Written: 7th December 2024
In another excellent year for music, many bands continued to release EPs instead of full albums for a wide variety of reasons - from up and coming bands who may not have the financial resources to record an entire album to more established artists who want to try something stylistically different that may not sit comfortably on a full length piece of work. Below is the countdown of my Top 10 EPs of the year, which vary in their musical influences and styles but all of which I have played and enjoyed many times.
10: Forlorn Hope – Valour (Part I)
The first part of the quartet’s second full-length album, Valour (Part I) (full review here) is a collection of stories about recipients of the Victoria Cross. Drawing on the sonic colours of traditional heavy metal, they create six tracks of insanely catchy music. The Celtic tinged instrumental Greater Love Hath No Man and the racing rhythm of The Last Ride bring variety to the EP and the band’s history accuracy in their lyrics will be of interest to many.
Favourite Track: Ulysses, 1915
9: Valhalla Awaits – Perdition
On Perdition, Valhalla Awaits continued to produce gritty but eminently memorable anthems that will appeal a wide variety of rock fans. Showing all sides of the band, the songs range from the slower, blues rock of Staring At The Gun, the crunching riffs of All Hope Is Lost and the faster rampage of opener Door of No Return. With the consistently compelling vocals of Andrew Hunt backed by a band performing at the top of their game, Perdition is worthy of your time.
Favourite track: Staring At The Gun
8: Fragment Soul – Galois Paradox
Although mainly based within the realms of progressive metal, Galois Paradox (loosely based on the final days of 19th Century mathematician Évariste Galois) wanders through an eclectic musical landscape. At times ambient, atmospheric and reflective, at others, heavy, doom laden and melodic, its production allows each of these different approaches to shine. Fans of Nightwish, Opeth, Draconian and on occasion, Dead Can Dance will find much that resonates with them.
Favourite Track: All That I Despise
7: Trail Of Tears – Winds Of Disdain
Their first release since reforming in 2020, Winds of Disdain (full review here) was an extremely solid return for Trail of Tears. New vocalist Ailyn Gimenez gives a spectacular performance throughout (particularly on No Colours Left) and combines effortlessly with the growling vocals of Ronny Thorsen. With gothic, dark passages, moments of gorgeous acoustic guitars and rapid, jagged guitars elsewhere, Winds Of Disdain has more than enough diversity to maintain the listener’s interest throughout.
Favourite Track: Blood Red Halo
6: Far From Refuge – False Flag
Cambridge based Far From Refuge have no qualms about blending genres and on False Flag (full review here), their influences range from progressive metal, melodic death metal, metalcore, melodic rock and electronica, sometimes within the same track. With two extremely different vocalists, the quartet play with textures, dynamics and mood with apparent ease, as evident on the title track. On other tracks, such as Whitemane, they stay with one idea. Eighteen minutes of fascinating music.
Favourite Track: False Flag
5: Wizard Tattoo – Living Just For Dying
An intriguing and kaleidoscopic release, Living Just For Dying (full review here) covers a vast scope of musical territories from folk and classical to progressive rock and black metal. With some truly beautiful acoustic moments during the title track, Wizard Tattoo highlight their ability to create deep emotional resonance but are equally comfortable with the tremolo guitars and more nefarious nature of Tomorrow Dies.
Favourite Track: Living Just For Dying
4: Silveroller – At Dawn
Parading enticing hard rock and blues rock sensibilities, together with some excellent song writing, At Dawn harks back to a simpler time. Without ever becoming merely a pastiche, Silveroller hint at their influences which include Bad Company, Led Zeppelin and even early Rod Stewart. The six songs here play to the strength of the band’s musicianship and each one is impeccably structured. A strong statement indeed for a debut EP.
Favourite track: Come On, Come In
3: Toby and The Whole Truth – Look Out! Vol. 1
The first mini-album (containing six songs of a twenty song collection) sees the much loved Toby Jepson open his heart and lyrically dive into his struggles with mental health. Allowing himself full musical freedom, Look Out! Vol. 1 (full review here) contains upbeat rockers such as Alone With You, Sgt. Pepper era Beatles influences on The One Turns Out The Light - and the funky swagger of Sweet Smell of Success.
Favourite Track: What Will It Take?
2: The Radicant – We Ascend
The brainchild of former Anathema frontman Vincent Cavanagh, We Ascend (full review here) allows him to experiment and explore a new array of musical atmospheres. Cinematic, ambient and flawlessly constructed, it moves away from the progressive rock of his former band. A mosaic of delightfully ethereal pieces, We Ascend completely succeeds and will reward any listener willing to fully dive into the engrossing world Cavanagh has created.
Favourite Track: Wide Steppe
1: Sever Red – Sick and Tormented
Although some of the tracks (see my review of Afraid here) were released in 2023, the fully realised and final version of Sick and Tormented was released in January 2024. With a sound that conjures the post-grunge world of Early 2000s hard rock, the anthology of tracks vividly deal with vocalist Kevin Riner’s battle against addiction. Engaging use of dynamics, formidable guitar solos and range of timbres - from darkly passionate to tortured anguish – mean that Sick and Tormented is exceedingly re-listenable and relatable. Their new single Conjuring (review here) is due for release in January and the band are more than deserving of their rapidly expanding fanbase.
Favourite Track: Afraid
Listen to my Top 10 EPs of 2024 sampler (my favourite track from each release) below. I have included Alone With You by Toby and the Whole Truth as not all tracks were released digitally.