xH₂O=>Hydrated Sessions: TOP2025 of Non-Album Release

Creating a high-quality diverse remix release isn't as easy as it seems, and bringing in outside musicians, choosing a genre range requires careful analysis and approach. While you can, of course, simply contact musicians you know, such releases are often overlooked and difficult to listen to, creating a remix collection that is cohesive and tells a story is not so simple. Non-album top traditionally highlight releases that aren't full-length albums, covering all genre of the dark scene music. The criteria here are somewhat different from selecting full-length works, so this list is presented as a separate section. Every year many interesting short releases are out, which always listened faster and easier than longer albums. EPs are mostly the preserve of young projects just beginning their journey into dark music. But it’s not for sure.

Covered genres and formats: all dark scene genres, EP, demo, single, maxi single, remix compilation

10. Kalandra “Mørketid (EP)” (neofolk | Norway, By Norse Music)

The Norwegian folk project Kalandra formed in 2012 and has released three full-length albums, one of which is the soundtrack for the computer game "Kingdom Two Crowns: Norse Lands". In 2025 the Norwegians released the EP "Mørketid", which features four Scandinavian neofolk compositions with Norwegian and English lyrics, an ethereal atmosphere and beautiful female vocals. The English-language compositions are originals by the Norwegians themselves, while the Norwegian songs are a reimagining of a traditional Scandinavian Christmas anthem and a cover version of a song from the Norwegian children's television series "Blåfjell." A good interesting release.

09. Memoremains “Toxic Devotion (EP)” (electro-metal, gothic metal, alternative metal | Finland, Self-Released)

The Finnish band Memoremains was founded in 2016 and has two full-length albums in its discography. Their first alnum, released in 2020, was geared more toward metal and alternative audiences. Their follow-up, titled "Pop Metal", saw the Finns change into a more electronic pop sound, thus charting their future direction. Their 2025 EP features seven short tracks that blend danceable electro metal with hints of cyber metal, influenced by eurodance, gothic metal and a more alternative edge. The hitty songs with Johanna's classy female vocals make you move, while the guitar riffs evoke a time when the hair was long. A solid cohesive material from a relatively young Finnish band.

08. Ördo “Strategy of Static (EP)” (electro-industrial, oldschool dark electro | Argentina, Self-Released)

Ördo is a side project of the Argentine industrial-folk act Kazeria and presents their second EP "Strategy of Static." The first work from Kazeria's harsher side was released in 2023. On the new EP the Argentines present six tracks that combine harsh multi-layered modern electro-industrial and EBM with distorted male vocals and English lyrics. This is an intriguing work from the Argentines, worthy of the attention of fans of post-industrial genres.

07. KIFOTH “Lost Territory (EP)” (electro-industrial, EBM | Slovakia, Aliens Production)

KIFOTH is a Slovak electro-industrial icon and acknowledged masters of post-industrial music. The Slovaks began their career in 1993, making a significant contribution not only to the development of post-industrial music in Slovakia, essentially founding it, but also influencing the formation and development of electro-industrial genre in Europe as a whole. Over the years, audience preferences and scene trends have shifted, but KIFOTH has remained devoted to their sound. "Lost Territory" is the Slovaks' first release since 2019. The EP features four new compositions in the genre of classic oldschool electro-industrial and remixes from Slovak post-industrial colleagues Terminal State, Last Influence of Brain, The Opposer Divine, Disharmony and others, as well as the French project Brain Leisure and Swiss giants Sleepwalk. A fine well-crafted return from these popular Slovaks. Now we await their full-length album.

06. Diary of Dreams “Dead End Dreams (Chapter 1) (EP)” (synth-goth, darkwave | Germany, Accession Records)

The German project Diary of Dreams needs no introduction. Its unique recognizable sound has become an icon of the synth-goth/darkwave genre, Adrian's vocals have long been a distinctive for the genre and hits from the 2000s still could be heard in the headphones of gothic electronic music fans and on dark dancefloors around the world. In 2025 the Germans released an EP titled "Dead End Dreams (Chapter 1)", which featured six new tracks in the classic iconic Diary of Dreams sound. Melancholic dark electronica with emotional compositions, Adrian's recognizable vocals, a familiar structure and an overall peculiar atmosphere. One track is in German, the rest in English. Another solid excellent work from Diary of Dreams. The press release makes it clear that the EP's roots go back to the 2002 release "PaniK Manifesto", specifically the song "Panik?", whose story, according to Adrian, is unfinished. The German decided to conclude the allegory with a series of EPs. Their number is unknown, so we await the continuation.

05. Casa De Brujas “Femme Oscura (EP)” (synth-goth, gothic electro | USA, Self-Released)

The American project Casa De Brujas, consisting of Elizabeth, Jacqueline and Kat, began releasing their first recordings in 2023. The Americans explore the darkly romantic corners of the gothic electronic music world, combining lyrical synth-goth with the harsher sounds of gothic electro. Casa De Brujas' debut EP, released in 2025, features four new compositions of cold dark gothic electronic music with atmospheric female vocals. There won't be any dancefloor hits here, but rather emotional songs for home listening. A very good debut EP from this promising American artist. Great work.

04. TC75 “Motion (EP)” (EBM | Germany, 9XO Media)

Somehow, several years ago the German project TC75 transitioned from a run-of-the-mill post-industrial outfit with standard material to a project with unique sound, combining rhythmic post-industrial genres with atmospheric industrial influences, and their works become a top contender every year. In 2025 Tino Klaus, est known for his work with Amnestia, released two releases. The EP, titled "Motion", includes five original tracks in the electro-industrial and EBM genres. While there are no industrial elements here, these genres are executed at their best. This isn't oldschool, but a thoroughly modern sound, which doesn't make it any less mechanical, multilayered or interesting. The album also includes remixes of the title track, and it's precisely the diversity of these remixes that propelled TC75's new work so high among the year's top non-album releases. The electro-industrial version of Mildreda differs from the original in sound, but not in style, while the remix by Germans DSTRTD SGNL takes to the dancefloor by explosive modern EBM and techno beats. Another German project Oszylayter added a breakbeat charm to the original sound, while the final version by Xotox switched to noises from the rhythmic noise and techno-industrial scene. Excellent work, both in the original compositions and in the remix section. In my article on the top post-industrial scenes I wrote that there were almost no interesting releases in these genres in 2025. Now it's clear why. Everything has been relegated to the top of non-album material.

03. CLM849 “50TNI-1 (EP)” (industrial, rhythmic noise | UK, Self-Released)

British project CLM849 is a relatively newcomer and "50TNI-1" is its debut. The release features three tracks, a bone-chilling blend of rhythmic noise, industrial whir and electro-industrial tempo. While it won't be a dancefloor-oriented, it's certainly an ear-pounding assault. The experimental, multi-layered and cluttered noises with a harsh beat remind Winterkälte's early works, but in a more industrial remix. A very powerful work from an interesting promising new project.

02. Deviant UK “Speak of the Devil (EP)” (electrogoth, gothic electro, futurepop | UK, Armalyte Industries)

The British project Deviant UK was founded in 2004 by Jay Smith. Deviant UK's debut album was released in 2006 and by 2025 the project had released two full-length albums, the most recent of which was released in 2011. In 2024 Jay returned to music and in 2025 a new EP with five new songs was out. The perfect combination of electrogoth, synth/futurepop and occasional touches of gothic electro and EBM have always been the Brit's signature. With this new release the project showcased its talent in all its glory. Excellent hitty songs with Jay's unique vocals will be frequent guests on gothic dancefloors and remixes from Frozen Plasma, For All the Emptiness and others add even more rhythm and danceability. A great comeback from the Brit. Now we await his full-length return.

01. Discothèque “Discothèque 3.0 (EP)” (electropop, synthpop | USA, Crushing Me Music)

The American project Discothèque was formed in Los Angeles in the late 20s by Andrew and Andrea. Andrew Kubiszewski is a respected and known musician in the dark music scene. His credits include the ancient synthpop project Exotic Birds, the electronic rock pioneers Stabbing Westward, a couple of rock one-hit bands, BMI TV MUSIC AWARDs for film and television scores and a wealth of musical experience. With Discothèque the Americans create powerful romantic synthetic electropop with Andrea's magnificent vocals. The project's discography does not yet have any full-length album. Perhaps the Americans have decided to follow in the footsteps of the Swedes Kite and release Eps only. In any case, "Discotheque 3.0" is their third EP and includes five original compositions and two mixes of their own songs. Solid and well-crafted high-level electropop with catchy synth-driven tracks sounds perfect, polished and deeply professional. A powerful material by the Americans.

Other honorable mentions: § (section), Blackrose Accord, Carmilla Sioux, Ceraph, Cooper & Himmelmann, Coumadin, Daemonia Nymphe, Dear Darkness, Digiheks, Eve Schwarz & Veldt, Frontal Boundary, Harugaz, Iamnoone, Keep Shelly In Athens, Kenny Campbell, Lost Lenore, Musgo En Las Sienes, Portion Control, vvøid:sector, Years of Denial