Klonns – Crow EP
The New Wave of Japanese Hardcore. 𓄿
Following on from a number of EPs and splits since 2016, Tokyo’s Klonns continue their onslaught of blisteringly raw, ferocious and tension-building sound and ideas. Priding themselves as the New Wave of Japanese Hardcore (NWOJHC), there are obvious regional influences in their style.
This new EP features four breakneck one word titled songs, blazing in your brain with cut throat vocals, riotous riffs and a relentless rhythm section behind it all. I’ve been following Klonns for quite a while now, and I always thought of them as more of a crust influenced band, and to a degree they’re still wearing the rags of Abraham Cross and the wall shaking noise of Gloom on their sleeve, but Crow adds a lot more classic Japanese Hardcore gusto to their sound. This is especially evident in the second track “Blaze” as it rages like a wildfire and fills that special place in my heart in the same way as Bastard or Lip Cream. In my opinion, Crow is the most concise and impactful Klonns EP to date and they fully deserve the NWOJHC badge with this release. It’s no surprise why a seminal US label like Iron Lung is paying attention to the band.
Klonns are one of the most promising and active bands coming out of Japan now, combining the explosive hardcore sound of the undisputed classics with the kind of raw emotions that make things as shocking and exciting as pissing on an electric fence. Turn it up and enjoy the pain!
