Welcome back to The Elite Extremophile’s Best of 2025 week. Here, I am highlighting the top EPs from last year.
This list in particular has always been a somewhat squishy column. My general rule of thumb on separating EPs from LPs is if it’s over or under 30 minutes. However, there are occasional exceptions. This year I have chosen seven EPs to highlight. There were more great EPs that got released, but if I didn’t cut the list at seven, I was probably going to wind up with a dozen; and my plate was full enough as it was.
#7: Vitiligoes – Rapakivi| Math rock, RIO | Bandcamp
Normally, I’m not a fan of microtonal music. It just hits my ear wrong. But Vitiligoes manages to use it in an effective way, which I find palatable. Angular and jittery riffs abound, and the odd chords swirl about in often-hypnotic ways. Songs are both biting and dreamy. Contrasts are a strong suit for this band, and that strength is on proud display across this EP.
#6: Mind Beams – Ashes| Math rock | Bandcamp
Though none of the songs on Ashes even top four minutes, there are a staggering number of musical ideas presented here. The band’s ability to tie together riffs in a neverending cavalcade of different time signatures is impressive, and the madcap vocals channel Peter Hammill’s delivery at his most demented. The raw energy and anger of punk runs throughout this EP, giving it fantastic grit.
#5: Happy Family – 4037| Progressive rock | Bandcamp
The four songs on 4037 see this legendary Japanese band continue to evolve their particular sound. The instrumentalism is dazzling and exciting, with songs ranging from wiry and jumpy with jazzy tones to heavier passages that bear some similarity to Elder. At four songs and 21 minutes, this EP is the perfect length for a musical snack.
#4: Sarmat – Upgrade| Progressive metal, Jazz-fusion | Bandcamp
When I first heard this EP, my initial thought was that this would likely be my top EP of the year. The fact that it’s in fourth really speaks to just how strong 2025’s crop of prog has been. It’s rare to hear such a thorough and natural fusion of jazz and metal as is presented here. I’m rather hesitant to use the term “jazz-metal,” but this is a rare instance where it’s warranted. Both tracks feature blazing, extreme metal seamlessly married with groovy, weird jazz.
#3: Cos Sylvan – Everybody’s Dog| Progressive rock | Bandcamp
Cos Sylvan’s latest release consists of three powerful, fuzzy slabs of psychedelic progressive rock. The riffs have sludge metal muscularity and the technical wizardry of classic prog. Dashes of post-punk and earworm hooks help to temper some of the heavier moments here. Just like on Rayless, Cos Sylvan has assembled three masterful, complex songs that leave the listener wanting more.
#2: Touchdown Jesus – It’s All Feast or Famine| Math rock, Experimental rock | Bandcamp
This EP is full of uneven, unsettled riffs that keep the listener on edge. Meters are askew, chords are strange and angular, and there’s an overriding sense of anxiety. But it all coalesces into a breathtaking and inventive collection of songs. The songwriting is off-the-wall and wildly creative, with melodic passages pairing beautifully opposite harsher moments.
#1: Rëlisp – Warthåk | Zeuhl | Bandcamp
Rëlisp’s second EP is a scouring, harsh slab of zeuhl. Drawing from various veins of punk, metal, and brutal prog, Warthåk sees the band further hone their sound. Saxophone and piano often take the lead, providing wonderful contrast to the heavily-distorted backing tracks. Everything culminates in a crushing, chaotic climax that seals this as easily the best zeuhl release of the year.
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