(Our old friend from the Dominican Republic Vonlughlio once again brings us his list of the year’s best releases. This year it’s divided into three parts, beginning with this list of favorite EPs, demos, and compilations. We’ll have the Best Album lists coming over the next two days.)
Top 30 EPs
30) Fecundation – “Congenital Deformity”
https://pathologicallyexplicit.bandcamp.com/album/fecundation-congenital-deformity-mcd
29) Construct of Lethe – “The Grand Machination”
Killer death metal band from United States that my good friend Tito recommended, and glad he did. Ended up enjoying this EP more than their full-length (which I liked).
https://constructoflethe.bandcamp.com/album/the-grand-machination
28) Osmosis – “Deciduous Altars of Obscure Liturgy”
This band from the Basque Country was recommended by my friend Fran and it’s a great mixture of Death/Black with grindcore elements. Fast and right to the point. Vocals are vicious and go along hand-in-hand with the music.
https://osmosis666.bandcamp.com
27) The Malice – “Malevolent Creature of Kings”
Great Death Metal from Germany/Sweden. When you see their lyrical themes and hear them, you might go and think Nile, but I think they sound different and hope they make a full-length soon.
https://themalicelegions.bandcamp.com/album/malevolent-creature-of-kings
26) Cranial Engorgement – “Prelude to Horror”
This EP I found just looking around Bandcamp and was impressed with what I heard. Great vocals with killer music. Can’t wait for their full-length next year.
https://gorehouseproductions.bandcamp.com/album/prelude-to-horror
25) Stench Price – “Stench Price”
A grind group with musicians from Paganizer, Brutal Truth, Hail of Bullets, and Benighted. Great release — enjoyed each song on this EP. Hope they continue with this project.
https://stenchpricegrind.bandcamp.com/album/stench-price-grind-supergroup
24) Implied – “Life to Die”
Brutal Death Metal from Indonesia that I found out about thanks to Sick Reviews. Great songs structured with punishing blast-beasts and killer riffs. Vocals are on point as well.
https://waarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/life-to-die
23) Shrine of Insananilis – “Tombs Opened by Fervent Tongues”
Discovered this band last year after I did my year-end list of 2015. Their debut album is spectacular and this EP just shows what talented musicians they are, with great things ahead.
https://wtcproductions.bandcamp.com/album/tombs-opened-by-fervent-tongues
22) Cadaveric Fumes – “Dimensions Obscure”
Great Death Metal from France that I discovered looking for new bands. Great music overall and with a production that I believe goes rather well with how the songs are structured.
https://cadavericfumes.bandcamp.com/album/dimensions-obscure
21) Mephistopheles – “In Reverence of Forever”
This band has a special place in my heart. Mr. Chalky, as always, brings a great performance, and the rest of the guys bring their A game to this release. I hope next year they release new music.
https://willowtip.bandcamp.com/album/in-reverence-of-forever
20) Paganizer – “On the Outskirts of Hades”
This year they released two EPs and I just had the chance to listen to this one. Talented musicians who always release music I have enjoyed through the years, and this one is no exception.
https://paganizer.bandcamp.com/album/on-the-outskirts-of-hades-death-metal
19) Gruesome – “Dimensions of Horror”
A band who last year released their debut album, Savage Land, now with this EP they continue to bring us great Death metal. Sure, some called them a “Death worship band”, but I believe they are beyond that.
https://gruesomedeathmetal.bandcamp.com/album/dimensions-of-horror
18) Cult of Fire – “Life, Sex & Death”
I had heard nothing but good things about this band and decided to finally listen this year, and no regrets. I like how each release sounds different and how the vocals and music interact, if that makes sense.
17) Grave Miasma – “Endless Pilgrimage”
Such a great band that in 2013 blew me away with their debut album Odori Sepulcrorum. I enjoyed this EP and hope they released a follow-up to their debut soon.
https://gravemiasma.bandcamp.com/album/endless-pilgrimage
16) God Disease – “Rebirth of Horror”
I enjoyed their 2014 EP Abyss Cathedral a lot. So when my friend Tito told me they released a new EP, I knew I needed to check it out. Glad I did since it’s a great progression, and I hope they release their debut album soon.
https://goddiseasofficial.bandcamp.com/album/rebirth-of-horror
15) Dominhate – “Emissaries of Morning”
A band I discovered this year, and I have to say that this EP is way better than their 2014 debut album Towards the Light. Can’t wait to see what this band does next.
https://lavadome.bandcamp.com/album/emissaries-of-morning
14) Vircolac – “The Cursed Travails of Demeter”
Killer death metal from Ireland. I just love how the songs are structured, the overall production, and the vocals — and I enjoyed the lyrics as well.
https://vircolac.bandcamp.com/album/the-cursed-travails-of-the-demeter
13) Diabolical – “Umbra”
A band I discovered back in 2014 and think they are quite talented. This EP is great, and I look forward to hearing more music from them in 2017.
http://vicisolumrecords.com/album/umbra
12) Odiusembowel – “Mephitic Sermon”
A non-stop, fast-paced EP from start to finish, with great vocals and tight music. I hope this band gets signed soon and releases a debut album.
https://odiusembowelgrind.bandcamp.com/album/mephitic-sermon
11) Gaerea – “Gaerea”
A Black Metal band that I was introduced to by my friend Tito. This is a solid EP with great music. I like how each song seems as a continuation from the one before.
https://everlastingspewrecords.bandcamp.com/album/gaerea
10) Bleeding Murder – “Cadaver from Infection Massacre”
One killer band from Indonesia that I discovered thanks to Sick Reviews, and I have to say that this EP is the best of the best in the BDM genre.
9) Hellish God – “Impure Spiritual Forces”
This killer Death Metal band comes from Italy, with a spectacular EP that includes great riffs and vocals — Tya (Antropofagus, Mindful of Pripyat) does a great job. Good to see him in projects of other genres.
https://hellishgod.bandcamp.com/releases
8) Murder Worship – “Misleaders of Humanity”
This is one of my favorite BDM EPs of 2016. I found out about this Colombian band thanks to Sick Reviews‘ praise of their 2013 EP Macabre & Sick Arts., and so I decided to check them out by getting this EP — and now it’s one of my favorites.
7) Sepulchral Curse – “At the Onset of Extinction”
This was a great surprise for me. I wasn’t aware of this band, and thanks to NCS posting about a premiere song from this EP, right there I knew I needed to get it. So I did — and for me it’s a great mix of Death/Black and the vocals are just the best!!!
https://sepulchralcurse.bandcamp.com/releases
6) Qrixkuor – “Three Devils Dance”
This Death Metal band was introduced by my friend Jesse through one of the songs from this EP. I was impressed with the overall structure of the song and the vocals. So I got the EP, and it has been in constant rotation.
https://qrixkuordeath.bandcamp.com/album/three-devils-dance
5) Harsh – “Underlaying”
A great BDM band from the Basque Country released this spectacular EP. Amazing vocals and tight musicianship that make a great mix. I have high hopes for this band.
https://pathologicallyexplicit.bandcamp.com/album/harsh-underlaying
4) Involuntary Convulsion – “Tempus Edax Rerums”
A great band from Australia that has a killer mix of Brutal and Technical. Its constant changes within the songs, great riffs, and vocals that go along with the music, make this a great release.
https://involuntaryconvulsion.bandcamp.com/album/tempus-edax-rerums
3) Teitanblood – “Accursed Skin”
One of my favorite Death/Black bands just released a killer EP that I’ve just been listening to non-stop. The only disappointment is that it was not a full-length. But this will do until they decide to release the follow-up to their 2014 Death album.
https://teitanblood.bandcamp.com/album/accursed-skin
2) Gorguts – “Pleiades’ Dust”
This band has never disappointed me. Some didn’t like when they changed (sort of) with Obscura. But for me that album is and will forever be my favorite from Gorguts. This EP is just great musicianship from start to finish. There is a story behind the lyrics, and the way they are written is well done.
https://gorguts.bandcamp.com/album/pleiades-dust
1) Dead Congregation – “Sombre Doom”
One of my favorite Death Metal bands released a crushing EP that just leaves you wanting more. When it was released, I lost count of the times I listened to it. It’s still in regular play, I hope this band continues to release such great music.
https://deadcongregation.bandcamp.com/album/sombre-doom
In continuation, here now are my top 4 demos of 2016:
1) Putrescent Seepage (Australia)
https://putrescentseepage.bandcamp.com/album/demo-2016
2) Sewage (Italy)
https://gruesomegraphx.bandcamp.com/album/sewage-demo-2014-2
3) Dead and Dripping (United States)
https://deadanddripping.bandcamp.com/album/disillusioned-by-excessive-human-consumption
4) Misanthropic Dysphoria (United States)
https://soundcloud.com/misanthropic_dysphoria/sets
This is a great band with potential.
And here my top 3 compilations of 2016:
1) Sick Reviews – “Compiled Corpses”
A compilation of BDM bands with unreleased and raw songs. If you like BDM, this is one you should get.
2) Embryopathia – “Blastology 2011-2015”
A grindgore band that I discovered from Sick Reviews. If you like this genre I suggest you check out this band if you haven’t already.
https://brutalmind.bandcamp.com/album/blastology-2011-2015
3) Infestdead – “Satanic Serenades”
One band that I wish had never broken up. Great musicianship and amazing vocals.
13 Responses to “LISTMANIA 2016: VONLUGHLIO’S LIST OF TOP EPS, DEMOS, AND COMPILATIONS”
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FVCK YEAH STENCH PRICE
Really enjoyed that ep 🙂
Awesome stuff, Dead Congregation, Grave Miasma, and Gorguts were all huge for me this year. I basically agree about Gorguts, although I finally started really enjoying “Considered Dead” recently. I’d rather call “Pleiades’ Dust” a short album than an EP, it’s certainly eventful enough, but I’m happy to see it regardless. “Odori Sepulcrorum” blew me away as well, and GM has been a favorite of mine ever since.
This Osmosis stuff is great, liked Mephistopheles so far as well, lots to listen to here.
Glad you liked osmosis and mephistopheles. Considered dead is classic DM albums for sure. Hope you like the rest of the bands.
I still have so many of these to get to. Need more time (or… space?).
Though this one is still my favourite EP of 2016:
https://karnon.bandcamp.com/album/le-temps-sombre
I will check this ep.
I was late to the Diabolical train myself. 2013’s Neogenesis was an eye-opener, but the Umbra EP unfortunately slipped away like sand between my fingers.
I know this feeling rather well, there are so many ep’s I have missed out but what can you do 🙁
True. Sometimes one has to let go before the obsession grows over one’s head.
Yes I agree with you. One definetly has to let go
Been looking forward to your lists the most! It’s about time haha
Well thank you and hope you see something you like or new
Thank you 🙂 hope you like what you hear