Review by Kayla Hamilton (@kaylazomboid)

BREAKDOWN FEST VOL.3
Earthdom, Shin Okubo, Tokyo
August 23rd 2024

In its third volume and taking place at Earthdom in the heart of Shin Okubo, Breakdown Fest Vol. 3 was probably the most slept on event of the year. Not only was the lineup stacked, but the venue was also exceptional and the vibes immaculate.

When I say slept on, I meant that it went so much harder than I expected. Possibly due to the early start time and some punters still being at work since it was a Friday, the first band Sightbacks did not have a huge audience. That did not stop them from delivering an energetic and furious set. This band represents solidly the new wave of Japanese metalcore. The Paledusk influence on these young acts is super prevalent, giving us bands that are heavy on the digital samples, crazy in energy, aggressive in vocal delivery and uncompromising on melody. Along with bringing in some of the best guitar licks I’ve heard in this style of metalcore, Sightbacks put on a show like they were playing to 10,000 people. From the second their set started they were on. Their frontman growling and barking, snapping at the crowd and telling them to move. While he did not always get the reaction he wanted, he in turn kept up the energy for everybody in the room. The fact these guys were the openers was proof of how stacked the line-up was, because their set became a high standard to top.

After the impressive display from Sightbacks, Bloom in the Crevasse were the next cab off the rank. Dressed in hoodies, I was sweating just looking at them since this Tokyo summer is no joke, but it appeared to have no hampering on just how well this band could throw down. Leaning more into a darker more deathcore sphere with melodic riffs, this band’s music crashed over you like a wave of sound. Gang vocals galore and some nasty gutturals from their frontman Asano, they were exciting to witness. Just when you thought their delivery couldn’t get any better, they invited the singer from Inklxsha onto the stage to perform. Together with some impressive back leans, the two vocalists ripped the room apart.

Without leaving too much time between dances, it was Hailrose up next. If I mentioned the Paledusk influence on Sightbacks, it maybe even more evident with this band. Not to say they did not have an original sound; it is more that new sound of Japanese metalcore truly is heading in this direction. As aggressive as their delivery was, Hailrose was as equally fun. Their guitarist with a constant smile and their vocalist really the giving the crowd his all, this band is one to watch. The four-piece really embodied the hardcore side of metalcore but kept it within the typical metalcore framework. Layers and textures to their sound, it was unpredictable and the energy in the room lifted to a new height. As the crowd started to build too, people started throwing down in the pit. Relentless from start to finish, Hailrose left quite the impression on the crowd.

It was then time for the guests of honour, all the way from Manila and the reason I was there that day, FRAGMENTS. Unfortunately, due to circumstances, the full band could not make it over, so members of the Tokyo based band TheoJP stepped up to help them out. You wouldn’t have even thought that these musicians did not play regularly together, because the sound was tight from the jump. Frontman Niko and drummer Matt had only arrived in the country that morning, so despite the exhaustion they put a hell of a performance. Opening with the catchy ‘Rat Race’, the crowd was quickly entranced. Even if the majority of those in attendance were not familiar with Fragments, they quickly warmed to them. The proggy riffs and groove heavy rhythm section was hypnotising, while the breakdowns went hard. Niko’s vocals were a constant stream of controlled aggression, technical in a way you may miss if you had only just listened to them on recordings. Despite being hit with a myriad of issues that could make it difficult to put on their best performance, the band did not disappoint. In fact, they even exceeded expectations. A brilliant start to their three-day run-in Japan.

Backing them up was Inklxsha and let me just say this. It’s rare that I say that when a band finishes a set that I wish somebody was crowd killing, because holy crap- these guys were nuts. Their singer was like the love child of Matt Honeycutt and Ryo Kinoshita, giving us that hardcore styling with deathcore projection and range. Mean, gritty and fierce- I wanted to see more spin kicking, more violence than what that pit delivered. Even their bass player felt the same, entering the pit to mean mug people into action. Despite the lack of energy on the crowd’s part, their style of combining beatdown elements with metalcore grooves won me over completely. Immediately on my list of bands I need to check out when I return to Tokyo.

Headlining the show and clearly an audience favourite, Given By The Flames were up next. Their brooding looks, long hair and bordering on theatrical entrance was a little at odds with the rest of the acts of the day, but that did not seem to be an issue at all. In what could be described as gothic infused deathcore, there was no denying their state presence. Headbanging into oblivion and jumping on command, there was no hesitation when it came to crowd participation. Witnessing their impact on those in attendance was something special and it is easy to see why they have been able to land international support slots. It ultimately was the right ending to the night.

When it comes to taibans (multiband lives) and different small festivals that I’ve been to, Breakdown Fest had an energy about it that was both casual and professional. Extremely well run without any obvious technical difficulties, but a mood in the room that felt close and friendly- I do hope this is not the only volume of this festival that I will ever attend.