Hi everyone,

Continuing my series of Death Metal recommendations. For this one, I wanted to focus specifically on EPs, devastating releases that fly under the radar but pack a massive punch. If you’re looking for some raw, cavernous, and filthy short-formats to spin, check these out:

[Crematory Stench](https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Crematory_Stench/3540415361) – [Grotesque Deformities](https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Crematory_Stench/Grotesque_Deformities/745112) (USA, 2018) Pure, unadulterated California OSDM soaked in total filth. If you love the disgusting, buzzsaw HM-2 guitar tone mixed with cavernous vocals and relentless, muddy pacing, this EP is a mandatory listen. It hits right in the gut. This EP is incredible from top to bottom. I've been spinning it for 2 days now and can't say when I'm going to stop. Personal favorites: "Grotesque Deformities", "Septic Offal".

[Cerebral Rot](https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Cerebral_Rot/3540443028) – [Cessation of Life](https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Cerebral_Rot/Cessation_of_Life/725314) (USA, 2018) Marked as a demo in Metal Archives but as an EP in my streaming app. Whatever it is, it's brilliant. Heavy and fast riffs filled with energy, I fucking dare you not to mark the tempo with your feet while listening to it. This is massive and full speed till the end. Personal favorites: "Cerebral Rot", "Primordial Soup of Unknowing".

[Crypt of Kerberos](https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Crypt_of_Kerberos/2760) – [Cyclone of Insanity](https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Crypt_of_Kerberos/Cyclone_of_Insanity/24587) (Sweden, 1992) An absolute masterclass in Death/Doom from the early 90s Swedish scene. This 3-track EP is cryptic, heavy, and delivers an incredibly eerie atmosphere with a unique touch of that HM-2 buzzsaw sound and crushing riffs. Personal favorite: "The Ancient Cult".

[Dismayed](https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Dismayed/3540495444) – [Bloodletting](https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Dismayed/Bloodletting/1232495) (Canada, 2024) If you're a fan of early 90s underground brutality, this one is an absolute goldmine. It delivers brilliant Old School Death Metal that relies heavily on fast, aggressive Thrash-style riffing. The tracks are heavy, dark, and suffocating. It’s also packed with an incredible groove and energized by some sharp, devastating pinch harmonics that jump right at your throat. Combined with the brutally deep and guttural vocals, it turns these thrashy structures into a relentless, high-energy sonic assault. Personal favorites: "Altering Death", "Human Erase".

[Horrifying](https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Horrifying/3540339751) – [Altered States Fermentation](https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Horrifying/Altered_States_Fermentation/681019) (Chile, 2017) If you miss the raw, primitive violence of early Death (Scream Bloody Gore era), this Chilean gem is exactly what you need. It takes that classic, savage late-80s blueprint but drags it down into the abyss with a much lower guitar tuning and brutally heavy, cavernous vocals. It’s dark, suffocating, and carries that chaotic energy unique to the South American underground scene. I’m still diving into this one, but it already hits incredibly hard. Personal favorites: "Neurotic", "Abstract Illusion".

[Worm ](https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Worm/3540398560)– [Bluenothing](https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Worm/Bluenothing/1070203) (USA, 2022) Hold up, I know what you are saying, this is not a hidden gem and it's in fact well acclaimed. Well, hell yeah! But I wanted to talk about it anyway. A monumental EP that perfectly bridges the gap between funeral doom and majestic, technical death metal. This is beauty and the beast in one record. The atmosphere is completely grand and majestic, packed with incredible, soaring guitar solos and deep, swampy growls. A modern masterpiece. Nothing more to say, it's top to bottom a must-listen. Personal favorites: "Bluenothing", "Centuries of Ooze II".

What about you guys? Have you spun any of these, or do you have other underground EPs that deserve more love? Let me know in the comments!

6 underground Death Metal / Death-Doom EPs for your collection