Simulakra

“Reincarnation” (DAZE, 2024)

The good thing about Art, is that you can love its multiple forms and embrace them all the same way, and at times you need to take things slowly. You heard A or B, and it did not click? Wait, as it might click later. It happened to me and this new – to me at least – wave of metallic Hardcore, or Metalcore, not quite clear on the nomenclature. But that is completely indifferent. I have always had “issues” with Hardcore that sounded too Heavy Metal. A band like the Cro-Mags has never been a favourite of mine, although I do appreciate what they did, but that fusion (or addition) of “outside” elements has never clicked. “Cause for Alarm”, by the mighty Agnostic Front, is an exception that I take with warm comfort. With that, we welcome Simulakra to the stage! “Reincarnation” was released January the 14, and it still rocks! This is hard and heavy Hardcore based music, and it is heavy as Hell. This band crosses boarders, and we can effortlessly hear that. We have that Hardcore groove, of course, but then we also have those hard guitar riffs that take the music to a harder stage, if that makes sense. I, at least, see it as a continuation of artists wanting to push their sound to more aggressively pleasant levels. I read the term Beatdown, but considering I have never dived into labels, and care very little how you label a band, never tried to understand the definition behind it, so yeah. But I have learned to enjoy some bands labelled as Beatdown, so I might enjoy the genre after all. Regarding Simulakra, I love the vocals, and the at times Death Metal riffing that goes so well with the voice, plus the drums that are truly Hardcore royalty! Naaah, this is top-notch music, be it Hardcore, Beatdown, or Country Music! That ending on “S.I.T.A.” is another level! Go, go, go, just go!

Destiny

“To See Another Day…” (Independent, 2024)

Singapore. Art in general, and music in particular, sees no borders, no geography, no nothing. It “erupts” from everywhere and grows. Singapore, as mentioned in the beginning, is where we are headed to. Asian Hardcore is something I find very interesting. Not knowledgeable on it, but always willing to learn, hence this adventure into unknown territory with the band Destiny. I first heard of these lads from The Lion City a few years back, through their 2020 self-titled Demo, but lost track of them to reunite with them this year, a few days back, for “To See Another Day…”. Destiny is clearly a 90ies melodic Hardcore band, and I like it. They have these huge moments where people gather as one, and sing, holding each other. It is music for union, friendship, d’you know what I mean?! I have one thing to point out, nonetheless: the vocals lack energy, lack power and personality. Love the instrumental side of their music, but feel the vocals lack something. Do they fit the music? In fact, they do; could the music work a bit better with a more powerful vocal performance? I dare say yes. In conclusion: I like their music, liked their Demo and like the LP. Feel they could be a bit bigger but dig them the way they are.