Written by Kirk
I don’t know about you, but I love a good EP. Maybe it’s my ADHD or the fact that I spend so much time listening to music (seriously, it’s a lot), but I get kind of put out when I listen to an album that has, like, one or two really good songs and the rest don’t measure up. A good, tight, strong EP really is a treat, and you should never overlook them. EVER.
2023 was probably the first year in a while where I didn’t come across a lot of EPs. Between Bandcamp subscriptions, Noob Heavy reviews, and just personal shopping preferences, I was drowning in albums but barely up to my ankles in EPs. But these EPs simply blew me away, and I think you’ll dig them, too:
Slow Wake — Controlled Burn (Feb. 27)
I forget exactly when I started following Argonauta Records, but they give away a ton of codes and have a pretty great lineup of bands if stoner rock, doom metal, and heavy psych are your thing (as they are mine). A fantastic little piece of stoner/doom that really makes me look forward to hearing more. Argonauta Records are really collecting a wealth of great stoner/doom bands, and Slow Wake is no exception. This song really dips into both sub-genres, too, opening and closing with the slow and heavy while filling the middle with some brilliant stoner rock. This one will definitely take you places.
Slain Thought — Acedia (Mar. 10)
This EP will absolutely and completely warp your mind. The blend of doom, drone, industrial, post-metal, and noise rock comes together so organically that you’ll find yourself wondering why no one has ever combined these styles together in such a way before. “Tell Me Why the Flowers Died” sounds like the score to the most terrifying horror movie ever made. “25th Lucid Hour of Begging” is total SUNN O))) worship but somehow darker. And “Acedia (The Joyless Heart)” is just pure paranoid anguish. Leaps and bounds beyond the first EP, this most recent collection of songs of nothing if not nigh perfection. If tapes are your thing, get one while you can.
Warwitch — Monument of Death and War (Apr. 20)
Blackened thrash wasn’t on my radar for 2023, but sometimes it’s the unexpected gems that are the most rewarding. Hard to believe this is a one-person project, because this EP goes about as hard as you can imagine…and then goes just a little bit harder. It’s one of those things that gets better and better each time you listen to it. And if you’re a tapehead like me, make sure you snag a copy on cassette while they last.
Chloe Dancer — The Hum of Eternal Midnight (July 14)
One of the first Syrup Moose releases back in late 2022, Chloe Dancer offered a dark yet delectable take on blackgaze that was particularly heavy on the atmosphere. I guess having no vocalist will do that to a band, but that all changed when everyone’s favorite vampyre, Espi Kvlt, joined their ranks and unleashed (un)holy hell all over these five tracks. Turns out the only thing Chloe Dancer was missing was…well, Espi!
These next two EPs were also really, really good, but I didn’t quite fall in love with them the same way as those listed above:
This Summit Fever — Distraction Rituals (Apr. 28)
If you’ve ever wondered what it would sound like if Scott Weiland fronted a stoner rock band, your quest is at an end. This Summit Fever may be a duo, but their sound is much, much bigger. And while they may not have released an album yet, there’s plenty to enjoy both here and on their other releases. Perfect for that drive to the ocean or to pump you up before you catch a few waves.
Mothman and the Thunderbirds — Gazer (June 23)
I did a full review of this EP back in June, which you can read right here, so I’ll be brief: I have yet to cease being amazed at the sheer talent that Alex Parkinson wields. The breadth of style that he’s managed to cover in such a short period of time with Mothman and the Thunderbirds is nothing short of staggering, and this EP is just another feather in his cap. Plus he’s teasing us about another album, so 2024 is sure to be a wild ride.
If you managed to catch one or more of these kickass releases last year, hell yeah! Cheers to you! And if not, I hope you add them to your wishlist or streaming queue (where available). Just promise me you won’t pass up on any EPs in 2024; you might be missing out on your next favorite record.
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