Top EP's of 2013
15.
Color Me Valiant
SinnerServantSon
melodic hardcore
This spot could have gone either way with CMV, Papertowns, or Guide. Ultimately gave in to CMV for the fact that this EP is perfectly mixed with hardcore and REALLY good catchy worship.
14.
Hotel Books
I'm Almost Happy Here
spoken word/ambient rock
This is probably my most unbiased pick, because I am not a huge fan of spoken word or of this band in general. But this album went way above my expectations. The instrumentation is beautiful, and the lyrics are just as touching, and together HB put together their best three songs for I'm Almost Happy Here.
13.
Faithful Unto Death
Epistemology
progressive hardcore/djent
Super solid from start to finish. It took a while for it to grow on me, but with each listen I gathered something else that I really enjoyed. FUD mixes a lot into this record (bounce, grooves, atmosphere, and more) and it results in a really good progressive hardcore record.
12.
Eons Before Us
Pillars of Creation
progressive metalcore/djent
Literally an unknown band until a couple weeks ago. This record has a sound that matches the secular djent scene that the Christian scene desperately needs. It is super groovy, heavy, and full of true, honest passion.
11.
HaShem
New Life
death metal
Another new bloomer into the Christian metal world. HaShem brings us 3 really fresh songs. Good death metal with good production is hard to come by, so these guys really broke the mold. If this EP was any longer it definitely would have a higher spot.
10.
Take The Name
Against Such Things
melodic hardcore
Another melodic hardcore band that perfectly fuses hardcore with worship. More melodies and harmonies than the earlier mentioned Color Me Valiant, but of the same breed. Against Such Things is not groundbreaking, but is a fun enjoyable listen that seems to rise above the rest of the melodic hardcore pack.
9.
Oh, Sleeper
Titan
technical metalcore
Never could get into this band much. But that could not sway my decision on putting Titan in the top ten EP's of the year. This release is really good, although it was not received as well as their others, it is clearly my favorite from them.
8.
Beartooth
Sick
hardcore
Loud, hectic, and passionate. Caleb Shomo has taken his direction away from Attack Attack! and all attached strings and builds something totally his own. Best of all, it has taken a passionate turn, screaming about his struggles, faith, and relationship with God.
Oh, and the music is killer too!
7.
~k~
(reverse k)
III
industrial/instrumental
This is an absolute masterpiece. Only with Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts, will you find anything else like this solo project.. This most likely will get the pass over on this list, because he is neither known, or hardcore/metal. Give this a listen, and I promise you, that you will identitfy his talent as unique. And if this does not move you in any form, I would argue that you need to broaden your music horizons. The only reason this is not higher is because it is an extremely long (avg. 23 mins for 3 songs), and the mixing could have been slightly better. Other than that, I highly recommend this.
6.
Convictions
Unworthy
post-hardcore/modern metalcore
My favorite post-hardcore release of the year, Christian or not. This EP is that good. Good post-hardcore is difficult to come by in todays world. It is usually overly generic and extremely annoying. But Convictions does it all the right way.
5.
Maranatha
Spiritless
sludge/hardcore
Heavy. raw, and full of angry emotion. Maranatha brings the sludge and heavy to us in a superb release. Lyrically this is not the typical angst teen with girlfriend issues and cries for God to fix their heart. No, Maranatha brings us raw emotion with big boy problems, world issues, and real true feelings about them. Few albums were better this year. Hint, the spot.
4.
Adelaide
Slugtrail
deathcore/death metal
It has been a really long time since we last heard new music from Adelaide. This year they did not disappoint. Bringing us fast heavy deathcore that is not heavy on the chug chug side. This release has a sound that Christian metal is dying to have. And with this amazing release, Adelaide leaves us on hiatus, and another loooong wait for music. Gaaaaaaah
3.
Phinehas
The Bridge Between
metalcore and acoustic
Phinehas released this little treat almost a year ago in January. It is mixed with B-Sides from the Godmachine, which proves how good that album was that these did not make the cut, and acoustic tracks of their previously released stuff. There is new music on this as well, which puts them in contention for this. Needless to say, none of these songs were heard before, and it near flawlessly takes the number 3 spot. The acoustic tracks brought this down...by like a half of a point.
2.
This Divided World
The Missing Pages
deathcore
If you take Impending Doom's name out of the question, and you asked me the heaviest Christian band, I'd no doubtingly give you This Divided World. It is full of every deathcore element, and decorated with lyrical content that revolves around Christ. And like DOOM, they do not paint a pretty picture with it. It is brutal and it touches on several subjects, including the darkness and destruction of porn. A subject not even secular bands touch on. Now that is Metal.
1.
I Prayed For An Afterlife
The Truth Inside
progressive metalcore
No matter how I try to explain, agreement of this being the top EP of the year will be pretty scarce. The fact is, no other Christian band has a sound like they do, and if there is one out there, they do not do it as good as IPFAA. This album truly is perfect, and deserves all credit for this spot. Incredible song structure, unique singing, heavy vocals, atmosphere, heavy breakdowns, shreds, the list goes on and on and on with what this album brings us. The future is uncertain for this band, as far as new music goes, so enjoy this as much as you can!
This year was a pretty good year for Christian music. I feel the scene took a huge step. It used to be flooded with overly generic hardcore and metalcore with not much reach into the secular world. There is only up from here. I thank not only these bands but every band that is helping us all grow, and giving a hand out to the world that desperately needs it.
Honorable Mentions
Abated Mass of Flesh- The Anatomy of Impurity, All Became New- At Home In The gutter, Between Two Thieves - Jawbone Hill, Come and Rest - Royal Blood, Endure- Solid Ground, For Today- Prevailer, Great Counselor- Even The Devil Dreams of Heaven, Guide- Letters to the People, In Honor- Foundations, Meadows- Of Miles & Mountains, A New Reign- Restoration, Oh, Redeemer- Disasters, Papertowns- Passion/Aggression, A Prophet's Exile - Onslaught I, Righteous Vendetta- Vol. I, The Saving- Reign of Terror, Seeds Of Hope- Restoration, Set Free- Think This Through DEMO, Shook Like Dead Men- The Five Solas, Silence The Ocean- Changes, Startled By Silence- As Blood Shows Love, Stick Tight- 1920, Truly, Truly- Beauty & Youth, The Undeniable Truth- Born Broken, Your Past, My Present- Trials & Tribulations
(Honorable Mentions were releases that could have been considered for any of the last few spots in the top EP list)
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