Best examples of using the EP format well.

I know some people love and some people loathe the EP format. I like it, particularly when it is well utilized. Just putting out your 4 or 5 new songs as an EP doesn't do it for me. But I love when bands use the EP as a way to do something a little differently than what might be on their records, or to put out live tracks and other rarities or whatever. The band I can think of that best uses the format is Anthrax.

I don't know much beyond their Belladonna stuff, but their first 3 EPs do what I think an EP should.

Armed and Dangerous, for starters, introduced us to Belladonna. It had a cover song, some live tracks and an exclusive track. Good to go there.

I'm the Man, while it had too many versions of the title track, it obviously was a place to do something like "I'm the Man" without throwing it in the middle of their LP. And then, you know, live songs and a cover tune.

Penikufesin- It's got a tune from their recent album at the time, and a bunch of cover jams, even a little French. Just fun stuff.

Any other bands you feel use the shortened, non-LP format well?

Sacred Reich's Surf Nicaragua would be the other one besides Anthrax's that comes to mind.

jstate wrote:

Sacred Reich's Surf Nicaragua would be the other one besides Anthrax's that comes to mind.

Yes, that one too, perfect use of the format.

Kreator - Out of the Dark... Into the Light

Slayer - Haunting the Chapel
Sodom - Expurse of Sodomy

I think that both of these were landmark releases and ushered in what became trademark sounds.

The Chasm - Reaching The Veil of Death, it's got everything. Two awesome originals, a killer remake of an older song, a cool cover of another band (Bulldozer), and even a little intro and outro.

Anthrax - Armed & Dangerous EP
Savatage - The Dungeons Are Calling
Metallica - Creeping Death
Slayer - Haunting The Chapel
Celtic Frost - Emperor's Return
Riot - Riot Live (1983)
Metallica - $5.98 EP
Nuclear Assault - The Plague
Possessed - The Eyes of Horror

I think Destruction -- Sentence of Death is worth mentioning.

That Ratt e.p. was a pretty strong effort in introducing the band. I have no problem with the idea it is the best stuff they ever did.

Witchkiller - Day Of The Saxon is another that I think is a great example/

To me a killer E.P. should either be an introduction for a band or an attempt to tide the fans over until a full release come out down the line. It should also include primarily exclusive tracks found only on the EP. A big pet peeve of mine is someone releasing an e.p. then later having all the songs on that also end up on the next album.

A big pet peeve of mine is someone releasing an e.p. then later having all the songs on that also end up on the next album. wrote:

Zackly.


Anthrax - Attach of the Killer Bees. Very clever title too. It's all B-side tracks, and some of em are killer.

Ravenscraig wrote:

Zackly.


Anthrax - Attach of the Killer Bees. Very clever title too. It's all B-side tracks, and some of em are killer.

In the spirit of this and the killer introduction thing, I'm going for

Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales

Killer debut, and well, them's some really morbid tales!   

Boris2008 wrote:

Ravenscraig wrote:

Zackly.


Anthrax - Attach of the Killer Bees. Very clever title too. It's all B-side tracks, and some of em are killer.

In the spirit of this and the killer introduction thing, I'm going for

Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales

Killer debut, and well, them's some really morbid tales!   

UGH!! HEYY!!!

Boris2008 wrote:

Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales

Killer debut, and well, them's some really morbid tales!   

One caveat. When Morbid Tales was first released in Europe it was a 6-track EP. When it was picked up for the US market 2 additional tracks were added (Dethroned Emperor and Morbid Tales) and it was released as an LP. Interesting that the EP version didn't contain the title track.

queensryche first ep
Great White..on your knees
I agree with Riot Live and Ratts ep also..

GNR-Lies.  Showed a different side of the band and was the last release of theirs I wanted to buy.  Didn't really care for anything they released after that.

HEYYYYYY!! :warrior

Here's a dandy: "Escape from Pain" by Intruder.

Lots of EP's I would have mentioned..... I'm surprised no one has mentioned Maiden Japan yet!

Motley Crue-Quaternary; it features a solo song from each member and a few other goodies.
Megadeth-Cryptic Sounds: No Voices In Your Head; features instrumental versions of 5 songs from 'Cryptic Writings'.

thejokeriv wrote:

Lots of EP's I would have mentioned..... I'm surprised no one has mentioned Maiden Japan yet!

Your right!! Great E.P

Entombed released 2 really good EP's which are Crawl and Stranger Aeons. Most of the songs ended up being rerecorded for their 2nd album, but it was very cool!

Witchery - Witchburner is a GREAT ep that kicks ass!

thejokeriv wrote:

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Maiden Japan yet!

Yeah, I'm kicking myself for that, especially since it's one of my all-time favorites.

S.D. wrote:

thejokeriv wrote:

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Maiden Japan yet!

Yeah, I'm kicking myself for that, especially since it's one of my all-time favorites.  

Quite possibly my favorite Maiden record full stop,so yeah a bit of a miss.   

Also Motorhead/Girlschool St Valentines Day Massacre - Great collaboration and the two covers of each others songs was a neat idea

akeldama wrote:

Megadeth-Cryptic Sounds: No Voices In Your Head; features instrumental versions of 5 songs from 'Cryptic Writings'.

Are these the exact same versions that appear on Cryptic Writings with just the vocals removed or did they add more guitar work to replace the missing vocals?