Another week and four more incredible EPs for us to check out. Mainly metal but a punk one cheekily slides in there, too. Let’s dive right in, shall we?
Our North: Everyone For Themselves
The UK alt-metallers put out their debut EP today, and look to take no prisoners on their rise to the top! This thing is heavy and melodic in equal measure, and a real powerhouse of a six-track release. The screams are brutal, the breakdowns heavy and the clean parts effortlessly catchy and huge. It’s the perfect blend of Linkin Park and Devil Wears Prada/Chelsea Grin; almost like if all of BMTH’s discography was smashed together in a blender. Tracks like the opener, the almost hip-hop-based ‘Violent Rules’ and the brutally heavy rap-infused title track are all massive highlights, but there really isn’t a bad track on this thing! For a debut release and only two singles before this within the last two months, the band have hit the ground running in a major way and honestly blown me away. If you are at all a fan of the style or any of the bands I’ve mentioned above, I cannot recommend this release enough. The band have a very bright future ahead of them and I already can’t wait to hear where they go from here. However, for now, this gets a very solid 9/10 from us!
Infamous Stiffs: The Ornery Six
This snarling collection of six angry punk tracks is exactly what I needed right now, and is a fucking awesome release! The Californian supergroup of scene-legends follow-up their critically acclaimed 2021 debut album perfectly with this; a very much long-awaited return. We don’t cover nearly enough punk here at Overtone so whenever I get sent any I love it, and this is very much at the top of the pack for the genre in 2025. It’s an EP that’s also impossible to pick highlights from, as every song is fantastic and it really feels like it’s supposed to be listened to in full at least once! Still, the singles are awesome and were very well selected! If you’re into traditional punk you are probably already listening to this so don’t need me telling you, but it’s a really fantastic EP and definitely worth checking out! It’s fast, angry and fun, and a very easy listen. 8/10
Thr33 Sixt33n: Ex_Nihlo
The debut release of this Stoke-based modern metalcore/hardcore outfit is fantastic for a group so young! The tension builds perfectly in the opening track before exploding in with the heaviness; feeling dark and full of emotion and setting the tone perfectly. Then ‘NIHLISTIC’ goes hard throughout, the big metalcore riff being complimented perfectly by the almost extreme metal screams. I actually love the scream to, it being so impressive and a style that we rarely hear anyway, let alone on this style and on music so well produced. However, don’t let that take away from the CRUSHING riffing and breakdowns, and the incredibly solid drums! The track is a highlight, but so is the single off it, ‘PINS & N(33)DLES’. It’s only three tracks and nine minutes long, but introduces the band perfectly and immediately leaves me impatient for more! If you are into this sort of style even slightly, I can’t recommend this enough! They are going to be a big name in the scene sooner rather than later, and this is a fantastic jumping off point for that. 8.5/10, would have been higher if it was longer!
Oceanica: Try Not to Dwell on It
This epic, one-track prog EP is honestly pretty incredible, and one hell of an achievement from a songwriting and performing point of view. It’s still pretty heavy, but also feels almost ethereal with all the airiness of it. The closest comparison I find myself making is to some of Devin Townsends stuff. Some of the riffs are incredible and the drums behind them make it all sound so massive. I like the multi-layered vocals too, both working so well together and producing some amazing harmonies. And, while it’s clear the track is split up into sections a la 2112, they all fit together exceptionally well! It’s certainly not going to be for everyone, but if you have the time to sit down and listen to this through, it will reward you with a journey like no other. Definitely for fans of the quirky and prog metal. Thankfully, I love both, so this is a solid 8/10 from me!