鏡 Kagami – Self-Titled EP
Fast and energetic homage to early '80s hardcore punk, delivering seven short tracks with powerful Japanese vocals.
It’s no secret that some of the best hardcore punk comes from Japan, and I was immediately hooked on Tokyo’s 鏡 Kagami’s six-track demo tape, which I wrote about back in 2022. Their formula was simple but effective: playing early Dischord and Flex Your Head compilation-style hardcore, even covering Government Issue. It was just perfect, especially since I’ve been getting super bored with all the tough-guy metallic hardcore bands lately, and the Japanese vocals really sealed the deal for me.
With 鏡 Kagami’s self-titled EP, released in August 2024, the band continues their excellent homage to the days of yore, presenting seven new tracks that will be loved by anyone who cares about old-time hardcore. In the classic tradition of early ’80s USHC, the tracks are short and energetic, with only two songs barely breaking the one-minute mark. The awesome Japanese vocals of singer Teru are once again what really sets this apart from all the US and European hardcore we’re used to hearing on our record players. To make a clever reviewer’s punchline, I’ll say that 鏡 Kagami walk the fine line between classic bands like Koro (US) and Kuro (Japan). The lyrics avoid clichés and don’t shy away from addressing topics like the current genocidal carnage in Gaza, as evident in songs like “¡Viva La Palestina!”
This is truly a short, fast, and moving EP—just the kind of thing we love to write about at DIY Conspiracy. It was released as a collaboration between small punk labels from the US, Japan, the UK, and Chile, so it’s available worldwide. There’s no excuse not to check it out!
