Review by Kayla Hamilton (@kaylazomboid)

I will be very honest, I was meant to drop this review a while ago. I have been sitting on it though as this EP is something I’m still processing. Approaching it as a pretty standard hardcore release, I found myself presented with something a little deeper- something that with every listen I found a new layer on.

Gruff are a hardcore band from Indonesia who have been kicking around since 2023. Dropping their latest EP The Truth Will Remain back in March- it only came across our radar earlier this month. Too good to not share, here is a breakdown of the release. 

The opening track ‘Buried Into Agony’ gives us an almost stadium metalcore intro, but that doesn’t last long. Quickly it drags us right back to a lights on in the venue floor stage. Channelling some Hatebreedesque hardcore vibes, that opening guitar riff scratches the brain right. A real body moving, slower driving beat provides the vocals a place to be front and centre. Going from the deeper shouts to the more higher pitched yells- the guitars are a key to what is coming. As the track slowly builds, we are hit with a fun interlude that channels almost a break beat, just really showing off the different dynamics that the band is experimenting with.

Of course, it kicks into a heavy as hell section that will have you wanting to spin kick on site but it quickly switches back into that higher pitched yells. Layered with chanting, they really play with different sounds. The unsung hero plugging away is the drummer, giving us a foray of sounds to cling to. While it is undoubtedly a hardcore track- Gruff doesn’t stick to a hardcore song structure. 

Speaking of not sticking to a hardcore song structure, you don’t often find a six-minute track on hardcore EP but Gruff make it work with the next tune ‘A Decision Between Despair’. There is such a unique blend of stripped down, raw sound with a blend of technicality that is almost confusing. The bass in this song really weaves together every section, adding some beefiness to the simple moments.

The vocals in the chorus add another level of harmony, instead using stereotypical gang vocals, they have gone with a more choir of voices- again though, not in the typical metal operatic sense. Right around the 2:30 mark of the track though, it takes you on another journey. Again, they keep it basic- but add in moments of sheer brilliance.

Winding it up is ‘Vengeance and The Final Massacre’ and from the song introduction alone, it is clear that we are being taken a voyage through hardcore experimentation. Another great example of an exploration through sound, while remaining completely grounded in the hardcore sound and style. I’ve mentioned the guitars a few times, but they really do add layers of stylistic experimentation.

What I love about this track, is there is almost a nod to post-hardcore and screamo styles of mid-00’s, but also a call in of death metal and some real beatdown breakdowns. The vocals are raw and passionate as hell. There is also an impending sense of doom woven into this track that carries us out at the end. As much as I don’t want to compare bands, it really does give me a similar vibe to Whispers, with their ‘Bangkok evilcore” moniker. It has that similar sinister undertone, with a call in almost of doom metal tendencies without going full down that rabbit hole.

Ultimately, this is an interesting release and a great first introduction to Gruff. This band is now firmly on our fixtures and I cannot wait to see more from them going forward. Is it the most polished release? No, but they definitely are taking chances with their sound exploration while keeping that hardcore character.

Rating: 8/10

GRUFF- The Truth Will Remain  is out now via SUBMARINE RECORDS.

NOISE ‘N’ VISUALS promotes predominately independant or smaller label signed acts. So if you want to support the growing Asia Pacific heavy music scene, please check out the band’s social media.

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