The intersection between metal and hardcore has been a bustling roadstop for the past 30+ years, with many bands trying to fit these instantly recognizable styles under the same umbrella to varying degrees of success and acclaim. One of the crossover styles with the best track record when it comes to musical quality and artistic integrity is mathcore, and that’s where Kakihara from Edinburgh enter the picture.
Formed in 2018 and consisting of Keith Muddiman (vocals), Gary Hollingsworth (drums), Biff Paris (bass), as well as Fraser McNeill and Kris Kournavos (guitars), the band splices their chaotic take on beatdown hardcore with math-y styling à la Coalesce and Converge with elements of screamo in the vein of Japanese genre stalwarts Envy to arrive at a signature concoction that’ll leave your head spinning like a swift roundhouse kick right after happy hour. Especially the drums have that recognizable hardcore tinge that’s easy to pick out, both in sound and delivery – a taste of the classics, arriving in a brand new package!
Their explosive energy has earned Kakihara a spot alongside bands like The Callous Daoboys, ’68, or portrayal of guilt ever since the quintet decided to reactivate after a prolonged hiatus. This ferocious hunger is also what they sought to capture on their upcoming release Love Songs Part II, an EP recorded live in what’s essentially a living room over the span of mere days. Today, we can put that ambition to the test, as we are happy to premiere their latest single “Calamari” for you!
In its essence, “Calamari” is early ’00s mathcore distilled down to a science: panic chords, knotty riffs, unhinged vocals, and the aforementioned hardcore-forward drumming come together to deliver a beatdown for the ages. Kakihara have obviously studied the ancient tomes well, without neglecting the need to foster a unique charisma within their music. This is well-crafted and expertly performed metallic hardcore with a mind-bending twist, delivered by a band that’s obviously competent and confident in their collective abilities. Seeing them gleefully rip through the song in a live setting is a nice bonus.
Love Songs Part II will be released on December 5 via Ripcord Records, and you can head on over to the label’s Bandcamp store to pre-order a digital or physical copy. On the band’s own Bandcamp, you can find their previous releases for your perusal. Be sure to leave Kakihara a follow on their social media pages (Facebook | Instagram), because this is an act you’ll want to keep an eye on in the future!
