Rank And Style: Top 5 EPs/Demos of 2022

2022 was one of the rare years where my purchases almost exclusively fell towards new full-length releases. Usually, there's a fairly even split, or at least a third of them come in the small format of demo or EP. This year, however, it wasn't nearly as hard to narrow it down to five as it was to narrow the full-lengths down to twenty. So what struck my interest in the form of shorties this year?

5. Malignant - Reign Of Decrepitude - 7.5/10

Malignant are an American death metal outfit that actually have two short releases to their name, 2018's Purity Through Putrefaction and this year's Reign Of Decrepitude. The two are now out in the form of a compilation, which I recommend picking up. Focusing on the latter, it's a very straightforward death metal attack that gives us two new tracks, as well as a banging cover of one of my favorite Cannibal Corpse tunes. Nothing overly innovative here, but this band shows some serious potential. Also, is that artwork not beautiful? Listen Here

4. Emaciated - Crucified From The Inside - 8/10

Emaciated didn't hit my radar until nearly the end of the year, another U.S. death metal outfit cracking my list at the last minute. This demo titled Crucified From The Inside is their very first release in any form beyond that of a single, and despite how disgusting and primitive it looks, things actually feel somewhat smooth. Burning hot guitars that know how to stay in their lane ride alongside clicking drums, with a small hint of breakdowns making an appearance. Again, nothing overly innovative, but also shows some serious potential. Listen Here

3. Dodskvad - Kronike II - 8/10

(disclaimer: please excuse the improper Norwegian character use, Blogger would not cooperate)

Getting more into the niche stuff, Norway's Dodskvad have followed up their debut 3-song EP Kronike I with four more tracks in Kronike II (translates to chronicle II). This is a style of death metal a little more towards the fantastical-meets-ancient history ground, and the second offering shows signs of being firm and sure of what they want. These unlovable tunes display a heavier helping of doom takes, alongside howling vocal releases and solos that still breathe a dense atmosphere. The percussion jumps through to a sharper degree than ever, and the tightness of this release makes me very eager for a full length. Everything is in Norwegian, and this also comes in a compilation form of both EPs, acting as a full-length. Listen Here

2. Scumslaught - Knives & Amphetamines - 9/10

Caligari Records really knocked it out of the park with the short releases this year. Scumslaught are a thrash act with crossover/punk leanings and blackened toppings from France. Their EP Knives & Amphetamines is as piercing and abrasive as it sounds. Channeling early Toxic Holocaust, this unforgiving act aims to attack the textural senses with extreme discomfort, dealing in harsh riffs to supplement painful and disgusting suffering. Crunchy aesthetic and mean vocal delivery manages to stay concise enough to take in this short blast to the face, coating itself in youthful rage and violent attitude. Definitely one of the most abrasive releases this year. They truly land what they were aiming for. Listen Here

1. Worm - Bluenothing - 9.5/10

Considering how much Worm blew me away last year with Foreverglade, it should be no surprise that the U.S. black/doom/death masterminds took such high praise from me with their EP Bluenothing. I didn't think the band would be able to measure up to their third full-length, but I'll be damned if this doesn't touch the same height. Really, it's a similar vibe with cooler colors and an atmosphere less dense. The black metal aesthetic is very pronounced, without ditching the cleaner wails and crushing foundation. But the amount of keys and higher leads contrast this all enough to give it an identity that isn't reflective to last year's masterpiece in an obvious way. Four songs scratch every itch, continuing the use of suspense and drawn out shrieks. Working in new tactics with what made them so great in the first place is the name of the game. If you want to match something you did so well before without it sounding like a repeat, this is truly the way to go. Listen Here