HAERERE + herside (splt CD)

A split CD featuring two bands from Kitakyushu's screamo /post-hardcore scene

Both HAERERE and herside have had their solo releases handled by 3LA in the past, though that was several years ago—a distant memory. Yet listening to this split, it feels like both bands have reinvented and updated themselves.

HAERERE initially seemed influenced by neocrust upon first release, but their current sound clearly places them within the lineage of unsettling, skramz with EU-screamo influences. The flow in the latter tracks like “We Can't Go Back to That Day” and “The Pain of Breathing” carries a distinct atmosphere unique to them, one not found even in Tokyo. As for herside, their previous work featured a sound hugely popular in the 3LA scene, blending 2000s post-hardcore with an inorganic, unsettling quality. That essence remains intact here, but now it's sharper, denser, and exploding with power – incredibly cool. The relentless tension and gritty, rough-edged sound are fantastic.

Lately, I've often found Japanese bands cooler than their US/EU counterparts, and it seems that trend is already hitting strong in 2023. While Kitakyushu remains uncharted territory for me, I send my utmost respect. This is easily one of the best splits of 2023 so far.

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tracklist:
1. HAERERE - intro 01:42
2. HAERERE - ゴーストタウン 03:14
3. HAERERE - 必要ない冗長性 03:07
4. HAERERE - あの日にかえれない 05:33
5. HAERERE - 息継ぎの痛み 03:23
6. herside - 境界線 03:49
7. herside - 行為の対象 04:24
8. herside - 整合性 03:54
9. herside - 第二の期待 02:58