Best EPs of 2017

            Normally I don’t get exposed to too many EPs within a year, and if I did then it would be from a band I really respected or loved. If that were the case, and I really loved the EP then it might end up finding its way onto my “Best Albums” list. The length of an album is never an issue with me, as long as it is good.

            2017 surprised me a bit; I was exposed to a greater number of EPs that I not only liked, but found good enough that any one of them could compete with the Full-Length releases I loved this year. Some of these I liked as much as my #1 Album!

            I’ve learned a bit from my last list, having realized that putting my favourite thing in the list at the top kind of numbs the blow and makes going down the list rather pointless. So I am simply reversing it, descending numerically. Ok, let’s rate stuff.

6. Cult of Eibon – Lycan Twilight Sorcery

            As hard as I can try, I have never truly been a fan of traditional Black Metal. Lo fi blastbeats, tremolo picked guitars and intense repetition never does the trick for me. There’s a dying (thankfully) stigma that all Black Metal must pay tribute to the frankly overrated scene which started Black Metal in Norway, that’s not to say some great music didn’t come from there at that time; but the praise the whole movement gets is truly unwarranted. More interesting music was going on elsewhere at the same time, particularly in Greece. Strong melody, powerful drums, and more diverse vocals make up the trademarks of Hellenic BM. Cult of Eibon pays tribute to all of these in their latest EP, and their first with Iron Bonehead Productions.

            Clocking at 32 minutes, there’s enough here for a full length Album. However, the band and the label call it an EP so that’s good enough for me. One of the things you want most with Hellenic Black Metal is Riffs, and Eibon deliver in plenty. Post intro song “The Dweller of the Woods” is a strong contender for best on the EP, ushering in a strong rhythmic guitar riff with some punchy drums with a strong melody throughout the song. Choral synthesizers haunt most of the EP, giving it an antiquated feel and adding plenty of atmosphere. A few surprises lie in wait as well, greatest of these being a very technical and progressive segment in “Lycan Twilight Sorcery” where the syncopated drums and guitar work as one for a very cool riff, surely being one of the strongest riffs on the EP. The only weakness I would have to say is present is some repetitive guitar parts, some sounding recycled from previous songs on the EP. The main draw for this album though is the drumming. I could have sworn it was a drum machine upon first listen, but that is not the case; everything is unbelievably sharp on this EP.

Favourite Track – Dweller of the Woods

5. Autopsy – Puncturing the Grotesque

            Throw up your horns. This EP is pure (or unpure), hazy, crusty Death Metal. And it’s great. Autopsy are at this point an “Industry Professional” Death Metal band and typically what is to be expected of that is a cookie cutter, clean produced, lower case death metal album that hardcore fans can complain about. With their 30^th anniversary this year, Autopsy have unleashed a surprise with this album because it is everything a Death Metal album should be.

            Autopsy sound like a young band playing out of a basement with something to prove on this release and it’s an amazing formula, because really they are professionals at this but there’s something about the way this EP was produced and the writing on it that just screams “lawless new blood”. The first single “Puncturing the Grotesque” is a rollicking, drum riding, combo of Punk and Death Metal that is a golden formula. Drummer/Vocalist Chris Reifert belches out passages at breakneck speed that often turn into Punk shouts, the latter half of the song breaking out into a purely Rock and Roll guitar solo. Following track “The Sick Get Sicker” is a classic Death Metal concoction, echoing older Autopsy releases. Hearing a Death Metal band release something new, which sounds like something old is every fan’s dream… It’s hard to explain. The rest is all just great: simple, no nonsense Death Metal that will have anyone grimacing.

Favourite Track: Puncturing the Grotesque

4. Mastodon – Cold Dark Place

            My favourite aspect of Mastodon is Brent Hinds, no second guesses. He is the lifeblood of the band, closely followed by drummer Brann Dailor; some may find that proclamation controversial but you probably don’t care so whatever… It’s true. Firstly, he has a very distinct voice. Think Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top with extra whiskey thrown in the mix, that being said he is a very soulful singer.

            This is all relevant due to the fact that this EP is practically a Brent Hinds solo effort, his appreciation for bluegrass and traditional Americana comes through strong here as befits his voice. Wrapped up in mournful lyrics about love, loss, and dying relationships, the typically light music contrasts the EPs subject matter well. Mastodon as a unit released Emperor of Sand earlier this year, but that effort never came close to the emotional nakedness this EP has. “Cold Dark Place” as a title track truly stands out to me as a dark and personal look into a former relationship where Hinds felt a love not present in the other party, reflected in withdrawal in Hinds.

I reach out to touch you baby

You're not there

You reach out to hold my hand

Please don't you dare

            

            Though this track is the true standout to me, the other 3 hold up particularly well. Especially “Toe to Toes”, the leading single off the EP. A light and catchy song fronted by bassist Troy Saunders, this song is a leftover from Emperor of Sand and really I think it deserved to be on it.

Favourite Track: Cold Dark Place

3. Ulver - Sic Transit Gloria Mundi ep

Similarly coming off a full length LP this year in The Assassination of Julius Caesar, Ulver released a small collection of 3 songs keeping with the Synthpop/Darkwave sound of the album. Sounding a bit more varied than some of the fare on the album, this EP is a welcome release. Ulver used to be a Black Metal band if you who decide to listen to this can believe, and they did a complete 180 with their sound on almost every subsequent release since their 3^rd album, over 2 decades ago. Now even with the identity crisis the band has seemingly had, they have sure footing with their decision to stick to electronic and pop music.

The variety here is great for a short 3 songs, and singer Kristoffer Rygg at times gives off a dark Bowie vibe, which is quite a delight. This EP has noticeably more guitar than anything Ulver has done in a very long time, taking a backseat to the drums however. 3^rd track “The Power of Love” is a potent and surprising Synth and Piano ballad, with some rather silly lyrics for such a serious band, but it is a lovely song.

Favourite Track: Bring out Your Dead

2. Kamasi Washington – Harmony of Difference

            Jazz Tenor Saxophonist Kamasi Washington is a man who had drawn my ear a couple years ago due to two reasons: first, he had been a collaborator with Kendrick Lamar, on “Mortal Man” and simply because I had wanted an exposure to modern Jazz. I’m glad I made that decision, because he is truly an outstanding artist. And a good door into the genre, as his influences are many and worn on his sleeve.

            Harmony of Difference is a very complete work, and it feels like a full length Album. That is not to say it drags on, because it doesn’t in the slightest. Despite bearing the artist name Kamasi Washington in my Spotify library, this is a truly collaborative effort bearing over 30 musical personnel. Washington, as band leader often takes a step back to let the music and other instruments breathe. Something very appreciated in a Jazz recording, as it can get claustrophobic very quickly. I was pleased to hear and pick up on Thundercat’s presence on the album, another Kendrick collaborator; he is a very interesting addition to a full band Jazz EP being himself an Electric Bassist.

Every song on here has its own life, and its own energy. The thing I appreciate most about Jazz is that on an Album there is no pressure to feel the need to connect the songs, it can be nice to see that but if the songs need no connection then why try? Many artists do this in an attempt to look “eclectic” or “conceptual” and granted many of my favourite albums are concept albums, but that is not necessary to make good music.

Favourite Track – Truth

1. Schammasch – The Maldoror Chants: Hermaphrodite

            It is a very rare thing to be able to craft a sound so unique and so different that you become hard to describe.  Schammasch, through the several releases I’ve heard from them, have been able to do this on every single album. To try and describe their sound could be a disservice to them, so I will try and only focus on what I hear.

            This is a very conceptual piece of Music, being inspired by a series of French poems from the 19^th century concerning a fictional evil entity in opposition to the Gods of the world. One surefire way I can be able to describe Schammasch’s sound is, musically ritualistic and repetitive. They have in the past released Black Metal albums, and that can be seen at times here. The first few tracks of this EP are pure buildup, but they’re never boring. Echoing drums and whispered passages are interpolated by the sound of breath, it’s unsettling and dark to say the least. Every song in this trilogy of buildup has its own level of intensity, some getting close to Black Metal drumming and guitar and vocals getting closer to shouting, it is only on the 5^th track out of 7 that we hear actual singing. 

            The best aspect of this EP is the buildup I would say, because even without hearing the whole thing you know that at some point you’re in for some kind of release… “Chimerical Hope” provides that and more, it’s opening notes pure blastbeat drumming backed by layered whispered, muted guitar and enjoyably audible bass guitar accompanies the harshest vocals we hear on the album, reciting passages from the poem.

Favourite Track – Along the Road that Leads to Bedlam