End of a Year 2021: EPs

Full lengths get most of the attention, but EPs are where you gotta look if you wanna find a cool band before anyone else. That way when they put out a really good LP you can smugly say "have you heard their demo? It's actually way rawer and more energetic. "

Anyways, here's my favourite EPs from 2021.

Militarie Gun

5. Friction - Conditioned to Chaos (Homie Shit Mag)

Hardcore is entering a post-post- Trapped Under Ice period, where heavy mosh is, frankly, becoming passe. How does a talented young band in that lane adjust? Friction does it by writing good songs, taking chances, and turning their nose at trends. Good music never goes out of style.

Listen to "Take It or Leave It"

4. Militarie Gun - All Roads Lead to the Gun (Convulse)

I think this is the first year I haven't had a Self Defense Family record somewhere on my list. I actually don't think Self Defense Family released a record this year! This EP is a more than suitable replacement, though. Occasional SDF contributor Ian Shelton does his own brand of DC-influenced post-hardcore. It's angular and oddly tuneful. This might get stuck in your head in the same way you would develop a crush on an abrasive nerd.

Listen to "Don't Pick Up the Phone"

3. Drake - Scary Hours 2 (OVO)

Drake has a knack for delivering on loosies, one-offs and short projects. He would probably only release three-song slappers if he was focused on his artistic legacy over his bank account. SH2 is everything you want and need from a Drake drop. A requisite radio anthem, a high energy club banger, and a chorus-less flex fest featuring Rick Ross. Drake's most recent full lengths have been bloated and boring, but he still captures magic in small bursts.

Listen to "Wants and Needs"

Age of Apocalyse

2. Electric Chair - Social Capital (Iron Lung)

Electric Chair are one of the unsung flag-bearers in the new direction of mainstream hardcore. They're basically one step ahead of the Gels, Spys and Scowls of the world, making early 80's informed punk hardcore with a speed, catchiness and snarl few can replicate. The aesthetic is completely dialed in too -- from the jangly tones and blown out production to the high-contrast, two tone cover art. Electric Chair is cool without trying. They'd probably be doing this whether or not we paid attention. 

Listen to "Pledge of Allegiance"

1. Pain of Truth/Age of Apocalypse - Split (Daze)

On the other side of the coin from Electric Chair are two newer bands proving you can make timeless heavy hardcore. This split is like watching two heavyweights from the Northeast US beat the shit out of each other for four rounds. Pain of Truth descends from the Hatebreed lineage, offering up two tracks that would fit right in on Satisfaction is the Death of Desire. Age of Apocalypse blend the rich but insular history of the Hudson Valley with some Life of Agony-adjacent stylings to create a primordial monster emerging from the muck like an Uruk-Hai in the pits of Isengard. Both of these bands have earth-shattering potential and this split could be one for the history books.

Listen to "Blood on Your Hands"

Honorable Mention:

Gel - Violent Closure, Gulch/Sunami - Split, Antro - Demo, Imploders - Imploders, Never Ending Game - Halo and Wings.