Rashmon: Nin-Gen 12″

Description

Much like the classic Japanese bands we all know and love, RASHMON has never rushed to release anything. They wait until the time is right to completely raze your dome with their densely packed Tokyo via DC hardcore. (Did DEATH SIDE ever cover an ARTIFICIAL PEACE song? Probably not but if they did it might sound something like this. Maybe. Anyway…) Add the absolutely sloth-like pandemic production schedule and that had us frothing for ages. Almost long enough to give up and go home but that would be foolish since that is just not what punk does. Careening effortlessly between anthemic and cerebral, despair and optimism – “Nin-Gen” provides a destructive, cathartic release from the ugliness that has become our day-to-day existence, as well as fostering just enough anger and hope within us to make tomorrow worth fighting for.

Our take: Its been four years since Rashmon graced us with their last record, and Im glad to have them back. Rashmon has always taken obvious cues from classic Japanese hardcore, but theyve developed their own take on the sound, combining the brute force pummeling of bands like Warhead and Nightmare with Death Sides musicality. Im always skeptical when people say something sounds like Death Side, because usually what they mean is there is epic, Iron Maiden-esque lead guitar all over it, but not so with Rashmon. While they have occasional leads, theyre quirkier and more interesting than your typical heavy metal flash. See, for instance, the creepy, chromatic-sounding guitar lead near the beginning of the second track. More than Death Side, though, Rashmon reminds me of the lesser-appreciated band Warhead, particularly in their sneering vocal style and the dense technicality of their songwriting and arrangements. As with Warhead, Rashmon can sound overwhelming at first, but closer listens reveal each song is rich with interesting musical detail. And since this brisk EP only clocks in at around 10 minutes, theres plenty of time in your day to give it the multiple spins it deserves.