Let’s face it—sometimes you want to dive into a band’s music, fully soak in their carefully crafted vibes, but let’s be honest… who actually has the time for a full album these days? That’s where EPs and mini albums come in: short, sweet, and just as satisfying. Perfect for when you want the experience without the commitment. We rounded up 20 of the coolest EPs and mini albums released this year so you can get your fix without clearing your schedule. You’re welcome.
Sylvaine – Eg Er Framand
SYLVAINE‘s “Eg Er Framand” traces back to the roots of Norwegian solo artist Kathrine Shepard. Her second EP includes interpretations of traditional Norwegian folk songs, along with three of her own original songs to the Cannon.
Alase – Beyond Our Imagination EP
Finnish progressive metal outfit ALASE, were responsible for releasing one of the best Finnish metal album last year. This year, they are back with a 4-track EP entitled “Beyond Our Imagination.”
Fixation – Speak in Tongues
The award-winning metalcore band FIXATION released their conceptual mini-album, “Speak in Tongues,” this year. The EP consists of eight tracks, of which only four are full songs and the other four are shorter interludes that connect the overarching story related to a sense of belonging and identity.
Xandria – Universal Tales
“Universal Tales” is the second EP by German symphonic metal band XANDRIA. It was released on November 22nd, 2024, via Napalm Records.
Delain – Dance with the Devil
Dance with the Devil is the third EP by Dutch symphonic metal band DELAIN. It was released on November 8th, 2024, via Napalm Records.
Trail of Tears – Winds of Disdain
In 2013, the Norwegian metal outfit TRAIL OF TEARS disbanded after releasing their last studio album, “Oscillation.” 11 years later, the band made a much-anticipated comeback with the EP, “Winds of Disdain.”
Unpeople – Unpeople
Released on April 19th, 2024, via SharpTone records. UNPEOPLE released their latest self-titled EP, including two singles, “smother” and “waste.”
Unearth – Bask in the Blood of Our Demons
UNEARTH have released a new digital EP, “Bask In The Blood Of Our Demons,” which features a mix of unreleased tracks and dynamic live performances.
Mare – Mirar
On 10th June, 2024 French progressive metal act MIRAR released their 6-track EP, “Mare.” The band combines neoclassical compositions with progressive metal ideas and instrumentation, resulting in a refreshing sound.
Persefone – Lingua Ignota – Part I
Andorran extreme prog metal unit PERSEFONE released their recent EP, “Lingua Ignota: Part I,” on February 2nd, 2024, via Napalm Records!
Dear Mother – Necessary Darkness
Since the release of their debut effort, “Bulletproof,” Dutch alternative metal outfit DEAR MOTHER have been releasing a handful of singles here and there, which are now combined in an EP, “Necessary Darkness,” released on April 19th, 2024.
Ankor – Shoganai
Alternative metal outfit ANKOR have been releasing singles for a few years, which they have now bundled into the conceptual mini-album “Shoganai.”
Karmanjakah – Ancient Skills
A 4-track EP from the Swedish progressive metal outfit, KARMANJAKAH, released on May 12th, 2024, which shows the band’s natural progression of their album, “A Book About Itself.”
Bird Problems – Fight or Flight
The latest EP, from your favorite ornithological progressive metal band, BIRD PROBLEMS, is named “Fight or Flight”; embrace this quirky 4-track collection of songs.
Hannes Grossman – Echoes of Eternity
Hannes Grossman‘s EP, “Echoes of Eternity,” was created to pay tribute to artists with whom Hannes Grossmann has played as a drummer and who shaped his career in an important way.
Alluvial – Death is But a Door
Atlanta-based band ALLUVIAL released a new EP, “Death is but a Door,” where they further embrace the grim and gloom the world has to offer through sludge and polyrhythms.
Kiuas – Samooja: Pyhiinvaellus
After their return to the stages during the pandemic, Finnish metal act KIUAS also released some new songs combined in the EP, “Samooja – Pyhiinvaellus.”
Before the Dawn – Archaic Flame
Finnish melodeath outfit BEFORE THE DAWN released a new EP, “Archaic Flame.” The EP has a total of 4 songs and a run-time of nearly 15 minutes.
Richard Henshall – Mu Vol. 1
HAKEN guitarist Richard Henshall released a brand new EP, “Mu Vol.1,” on June 7th, 2024. The 4-track EP is the first in a trilogy of planned EPs.
Wanheda – Dusty Trails
with “Desert of Real,” WANHEDA has crafted the sonic narrative of their new album with long, slow-burning strokes. In terms of post-rock, their style is still rather faithful to the classic sound of bands such as MONO, GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR, and what-have-you. (JL)
Written by Laureline Tilkin
