Black Metal's Best EPs / Splits of 2021 According to Cheryl
One of the best parts of the modern musical consumption age is the ability to listen to any kind of music, at any time of day, almost anywhere you want. Bandcamp aids in this by allowing discovery of the incredible amounts of music on its platform through curated columns, highlighted artists and being able to browse the collections of other fans. Below are ten of the best EPs or splits released in 2021 (according to me), discovered through ambling through tags, collections and the wonder of the internet hype machine.
Bat Magic - Feast of Blood
Bat Magic sound exactly how you think they do based on the title of the debut EP, Feast of Blood. This is fun, rollicking black metal that is slightly tongue-in-cheek and executed with faith and charm.
Listen and purchase here.
- Cheryl
Celestial Sword / Adrasteia - Split MMXXI
The first of several Celestial Sword appearances on this list, this split with Adrasteia features not only gorgeous artwork but ice-swept landscapes of black metal and dungeon synth that combine to create a freezing atmosphere that feels as real as the frost outside your window.
Listen and purchase here.
Celestial Sword / Trhä - edënohhdlha hálgra tu majtranlh'ha / ga nëcëcta mon idlhi
Celestial Sword feature here again, alongside unknown entity Trhä. Both bands take on the song naming tradition that Trhä have originated while the latter band takes on some elements of Celestial Sword's sound to create a split that feels more like a collaborative effort than most.
Listen and purchase here.
dai-ichi / Lamp Of Murmuur - Virgin Womb of Eternal Black Terror
dai-ichi and Lamp Of Murmuur came together earlier in the year to release Virgin Womb of Eternal Black Terror, a split which allows each project to tease out melody through furious guitar and distorted vocals. dai-ichi are anonymous to the point of not disclosing their location and seemingly have no new music on the horizon while Lamp Of Murmuur's M has become the burning flame of the underground with the release of the incredible Submission and Slavery album in October this year.
Listen and purchase here.
Erzfeynd / Celestial Sword - Split
Erzfeynd (from Germany) and Celestial Sword bond over the darkest dungeons and the horrors that lie in their shadows on this split which encompasses black metal and worship of that terror. Synths and guitars fight for dominance while vocals are dredged from hell in shrieks and screams.
Listen and purchase here.
Grandeur - Aurea Aetas
Grandeur's Erech Leleth released no less than 6 works of music in 2021 alone, with more on the horizon from the Carathis project and potentially others that Leleth has yet to announce. Grandeur's Aurea Aetas is one of those 6 aforementioned releases and is one of the most thrilling and uplifting black metal EPs of the year.
Listen and purchase here.
Mesarthim - Vacuum Solution
Mesarthim are from Australia and prefer to remain anonymous, allowing their cosmic themed black metal to express their wishes to reach for the stars. Mesarthim's music leans into pop sensibilities and uses engaging hooks and synth lines to create some of the catchiest black metal you'll ever hear.
Listen and purchase here.
Natürgeist - Reinvigorated Terror
The cover of Reinvigorated Terror is a bold statement in itself and it's lucky for Natürgeist that the music is, too. Hailing from Denver and playing in Blood Incantation and Spectral Voice, among others, Natürgeist are dealing in chaos in its purest form and harnessing black metal to channel energies both seen and obscure.
Listen and purchase here.
Old Nick - Crisp Winter Dawn of My Night Moon
Old Nick are another band whose output over the last year has been insane, however, they are consistently good and deal in raw black metal that prefers to stay in the realm of bouncy synths and catchy hooks. Old Nick's skills have vastly improved in the time since they first set the underground ablaze and Crisp Winter Dawn of My Night Moon demonstrates they still have all the charm despite the prodution quality improving over the last 12 months.
Listen and purchase here.
Trhä - inagape
Trhä released one of the best full-lengths of the year in Endlhëtonëg and inagape (a surprise Christmas Eve release) pushes the band further into the extremities of black metal, rather than staying in the warmth of the candlelight of their last album. Inagape feels rawer, in a sense, for its aggressive pitches and echoing spoken word sections yet the nostalgic slant that Trhä lace their music with is ever present.
Listen and purchase here.
