The buzz surrounding metal idols Babymetal and the success of metalcore act Crossfaith has brought more attention to Japan’s heavy-music scene. Nagoya-based post-hardcore band Coldrain has been quick to take advantage of this with an EP titled “Until the End” — a six-song release that comes on the back of an international version of the LP “Revelation,” which was released in Japan a year ago.
“Until the End” demonstrates more maturity and experimentation than the band’s three previous albums (including “Revelation”) and two EPs, and shows the band is heading in an interesting direction. This may be in large part due to vocalist Masato Hayakawa’s active involvement in the musical composition of the tracks, not just writing the lyrics. Opener “Aware and Awake” is a melodic powerhouse that highlights one of Coldrain’s strengths: Hayakawa’s emotional vocals, which alternate between growls and screams with ease. The vocals are also a highlight on “You Lie,” an earworm-inducing track that features poplike choruses and venomous lyrics: “You lie, you lie so much that you don’t know anymore.” The drums are heavy on “Evolve,” which rips straight into a battering of guitar and bass, matched only by the onslaught of Hayakwa’s voice.
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