Listmania: Metal Noise Top #5 EPs of 2025!

You’ve heard about Santa having a list and checking it twice to see which children have been naughty or nice? Well this is our metaphorical equivalent. Listmania awards season is all about celebrating the spirit of the Underground Metal scene and so only records we’ve reviewed in the past twelve months qualify. Quantity isn’t an issue either because if you haven’t noticed, we’ve been dropping a review every single day! So without much further much ado about nothing with a couple of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and a hot cup of coffee for company lets get to the EPs!

“Open Wounds” by Tribe Of Ghosts

A four track affair that was waterfall released over the space of a couple of months “Open Wounds” was produced, recorded and mixed by their guitarist and vocalist Adam Sedgwick also of Noiseboy fame and mastered by Paul Winstanley (Grim Ravine, Haken, Novena). It finds the Brighton Industrial Post-Metal act embracing the power of their live performances,  conjuring something intoxicating that will either have you swaying like a marionette or running to the mosh pit. Each piece of the puzzle is something of a monster, stitching together Sludge Metal riffs, industrial electronica and lush pop inspired choruses so if you haven’t already had the pleasure stop reading now and go and check it out!

“Alvorecer” EP by Godeater

Mixed and mastered by Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman (In Flames, Obscura, Architects) the next chapter in the Godeater saga introduces new vocalist Jamie Harrison, a man known for his work in The Argent Dawn, Nexilva and Sleep Inertia to the masses in style. Both captivating and enthralling, as we said in the review, it has all the tension of a Stanley Kubrick classic with galloping drums and cinematic textures wrapped around Melodic Death Metal guitars providing rich, dark textures. A jaw dropping record of impeccable musicianship and incredible vision, after all the challenges that the band faced during the “Vespera” era this record is an incredible return.

“Journey to the Sun” EP by Vanitas

What can we say about Midlands Cinematic DJent pioneers Vanitas that we haven’t already? Having started their journey in Metal strongly with each subsequent release they are maturing like a fine wine, seemingly doing the impossible by out doing themselves. Their third EP “Journey to the Sun” is a fine example of that, a record filled with epic grandeur and spellbinding moments as well as sonic aggression as the band are once again aided and abetted by orchestral programming from Matthew Jones of Dakesis at CapsaArx Studios. At this point the band have become a well oiled machine working in perfect harmony and getting the best out of each other in the process. Don’t sleep on this, even if it means insomnia.

“Warren Of Necrosis” by Black Rabbit

It was actually tough to choose between the two EPs that Dutch Death Thrash masters Black Rabbit gave us in 2025 but the second coming of “Warren Of Necrosis” edged out  “Chronolysis” by the smallest of margins. For those not in the know, the record has the same title as the bands 2020 debut but is a completely different four track affair with fresh artwork that creates inception level madness. Low budget 80’s horror movie vibes and 90’s Death Metal inspired riffs are all here as the five piece return to the inception of the concept that drives the band revealing the sacrifice, betrayal, and blasphemous devotion that transformed man into the myth that is Black Rabbit.

“Abysmal Earth” by Exaust

How good is “Abysmal Earth” by Exaust? It’s so good we went back and reviewed its predecessor! A portrait painted in the darker side of Thrash mixed by Chris “Sandy” Sanderson of Grove Street at Studio 6 in Swindon and mastered by Grant Berry (Boston Manor, Ithaca, Static Dress) at Fader Mastering, it has classic late 80’s and early 90’s Hardcore influences at its black beating heart. Urgent and aggressive it’s exactly what the genre should be about with a raw guitar tone, bombastic bass lines and all the pummeling percussion you could possibly want.

The EP category is the most hotly contested one this year so our honourable mentions could be a list longer than your forearm. Rather than give you a massive long list to send you to sleep however, here are five that we’ve kept spinning after the reviews:

“Roadkill Rodeo” by Gloomweaver
“Decrepit Nature” by HollowKin
“What Once Was” by Fimbul Winter
“Celestial Procession” by Void Revenant
“Omnivory” by Culak