Me is the pinnacle of their craftsmanship and an expressive reverb of bitterness and devotion. The cross-polinative blend of Knocked Loose and Vatican is also apparent, given the presence of Michael Sugars and Nicko Calderon. Despite external influence, Church Tongue maintains an impassioned brand of hardcore all their own, setting a simultaneous pretense for two-steps and tear-ups all the same. If you’ve been searching for something that’s poignantly bludgeoning, You’ll Know It Was Me is the model demonstration of this year, as well as the hardcore soundtrack for small town syndrome.
06
Fromjoy – Ataraxia 19.13.8.1.19 (Independent)
Jack W: Fromjoy’s first release since the departure of vocalist Denver Dowling, Ataraxia 19.13.8.1.19 was, and remains, a defining moment for the band. Taking the chance to reinvent themselves, pushing the boundaries of their established sound and leaning further into experimentation, Ataraxia is Fromjoy at their purest: heavy, haunting, and beautiful. With Kel[lan King] and Gio[vanni Alvarez] stepping into the spotlight, the EP showcases the band’s depth of talent while making it clear no one is trying to replace Denver. Short but sweet, Ataraxia closes a cinematic arc years in the making and ushers in a new era. “Monochrome” expands on the sound of Of the Shapes of Hearts and Humans, with Gio’s haunting cleans drifting over echoing guitars, creating a sense of stillness that is equal parts haunting as it is beautiful. “Eternal.Harvest” then sees the band move in the opposite direction, exploring heavier territory, and letting Kel shine with a chaotic, aggressive, and raw vocal performance. The title track, “Ataraxia,” then ties everything together, a genre-blending behemoth that weaves through the band’s past and present, ending with a nod to their debut single. Ataraxia stands among Fromjoy’s strongest works, showcasing a clear willingness to evolve. It leaves us with plenty to be excited about from the band going forward.
05
Stolen Gun – Demo 2025 (Independent)
Shane C: Eleven minutes isn’t a whole lot, but it’s all that’s required by STOLEN GUN to unleash unfathomable hell. As an unofficial supergroup comprising of personnel from The Acacia Strain, No Cure, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and Pure Bliss, little in the way of doubt ever existed in terms of whether their debut demo would roll heads or not. Beatdown hardcore’s intersectional peak has been realized with STOLEN GUN, amalgamating the strongest characteristics of the acts from which its members are comprised. Every sonic element is tuned to the abyss, chief among them being Vincent Bennett’s immortalized growls. Time and time again, straight edge musicians prove that their personal vices lie within creating the most masochistically permeated sound, with its suppliers and consumers indulging in it en masse. For STOLEN GUN, they’ve put their own spin on the formula, with exquisitely bone-crushing results. Tune Low. Die Slow. Fuck You.
04
God Complex – He Watches in Silence (Sharptone)
Joe: While many lists will ponder the bands who have departed this year, it must be noted that one of the best, God Complex, made their full return with He Watches In Silence, after dropping “Salt and Ash” at the tail end of 2024. Leaning into influences of death metal more than ever, God Complex brandished the soundtrack of Dante’s Inferno. Tracks such as “Depraved Idol” and “Ba’al’s Trick” showcase why Harry Rule is one of the best vocalists out there, if not the best. With huge screams that encompass the track, matched with snarl and viciousness that strikes wrath, especially in a live setting. “Flooded Lungs”, fully seeing the light of day, delivers up one of the strongest tracks in the God Complex discography. The kings are back, and long may they reign.
03
Killing Me Softly – to forever fall through god’s safety net (Northern Unrest/Streets of Hate)
Dobbin T: We were so glad to see Killing Me Softly get the respect they deserve this year, supporting Poison The Well across a UK tour, and becoming a mainstay choice to headline local shows. This EP is their strongest material yet, a near-constant onslaught of their unique take on metallic hardcore. Jono’s ridiculous vocal intonations feel almost inhuman, and match the unexpected, constantly surprising riff work from the band. The finale, “A Keepsake Halo”, now crowns their discography as their best moment. Far beyond the typical beatdown project (which we love and respect), this is a full-course meal of metalcore compressed into a speedy EP.
02
Crowquill – Crowquill (The Coming Strife)
Anthony: In a world lacking quality new music in the style of Errorzone by Vein, Crowquill takes that sound and runs a marathon with it. Bursting onto the Leeds scene earlier this year and immediately signing a deal with UK metalcore label heavyweight The Coming Strife, you just knew in the days leading up to its release that this EP was going to be special. The self-titled debut displays 11 minutes of absolute chaos, with the live stage presence to match if the EP in studio form wasn’t enough to convince you. While it is their debut, Crowquil shows an unbelievable amount of talent that is usually only displayed in veterans. The band shows this best in the EPs greatest track, “The Family Faucet,” the only track with cleans (for now we hope). It also has the album’s only moment to catch your breath from getting crowdkilled at a gig with its ending. Stuff like this is why Crowquill is deservedly making waves throughout the scene, and one can only say that, with this much potential, the band will soon be a household name.
01
Long Goodbye – to reconcile with death for the sake of a beautiful ending (The Coming Strife)
Jack W: When Long Goodbye announced their sophomore EP, to reconcile with death for the sake of a beautiful ending, our expectations were understandably high, but nothing could have prepared us for the masterpiece they delivered. One of the UK’s most prolific touring acts, the Newcastle lads have quickly proven that there’s no better way to make your mark on the scene than putting on an incredible live performance.
Distinctly evolved from their debut release, to reconcile with death for the sake of a beautiful ending, embraces a much more jagged, raw sound than its predecessor. Every bit as brutal as it is nuanced, each track packs a punch in its own right. Signature chugs and two-step riffs remain, but they’re now paired with a heightened sense of eeriness and unease, egged on by panic chords, haunting samples, and subtle electronic elements that massively dial up the atmosphere to create a wholly immersive experience.
to reconcile with death for the sake of a beautiful ending shows Long Goodbye at their very best. All of the touring has paid off, and this EP feels like a real breakthrough moment for an already beloved underground act. There’s no doubt that Long Goodbye are quickly climbing the ranks of UKHC, and if this pace keeps up, they’ll undoubtedly go down in scene history as one of the greats.
