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2024 has been a bumper year of EP's, with some of the best we've heard in years! Across the entire scope of alt and heavy music we've seen a litany of phenomenal releases, with some debuts pushing the boundaries of music and some late career gems, from bands of all sizes - an honourable mention must go to the band flat (@flat.dchc on Instagram) from Washington DC, whose demo wasn't quite inside our top twenty but deserves a shout out for punching so far above their weight! With that one mention though, we'll lead into the main juice of our article - the Rage Network's top twenty EP's of 2024. Let's get into it!
Пять Сантиметров В Секунду (Five Centimetres A Second) - Тлеть (Look)
Despite the first minute of the EP doing its best to not show off the heaviness of the release, this might be one of the most accomplished EP’s on this list - which is even more impressive seeing it come on Пять Сантиметров В Секунду’s debut release! Mixing in facets of hardcore, slam, death metal, techno, nu metal and metalcore, it’s a multi genre explosion of sound. There are moments reminiscent of Bad Omens, others of Knocked Loose, and even some of Party Cannon, in the chaotically brilliant 17 minutes that make up this phenomenal debut EP by Пять Сантиметров В Секунду - JL
Paledusk - Palehell
Japan’s finest experimental metalheads Paledusk return for their new Pale Hell EP. Brimming with energetic cyber sounds and extreme unpredictability, they bring something completely unique to the alternative music scene. Working with Bring Me The Horizon on a sample for the Brit legends' latest release 'POST HUMAN: NeX GEn', they rip apart the constructs of nu-metal, electronica and j-rock to provide a new fantastic act that is incredibly exciting to get behind - AB
Killing of a Sacred Deer - Killing Of A Sacred Deer
Killing of a Sacred Deer have, in the space of 14 minutes, managed to recreate the atmosphere of hell. Songs like ‘Mangled Flesh Cathedral’ evoke the unbridled, incendiary rage of the most brutal slam, grindcore and hardcore going, and the features from Cauldron, Serration and World Of Pleasure provide a slight twist on the already potent formula that only serves to make this self-titled debut into even more of a landmark release. Killing of a Sacred Deer haven’t pulled a single punch - every riff, every breakdown, every divebomb pulls your mouth into a grimace that will last for far longer than the lean runtime on display - JL
Chaos Reigns - Sweet Violence
Chaos Reigns’ newest EP ‘Sweet Violence’ is a powerful introduction to the band’s dynamic sound. Tracks like ‘Graveyard Shift’ and ‘The Lotus King’ weave together crushing breakdowns, soaring clean vocals, and emotional lyrics that explore themes of inner struggle and perseverance. The balance between melody and heaviness is brilliantly handled, offering moments of reflection alongside sheer aggression. The production is polished without losing the raw, almost DIY edge that makes their music hit so hard. With ‘Sweet Violence’, Chaos Reigns have begun to build a strong foundation for their future, proving they are a band with passion, potential, and a huge future ahead of them - VR
Chubby and the Gang - Cocaine Sunday
Chubby and the Gang’s ‘Cocaine Sunday’ captures the raw energy of punk and the swagger of rock ‘n’ roll in a tightly packed 12 minute EP. Tracks like ‘The Bonnie Banks’ and ‘To Be Young’ showcase the band’s ability to take a typical British indie sound and combine it with punk charged lyrics to create something uniquely them. The release radiates both chaos and charm, making it a wild yet heartfelt ride. Chubby and the Gang manage to channel the spirit of classic punk while crafting something that feels fresh and relevant. ’Cocaine Sunday’ is a high-energy, unrelenting showcase of the band’s infectious sound - VR
Mirar - Mare
The word ‘instrumental’ truly doesn’t hold the weight it should most of the time. Mirar might have remedied that situation with their blindingly heavy EP ‘Mare’. The claustrophobic, industrial terror they evoke across half an hour's worth of caustic, abrasive music. In the same way a vengeful god could cause fear and awe simultaneously, this EP creates contrasting emotions that work to both scare and impress the listener in equal measure. Finale ‘Cauchemar’ might just be the most accurate soundtrack to the apocalypse we’ve ever had recorded, and even the soft piano outro doesn’t take away from its devastating power - JL
Agriculture - Living Is Easy
Black metal so often just a nihilistic outburst of vitriol - but Agriculture has taken the typically negative genre and created one of the most beautifully affirming statements of life to date with it. ‘Living Is Easy’ is a gorgeous, heart-wrenching, Deafheaven-esque release about the beauty of living and being alive. The title track in particular is seven minutes of lush emotion that can and will bring you to tears. It’s the sonic equivalent of a final goodbye to your loved one yet knowing you’ll see them again one day, or the last boat crossing the horizon under a beautiful sunset. Agriculture are modern metal masters - JL
BIG ASS TRUCK - BIG ASS DEMO
Get your two stepping boots on, it’s slightly silly hardcore time. BIG ASS TRUCK’s ‘BIG ASS DEMO’ is a five song, 12 minute example of how much fun it can be to just let loose and throw some arms around. With 12 CC’s of fuck you injected into the bands engine, they’ve released an EP that any modern hardcore fan should be able to put on and start grinning to immediately - JL
GEL - Persona
Rage never sounded so good. American hardcore rockers GEL prescribe to a diet of relentless, fast-paced punk with their new EP 'Persona'. The record solidifies the band’s constantly aggressive sound with vocalist Sami Kaiser’s unapologetic growls and guitarist Maison Nave’s remarkable ferocity. Calling all greebos straight into the pit, GEL provide the power as one of the best hardcore acts in the scene - AB
Mallavora - Echoes
Mallavora’s Echoes is a compelling EP that seamlessly blends alternative rock with metal influences. The title track, ‘Echoes’, begins with hauntingly delicate melodies before erupting into a thunderous finale, while ‘Vultures’ layers powerful grooves with dynamic, soaring vocals. Each song is layered with intent, tackling tough themes of resilience, loss, and hope. The EP’s tight production highlights the band’s intricate musicianship, capturing their passion and energy. Mallavora’s thoughtful lyrics and emotive delivery make ‘Echoes’ a standout, and honestly, severely underrated, release for the UK scene this year, solidifying their place as rising stars in the heavy music scene. With this release, they’ve set a high bar for what’s to come - VR
No Cure - I Hope I Die Here
Combining the groove of traditional hardcore with the aggression and tone of modern metallic hardcore, No Cure have brought out a behemoth of heaviness in their twenty minute long release ‘I Hope I Die Here’. The pulverising project begins with ‘Hang Me From The Bible Belt’ and doesn’t let up for even a second until the very end of eighth song ‘Warcry’, with particular highlights coming in third and fourth with ‘Forced Coagulation’ and ‘The Basement Beneath The Fountain’. The southern moshers are in for an enormous 2025 if they can keep this up - JL
Bodysnatcher - Vile Conduct
A rising name in the deathcore scene coming off of a great run supporting Spite, Bodysnatcher's newest EP 'Vile Conduct' is a brutal, unapologetic display of the bands power and future. Whilst all six tracks delivering crushing breakdowns, sharp riffs and emotionally charged lyrics, songs such as 'Human Disdain' and 'Infested' stand out for their energy - seamlessly blending the intensity of deathcore with hardcore's ferocity. 'Vile Conduct' showcases Bodysnatcher's ability to channel rage and pain into into a cathartic listening experience, that leaves a lasting impression on fans - LJ
EVERGARDEN - In Light
Released in January to far too little fanfare, EVERGARDEN started the year with an absolute bang. In just four songs, they explore the extremes of their oeuvre and the apocalyptic trudging wall of sound that has come to define the black metal/shoegaze scene whilst also delivering ethereal melodies and cutting emotional vocals through their almost overwhelming layering of blasting drums, sweeping guitars and guttural growls. 'In Light' is the soundtrack to an apocalypse happening just outside the window - it gives a sense of serenity and comfort amongst the chaos and delivers an emotionally cathartic experience, and we simply cannot wait to see what this dynamic duo has in store next - DS
House Of Protection - Galore
A warm welcome goes out to newcomers House Of Protection, producing their second EP this year in ‘Galore’. Coming from a wealth of experience with Fever 333, Night Verses and The Chariot as landmarks in dynamic duo’s Stephen Harrison and Aric Improta’s journey, their new project House Of Protection has strong foundations, and a seasoned capability to turn every song they produce into something phenomenally catchy. The band is captivating, capturing each mood with tight electronic elements and raw unbridled anger. A sanctuary of boundless creativity, House of Protection are at the forefront of an exciting new movement into the musical landscape of 2025 - AB
HANABIE. - Bucchigiri Tokyo
‘Bucchigiri Tokyo’ is the latest release from HANABIE., bringing metalcore sounds and the Harajuku aesthetics together in a beautiful, yet unexpected marriage. The EP features all the elements that make HANABIE. who they are, with the constant contrast between clean vocals typical of Japanese idol pop and the harsh, heavy vocals that remind us that HANABIE are a metalcore band. This EP builds on HANABIE.'s previous releases, experimenting more with synthesisers and synthesised vocals, whilst keeping the spirit that gets you ready to rock and geek out at Tokyo. If you want to satisfy your inner otaku, then this EP is perfect for you - AS
Footprints in the Custard - Live Laugh Lads
‘Live, Laugh, Lads’ by Footprints in the Custard brings to you 4 songs and 15 minutes 40 seconds of pure joy. ‘Oh Fuck! (You’re Gonna Make Me Party)’ is the big hit from this EP, which does exactly what the name suggests, and will leave you smiling and wanting to jump straight in the pit. The band are a right laugh, with plenty of comedy laced throughout the entire EP, and whilst they are usually up for a giggle, the song 'For The Freaks' takes a slightly less outright comedic tack. Being alternative has all too often caused us to be picked on or weeded out, but songs like these truly bring us all together into the community we've become - CH-E
Vower - Apricity
This first offering from post-hardcore supergroup VOWER is a masterpiece of emotional soaring vocals and instigating screams courtesy of Josh McKeown (Palm Reader). Enticing, epic and inviting soundscapes exploring very prog-metal-esque guitar pieces provided by Joe Gosney (Palm Reader / Black Peaks) and Rabeaa Masaad (Toska). All of this is supported by the colossal drum patterns and swaggering, hypnotic bass lines from Liam Kearly (Black Peaks) and Rory McLean (FrogLeap). This definitely feels like a product more than the sum of its parts with each element taking centre stage throughout the four track EP and leaving you to marvel at the scale and sincerity of the emotion, sound and excellence displayed. Apricity means the warmth of sun in winter and 'Apricity' certainly embodies and delivers that warm reminder of a sound that has been sorely missing in the scene for a while - DS
Cody Frost - Anatomy
If you have not listened to 'Anatomy', go and do it now. Now think - how are we supposed to accurately portray the range of genius on display? Alternative heavy takes on pop/rave-inspired anthems, grand gothic vampiric love stories that double as allegories for the do-or-die attitude that Cody embodies, and piano laden ballads with that 80s dark synth breakdown. Cody Frost has been very open in regards to their musical influences (Enter Shikari/SOFT PLAY/Gorillaz) and throughout 'Anatomy' there are definitely some touches that act as both a love letter and evolution to the genre, whatever that genre may be. It is doubtless that Cody Frost will be credited in other artists' influences sooner rather than later. This is the kind of EP which is best listened to on full blast four or five times in a row, just to appreciate every detail - DS
Sylosis - The Path
'The Path', Sylosis’ latest EP, is a thrilling addition to their already stellar discography, cementing their place as modern metal pioneers. Combining melodic death metal, thrash, and a touch of metalcore, the EP showcases the band’s signature technicality and emotional depth. Across five tracks, Sylosis delivers sharp riffs, thunderous drumming, and dynamic shifts that keep listeners hooked. Josh Middleton’s vocals are exceptional, ranging from the iconic growls to soaring clean melodies, perfectly complementing the EP’s intricate arrangements. The title track, featuring Debbie Gough of Heriot, is a standout moment, adding a powerful dynamic to their sound. Tracks like 'Disavowed' and 'Soured Ground' are equally compelling, blending intensity with thoughtful composition. The polished production enhances the energy and precision of the performances, making every note hit with a purpose. 'The Path' is more than just an EP; it’s a statement of Sylosis’ unwavering excellence and artistic evolution - LJ
unpeople - unpeople
In a year that’s been absolutely stuffed full of excellent music, unpeople have still stood out like a beacon. Their groovy, live show ready riffs and screams are up there with the very best of the 2024 heavy music pantheon, not to mention the fact that their live performances are already stellar. Having only released one song before 2024, the lead single ‘smother’, the band were in for a big year anyway with the release of their debut project - but that didn’t account for the utter brilliance of the entire thing. It’s a self-referential piece of alt-rock/metal that speaks to the declining mental health of a generation, and runs a razor tone over a sheen of sardonic wit that’s tough to not fall in love with instantly.
‘smother’ is an instant standout for its simple yet addicting guitar line and singalong chorus, but ‘going numb’ and ‘waste’ bounce along with all the energy of a toddler drinking Red Bull, whilst ‘moon baboon’ and ‘overthinking’ have the weighty heft of stadium-sized anthems. The fact they have opened for Metallica shouldn’t surprise anyone who’s listened to this already, and it should prepare anyone who hasn’t heard them for just how spectacular this band is - and for the world beaters they will inevitably become - JL
These were all selected as part of an open entry long list submission (for OOR contributors), which were then whittled down to a shortlist of 40, and those were then voted on by the contributors to create our final twenty.
Writers: Amber Brooks, Atoosa Salamat, Ciara Hicks-Evans, Danny Sanders, Jake Longhurst, Vee Richardson
Editor: Jake Longhurst
Cover Photo: Sarah Farooque - Sylosis
Voters: OOR Contributors
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