Best Europunk EPs and splits
Every year I listen to many quality releases and I only have room for 25 full lengths in my yearlist. So every year I am looking for ways to secretly expand my list. Combine that with a heapload of great EP's and split records that are released every year and you can see why I wanted to also pay attention to these releases. Most of these releases went without proper review on this site, which saddens me. Let's see if I can do better next year. For now, let's focus on introducing you to a couple more gems.
1
Grisaille - Entre Deux Averses
Symphony Of Destruction
This EP is the debut for Grisaille. Yet, this band is home to a lot of experience, as it is founded by Jacky and Fab, founders of Syndrome 81 and Mentalité 81. This release is characterized by a slighly different sound and great introspective lyrics. As I said in our song of the day feature: It appears to me the French OI! scene is not afraid to experiment a bit with different sounds and the crystal clear guitar sound Grisaille chose for this EP is slightly different from what you might expect, but just perfect. It creates the perfect atmosphere for these introspective lyrics.
I really do hope we will hear more from this project!
2
Litovsk, Hinin - Split
Bad Health Records, Dans le Vide, Donnez Moi Du Feu, Going Postal Records, Hidden Bay, Medication Time, Senseless Acts Of Anger
I got this EP because I dig Litovsk and got introduced to another great band: Hinin. Both play kind post-punk inspired oi!. Both offer one new song and a cover. As I said in my review of this EP: I figure it is a brilliant introduction to two hard working good sounding post-punk bands and an encouragement to dig deep in your music collection (or steaming service of choice) to enjoy the originals of the two excellent covers.
In addition I would also like to encourage you to delve into the discographies of both bands. Trust me, you won't regret it!
3
Blessure - Blessure
Polze de la Mort, Dirty Slap Records.
Blessure is a band that caught my attention with last years single. This year I was happy to see the release of their self-titled EP. I can't help to think that a self-titled release is sort of a statement of intent. Something along the lines of: "This is us, this is what we stand for". I hope that is the case for Blessure, as I really dig what they have going on. As I said at my kitchen table: The recipe is the same so you can still expect oi! that is based on the French scene from the ‘80s. The end result is a very catchy EP. It is powerful and melodic.
4
Crime Scene - Dark Tidings
RealityRecords
What happens when a songwriter of a cross-over band (like PC from Toxic Shock for example) would write slightly more thrash oriented stuff and ask a well known punk singer (like Jerry A of Poison Idea for example) to sing those tunes? This is not a hypothetical question, this is exactly what happened and it is every bit as good as it sounds. A bit more thrash than Toxic Shock, but pulled back into the hardcore realm by that oh so familiar voice of Jerry A. To me, this band (or project? I don't know) came out of the blue, but their promise that this is only the beginning sparks joy.
5
Eyeteeth - State Funeral
Atomic Breath Records
I mostly associate straight edge with youth crew. Most bands claiming the edge that are in my collection are part of that scene. I am well aware that there are countless other scenes that home some talent, but they generally do not speak to me like the youth crew bands. And then there´s Eyeteeth. "You like straight edge music, you might like this" I was told. I was blown out of my chair when I put this on, as this is nowhere near the youth crew I expected. I mean, the bandname should have been a hint, the Bandcamp tags another, but I was oblivious to those hints. Eyeteeth play a blend of grindcore, powerviolence and hardcore. It grabs you by the throat and won't let go until they're done. With six songs with a maximum duration of 35 seconds Eyeteeth is not overstaying their welcome, but they stay long enough to leave a lasting impression. The band is also very productive with no less than three releases this year.
6
STiCKFiGS - Former Glory
White Russian Records
White Russian Records is a label with a keen eye for Dutch punk talent. With a roster that includes bands like Third Ego or Call It Off they clearly show they know what they are doing. This debut EP by STiCKFiGS is a testament to that talent. This band looked at the punk rock landscape and set up camp in the pop punk corner of the map. There is a certain seriousness to be found in their sound, while at the same time it is just pure fun. A very nice EP that makes me look forward to their next release.
7
The Mocks - Do Me Good / Sticks and Stones
Wap Shoo Wap Records
This year I discovered Wap Shoo Wap Records and as a part of that discovery, I also discovered The Mocks. Their sound is very retro; retro done well I would like to add. As I said at my kitchen table: Do Me Good/Sticks And Stones can be described as The Kinks or The Who with a punk vibe. The sound is extremely ‘60s. Everything sounds old school. While a lot of bands who strive for this sound forget the drum-sound, The Mocks worked hard to get this right too.
8
Ultha, Karloff - Split
Vendetta Records
If you know these bands you might think: "wasn't this a euroPUNK list?". No worries, both bands are still doing what they do best (playing black metal and metal with some punk influences respectively). I do feel they belong on this list as they both cover a song from Samhain. I like that band, although I always feel their music would benefit from a thicker production. And guess what: this split is expertly produced. It is a great split that offers good fun. The biggest downside is it leaves me wanting more!
9
The Crimson Ghosts, Hellgreaser - Greensleeves
Sunny Bastards Records, Soulfood
I am still not sure how this flew under my radar, but thanks to the interview I did with Jackal of The Crimson Ghosts this lovely split caught my attention. Not long after the vinyl fell on doormat. I like it when bands go the extra mile on their releases and recording a song together on a split does feel like putting in that extra effort. Greensleeves is a brilliant collaboration. Next to that we are offered four songs where the two bands cover songs from each other. I am happy to see Hellgreaser picked "Nightbreed", one of my favorite tunes of The Crimson Ghosts.
10
Terminal - Θύμα Προπαγάνδας
Terminal Records
This Greek band is a late discovery. It is a one man band, something we don't see a lot in punk and hardcore. Everything is recorded with the help of friends. It is a four song tornado of anarcho punk, d-beat and hardcore. Represented here are four of the fourteen tracks recorded for a debut. I am not 100% sure if the band can capture my attention for ten songs, that release would need a bit more diversity. An EP is the perfect length for something as hardhitting as this.
- Dennis
