Music journalists tend to spend a lot of time discussing their favorite albums, so we decided to change things up and create a list of the best black metal EPs instead. Mayhem’s Deathcrush (1987) clearly stands as one of the most important efforts in the movement, though its style bleeds across genres. The first part of the ’90s gave birth to an abundance of historic extreme metal EPs, such as Enslaved’s Hordanes Land (1992), Emperor’s Emperor (1993), Immortal’s precursor to their debut album, and Gehenna’s First Spell (1994).
We have the utmost love and respect for Ved Buens Ende’s Those Who Caress the Pale, which was originally released as a demo in 1994 and later issued as an EP in 1997. However, we feel that the demo label is more honest in this case. Several EPs of the new millennium that we would like to emphatically recommend before diving into our main list include Demonrape (2005) and Death Is Complete (2011) by Urgehal, The Alien (2010) and Valium Holocaust (2010) by Angst Skvadron, and Blasphemy (2006) by Vulture Lord. I have to personally admit that Sarkom’s Seen Through the Eyes of a Paedophile Priest (2016), which features an Urgehal cover, is a guilty pleasure of mine.
Please enjoy the 10 sensational opuses that follow. Most of our incredibly gloomy picks just happen to serve as the ideal antidotes to happiness. Numbered in no particular order.
10) Mayhem’s Wolf’s Lair Abyss (1997)
The success of the exceptionally brutal Wolf’s Lair Abyss can mainly be attributed to Blasphemer’s brilliance as a composer. Blasphemer arguably remains the genre’s greatest guitarist. Mayhem’s famed skin-pounder Hellhammer is likewise regarded as a king of his craft. In addition, Maniac has distinguished himself as one of the black metal’s best frontmen and lyricists. His vocals are always cause for wonder. Mayhem’s co-founding bassist Necrobutcher completes the lineup on Wolf’s Lair Abyss. Ulver’s Kristoffer Rygg produced, mixed, and mastered the effort while Mayhem and Arcturus’ Knut Magne Valle also assisted with mixing.
Last year, we heard Blasphemer reinterpret Wolf’s Lair Abyss’ third track, “Fall of Seraphs,” on the debut album by his project RUÏM, Black Royal Spiritism — I — O Sino da Igreja, reminding us of the excellence of his Mayhem-era material.
09) Dødheimsgard’s Satanic Art (1998)
Dødheimsgard, which was co-founded by Vicotnik and now ex-member Aldrahn, is truly an unsurpassed force. In many senses, Vicotnik’s artistry seems to put all but a tiny number of other figures to shame. Like Blasphemer and the mainman behind our pick below, he is a composer whose merits cannot be properly praised. Satanic Art is enhanced by perfectly implemented violin, keys, and effects. The EP is beautifully arranged yet pleasantly chaotic, sophisticated yet savage. No sane individual will doubt that this avant-garde masterpiece feels centuries ahead of even our current time.
Satanic Art was followed by the album 666 International (1999), which was even more experimental. Fortunately, we have great news for fans of these two classics. Vicotnik explained to me last year that the idea behind his emerging project Doedsmaghird “… was… timeline-wise, that we made Satanic Art in 1997. And in 1999, 666 International came. So, the initial idea was: ‘What if there came an album in 1998? How would that sound?’ … ‘What would that potentially sound like?’”
08) ALL of Shining’s EPs
Shining’s EPs include their first release, Submit to Selfdestruction (1998); Fiende (2017); and Lots of Girls Gonna Get Hurt (2012). There are other titles that could be considered part of this list as well, such as the promo compilation Five Valid Reasons for Self-Inflicting Harm (2014) and the sampler Döden (2023). These triumphs are so intolerably brilliant that they awaken all of my murderous rage. The supreme genius of Shining’s godlike mastermind, Niklas Kvarforth, cannot be overstated. Kvarforth is a composer, who is, in my elitist mind, without a modern rival. I have said it before, and I will say it again: Kvarforth is the artist whom I respect most in every way.
We must note that Lots of Girls Gonna Get Hurt received an expanded reissue last year. This cover EP features renditions of compositions that were originally performed by the likes of Kent and Poets of the Fall. Although the content is not what one would call black metal in a traditional sense, it is extremely black metal in spirit. Paradoxically, Lots of Girls Gonna Get Hurt manages to come across as one of the darkest and most disturbing audial nightmares of all.
Shining is currently in the process of preparing a new EP, which has already become my new favorite thing. It is honestly one of the greatest offerings I have heard in my abominable life. For me, there is no question: It will be the best release of 2025. Without beautiful music like this upcoming effort, I would truly have to blow my brains out.
07) Strid’s Strid (1994)
Strid’s first demo, End of Life (1993), is certainly one of the most defining releases in the genre. This one-song masterwork has inspired many of the most important black metal bands that explore depressive elements in their material. Strid’s no less great self-titled two-song EP followed the next year. Ravn Harjar, who handled guitars on this effort, and the late Storm each composed a track. Storm’s bass is prominent while his vocals are dangerously sorrowful and totally authentic. Jardar’s drums are also spot-on. Slow, melodic, damp, and cold, this EP grips listeners with the narcotic embrace of its haunting atmospheres.
Despite their extremely limited catalogue, I would call Strid one of the best black metal bands of all time. Although Strid has only released the three aforementioned songs, they have written and performed more. We can’t wait to hear Strid’s next record, which is apparently on the way.
06) Manii’s Skuggeheimen (2015)
Although Manii deserves way more mainstream recognition, they are definitely one of the greatest black metal bands around. This is because Manii represents the creative reunion of the legendary Tor-Helge “Cernunnus” Skei and Sargatanas — the duo that recorded all of Manes’ classic black metal content. While the former has remained the driving force behind Manes, the latter dropped out of the picture after Under ein blodraud mane (1999). The phenomenal album that followed, Vilosophe (2003), marked Manes’ radical stylistic shift. Both old and neo-Manes are top-notch and overflow with experimental genius in their own ways.
Manii is the vessel through which Cern and Sargatanas continue to create black metal that is both innovative and nostalgic. Skuggeheimen consists of two re-recorded Manes tracks from a couple of Manes’ highly influential demos. The EP dazzles us with its necrotic majesty. Ethereal yet brutal, it provides a transcendent experience, thanks to Cern’s supremacy as a composer. On Skuggeheimen, Cern and Sargatanas were joined by Borgne’s Bornyhake on drums.
05) Skitliv’s Kristiansen and Kvarforth Swim in the Sea of Equilibrium While Waiting (2007) & Amfetamin (2008)
Many fantastic musicians have passed through Skitliv’s ranks. However, the band’s core consists of Maniac on lead vocals and Niklas Kvarforth on guitars and additional vocals. Although Skitliv has remained inactive for quite some time, we trust that they will make a comeback because Maniac and Kvarforth simply share too much explosive creativity and magnetic energy to do otherwise. Together, these two radically inventive icons constitute my most highly recommended duo. With Skitliv, Maniac and Kvarforth created a new form of music that is orgasmic beyond one’s wildest imagination. Skitliv is cerebral yet trippy perfection. Maniac’s poetic and philosophical lyrics paired with his brilliant delivery are truly unforgettable.
It is difficult to speak of either Kristiansen and Kvarforth Swim in the Sea of Equilibrium While Waiting or Amfetamin without the other since different versions of all three tracks from the former appear on the latter, which is partially a live release. While the first EP features guest vocals by Current 93’s David Tibet, the second boasts a special appearance by Mayhem’s Attila Csihar. Compositions from these works are included on other offerings as well. For example, they would eventually make their way onto Skitliv’s lone full-length album, Skandinavisk Misantropi (2009), which is, in my opinion, one of the very best and most pleasurable black metal records of all time.
