The number of elements that go into any great release varies greatly from one band to another, and to see a band of any kind pull it all off without a hitch on any given album is something that demands respect and commendation. For me, Eremit did everything perfectly with their debut album last year. Coming out as my number one, “Carrier of Weight” is still something that I hold very dear to my heart and Eremit has been poised to become one of my favorite growing acts in the vast underground. Here I thought we’d have to wait for at least two or three or four years for the next chapters in the saga of the Hermit, but, fortunately, I was wrong! Still riding on the coattails of their debut and multiple sequels already planned and in motion, Eremit’s journey to capture our imaginations and souls continues with wild success with their upcoming EP.

Normally, a two-song EP sounds pretty standard. Just throw in two songs that could be B-sides, cheeky covers, or some singles from an upcoming album and toss the work at listeners for them to make whatever they will out of it. But, that’s not what Eremit goes for here. Every move they made with this EP was methodical on a level we should likely continue to expect from the German act. In terms of storytelling, production value, and musical evolution carried over from “Carrier of Weight, there isn’t a single thing about “Desert of Ghouls” that doesn’t scream improvement. One might be saddened to see the wildly heavy sound toned down ever so slightly with this offering, but that does not mean in any sense that Eremit is going light on us. This release still thrashes you around with speed and then can just as easily bludgeon you with slow but precise strikes of extreme heaviness backed by the intensity we saw last year, and Eremit runs with it masterfully!

Eremit has come back with a slightly cleaner sound, but still unquestionably heavy in all regards, that brings with it “shorter” songs with the lead track clocking in at nine minutes to give us the band’s briefest piece to date but with the same amount of potency. Then comes the second offering that has so many different flavors in it that it could put the most delicious food to shame with its hypnotic lead-in, marvelous riffage, and speed that’s constantly shifting to trudge you throw an experience that’s just as nasty as it is satisfying; something that’s already a staple of Eremit’s uncompromising approach to all that they’ve produced. But what really ties “Desert of Ghouls” together is how melodic this entire EP is! Right from the very first second, Eremit drives forth with undeniable riffage that really grabs you by the throat and drags you by it for the entirety of the 21-minute listen that is so incredibly satisfying that you don’t want it to end, and when it does grind to its eventual end you’re left craving for so much more!

It’s really the story that brought me back as well. The story behind the overarching story that is continued here from “Carrier of Weight” is exceedingly unique in its creativity and epic in its scope is something that I can’t easily find myself abandoning. The Hermit’s trials in the oceanic desert that, after meeting with a stranger and braving multiple acts of potentially unseen forces, led him to near-mythological land is something that I found myself enraptured by, and I urge anyone to go seek it out as I don’t want to spoil it all for you. And, here, we’re not even given a direct follow-up. Instead, “Desert of Ghouls” gives us a look into the future of what’s to come after their eventual second full-length album, “Bearer of Many Names”. So, I couldn’t even tell you if this continues down the path before the Hermit or its someone else or from a different point of view, but Eremit knew how to really tickle the imagination and desire to follow the story with the listener. How can you get into the previous chapter, see this look into a blood-soaked future, and not wonder what the fuck happened in between? It was apparent before but now it’s cemented: Eremit aren’t just masterful in musical terms but, also, in terms of storytelling. They keep you guessing and between that and the overwhelming quality how the hell am I supposed to just let it pass by in any capacity?

Everything continues to fall into place for me with this band. Literally, everything! “Carrier of Weight” was something that blew every expectation I had right out of the water and it was rightfully received by listeners the way it should’ve, and the stage was set even before its release for a grand follow-up. While we haven’t been met yet with the real meaty second course that will hopefully be out by the end of this year (so soon!!), there’s no way of arguing against the fact that “Desert of Ghouls” is an extremely savory, satisfying, and mouth-watering treat whose value cannot be overstated. In every possible aspect, Eremit has delivered something worth noting and, now more than ever, the hype for their already-impending follow-up is higher than ever. And I expect to see every one of you when both of these drop upon the world. Otherwise, you’re really missing out on something that is textbook awesome.

“Desert of Ghouls” releases on July 17th via Transcending Obscurity Records!

PRE-ORDER “Desert of Ghouls” via Transcending Obscurity here or via Bandcamp.

LISTEN to an advanced single, “Beheading the Innumerous”, on Bandcamp here or via YouTube below.

LIKE Eremit on Facebook here.