EXO’s legacy and myth-making power have always been undeniable. Since their 2012 debut with an otherworldly concept that changed idol storytelling, the group has become synonymous with cinematic world-building, strong vocals, and pop that never plays it safe. From hits like Growl, Monster, and Love Shot to sold-out world tours and million-selling albums, EXO have…
Tag: rock
The Vampire Chronicles: ENHYPEN’s “THE SIN: VANISH” – ALBUM REVIEW
THE SIN: VANISH is a narrative-driven EP which draws on ENHYPEN’s vampire concept and associated lore. Guest starring Park Jeong-min as a newsreader/investigative journalist, the album utilises first-person narration to tell the story of the forbidden romance between a vampire and their lover. While the album has been termed as experimental due to its format,…
CRYSTAL LAKE Deliver Their Most Powerful Statement Yet on “The Weight of Sound”
With The Weight of Sound, Crystal Lake delivers a record that is ferocious yet polished, and what I love most is how it explores what “heaviness” really means. Seven albums in, the Tokyo metalcore titans sound sharper and more focused than ever, turning that intensity into what may be their most complete release yet. Instrumentally,…
KIK Drops New EP “LOW KIK”, A Confident Comeback for the Band
EP LOW KIK goes beyond simply setting where KIK stands as a band. As artists continue to grow, the way they deal with emotions cannot stay the same, and this release is once again completed in a way that clearly reflects “KIK at this moment”. For those who may not be familiar, KIK is a…
YD of Crystal Lake on the New Album, “The Weight of Sound”, Metalcore and the Upcoming Tour
Crystal Lake have long proven that metalcore can be brutal and precise, and that balance is on full display as they prepare to release their sixth studio album, The Weight of Sound, on January 23. When I interviewed YD (Yudai Miyamoto) – the band’s founder and last remaining original member – he spoke less about…
Gabby Onme Step Into a Very Emotional Territory with “Gabby Onme 3.0”
Korean duo Gabby Onme, made up of Adrian and KINDA, return with new music. Their newest EP, Gabby Onme 3.0, just hit the market, and without a doubt, it is compact and emotionally dense. Described by Gabby Onme as “a new chapter”, Gabby Onme 3.0 reflects on the past to sketch the emotional outlines of…
Catch The Young To Release Their First Album, “EVOLVE”, on January 19th
Catch The Young are stepping into their most defining era yet. The rising K-rock band has officially announced their first full-length studio album, EVOLVE, set for release on January 19, 2026. Since their debut in November 2023 with Catch The Young: Fragments of Youth, the five-piece has moved with remarkable strength, slowly but surely creating…
Japanese Metalcore: The Rise of Zilqy – Exclusive Interview
Japanese metalcore has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade. Emerging from the genre’s Western foundations, downtuned guitars and breakdown-heavy structures, the Japanese scene injects something extraordinary into the genre itself. Bands like Crossfaith, Crystal Lake, Coldrain, and Earthists. have become global touchstones. Japanese metalcore’s brutality is rarely left unchecked, often countered by intense…
RESCENE on Their Third Mini Album “lip bomb”, Training Days and Favourite Berries – Exclusive Interview
It was one of those cold, rainy London days when the city feels quieter than usual. I sat down with a cup of coffee, turned on my speakers, and pressed play on RESCENE’s new mini-album lip bomb. Almost instantly, the music made me feel warm, and it became a charming listening experience. Released a few…
Catch The Young Breathe New Life into a 90s Korean Rock Ballad, “Footsteps (발걸음)”
Catch The Young are back and have released a new remake single of the 90s rock ballad classic, 발걸음 (FOOTSTEPS) by Emerald Castle. Originally released in 1997, the song reflects the pain of a breakup and the hope of starting again. Its emotional melody and beautiful lyrics have made it a beloved classic in South Korea, covered by…
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