This Japanese band had the prestige of being the very first band officially announced for next year’s Soundwave festival. Does their music justify this type of hype?
For starters, you have to be good at what you do to play Soundwave. And, whether you like this style of music or not, these guys are very good at what they do. In fact, they suit the Soundwave demographic to just about perfection. The melodic metalcore sound is arguably the biggest thing in heavy music right now, it’s what the kids are digging on right now, and these guys have the formula down pat. It’s heavy where it needs to be, and virtually all of the choruses soar to the very heavens in true melodic style.
If you didn’t know these guys were Japanese, you would think they were American – the sound, the production polish, the singer even sings in American accent. It’s all geared up to appeal to American metalcore audiences. Yes, it’s production-line stuff, but it’s good production line stuff.
If you’re into this style of music, this is serious value for money, 16 tracks and an hour’s worth of music, with very few weak links to be heard. The ‘true’ metal heads will bitch and moan about them of course, but these guys will no doubt come to play Soundwave, play a bunch of kick arse sets for the Aussie punters, and head home with a heap of new fans under their belt. And that’s all that really matters.
BY ROD WHITFIELD
Best Track: The War Is On
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: CROSSFAITH, THE AMITY AFFLICTION, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE
In A Word: Clever
