5 Albums to Introduce You to Japanese Screamo

Screamo, screamo, screamo. Arguably one of the most polarizing and heavily contested (misused?) terms in music. From its rise in the 1990s to its perversion and offshoots in the 2000s, screamo has consistently been at the backbone of DIY outsider culture and youth movements, regardless of whether you define it as “the DC emotional hardcore scene,” “skramz,” or Hot Topic, y2k mall movements of raccoon haired scene kids. All these iterations, whether deemed false or true, or whether perceived as for better or for worse, have played a part in the development of contemporary metal and hardcore music scenes as well as their communities, not to mention have had lasting impact and influence on even some mainstream culture, music, and social trends. For the sake of clarity today though, we will specifically address what is commonly considered “real screamo,” bands and albums that can be (mostly) clearly traced through the lineage and evolution of the original 1990s emotional hardcore scenes.

Screamo is historically a global phenomenon, certainly not by any means unique to the United States, and notable bands have come from all across the world. Japan’s own screamo scene, similarly to the US, traces its origins to the 1990s. Early acts and innovators such as Envy and There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, amongst early alternative groups, such as post hardcore outfit Cowpers, would lay the foundation of a rich musical subculture that is still thriving to this day. There is no single dimension to screamo music as a whole, and it is vast in its stylings and experimentation; Japanese screamo is no different and the genre offers a wide variety of personal interpretations. So if you’re ready to emote, here are five albums to introduce you to Japanese screamo!

birth - iro

birth play a post hardcore tinged variation of screamo music, implementing some traditional emo influence. There’s a very melodic flow to their sound, with alternating harsh and clean vocal styles as well as instrumentation that spans a smooth alternative rock, even jazzy in some respects, style to dissonant, driven, and distorted climaxes. iro is a highlight release of theirs that showcases versatility in song structure and dynamics alongside some seriously catchy moments and anthemic choruses. 

Blue Friend - I Will Be Your Blue Friend

If I were to have to show someone a single screamo release from Japan, this might be the one I would choose. Blue Friend garnered international attention rather quickly over their short stint as a band, culminating with the Dog Knight Productions release of their LP I Will be Your Blue Friend and a tour with calculator. It’s an undeniable album. It has all the aggressiveness you would want from a screamo act without sacrificing any palatability. It’s technical, but not in a way that is off-putting, and the more hardcore veiled parts of it still retain a certain beauty about it. It’s also just an all-around splendidly produced record. 

Tetola93 - Tetola93

I have to take a moment to shout out Meat Cube Label for all the good work they’ve done proliferating Japanese music. The Tetola93 self-titled is a product of their hard work and commitment along with a little help from screamo mainstay, Zegema Beach Records. This album’s production is a bit more challenging compared to something like I Will be Your blue Friend, almost like paralleling crust punk. It’s out-there, gritty and raw, not for the faint of heart. In fact, the album as a whole is not what I would consider the most easily approachable. However, it is by far one of the most interesting bands and albums of the genre and there is experimentation present that elevates it far above your average listen. Crusty hardcore, emotive noise, and metallic skramz all collide creating a truly one-of-a-kind musical experience. All over the place while somehow miraculously not losing coherency. 

5000 / Cape Light - Split

For the more traditional screamo fan, this one is for you. 5000 and Cape Light both existed during the same timeline in Tokyo, frequently playing shows together, and of course, inevitably releasing their split tape together. 5000 play a frantic, chaotic style that exudes a strong sense of desperation and hopelessness, regardless of if you understand Japanese. In between the catchier, pluckier moments is sheer mayhem. Cape Light are equally as distorted, though comparatively, have a more calculated, technical sound to them and a fittingly blown-out production. Their songs are rapidly shifting and frequently culminate in explosive over-the-top moments. An absolute must listen for fans of old school and first wave screamo. 

role - Heretics

As corny as it may sound, there is something deeply “epic” and “profound” sounding about role’s music. Of all the bands on this list, they probably play the most progressive take on screamo. It’s a very tasteful and natural blend of post rock and emotive hardcore that really has a way of lingering with you. Heretics' album art is gorgeous, featuring a strange, black goat like animal amidst a snowdrift and forest, and honest to god, listening to it you can’t help but be transported to that location. A beautiful, highly emotional and evocative album.