Behind all the high tech, temples and vibrant nightlife illuminated by the neon lights or the sizzling summer heat during the day, Tokyo Japan offers up a multitude of various tourist attractions. Not only is it the largest and safest mega city in the world, it leads in other ways other than infrastructure design. Because Tokyo offers a wide and vibrant music variety as well. At the heart of the punk and hardcore scene formed the band DATE BACK TO DAWN by both “Taka” and “Knob” back in 2017. These two musicians who were in previous bands within Finland prior, would then come together to create their own personal fusion of melodic hardcore. With elements of groove and punk that are often coated in progressive melodies that are paired with fast catchy riffs that coat some various other tonalities. 

For a newer band hailing from the capital city of Japan, DATE BACK TO DAWN is making their stand as they showcase their novel of musical taste with their Debut full-length album “Reminiscence”. Released under Sleazy Rider on May 3, 2024, this album has eight solid tracks of melodic hardcore that will leave you reminiscing of the old emo screamo days for roughly 33:15 minutes. With so many elements blending together to formulate their take on melodic hardcore, will this album build the hype they need to show the world they aren’t going anywhere? Let's dive in and see. 

As always, I like to dive into album art first. At first glance I enjoy the color palette chosen with soft moss like colors. With a green hued yellow that bleeds into a teal like color at the bottom which formulates the main design of the album artwork. This abstract design sits in the foreground above a deeper teal-like colored background with candles on either side. A light gray geometric design sits just below the main design as well adding even more depth. The band's logo and album name sit bottom center in white. Decent design as it is quite unique in the artwork. I always enjoy looking closer at album art as it can tell you a lot about the overall theme of an album and the concepts of a band in general. Sometimes a good tease as to what's in store for you.

“Stay Alive” has a good start with some progressive melodic riffs that punches through the heavier low tuned guitar and dynamic possible pack tracks or synth like beat. A great start to the album with an alternative tone fused with a heavy hardcore beat that coats a slight melodic death feel. I'm also impressed with the overall mix and production value so far. This track has a good pace and races into a solid breakdown as well. During this break down with some solid slam riffs, clean vocals harmonize overtop of the harsher sporadic screams. “Your Destiny” has a solid start with heavy slam riffs that break into an alternative rock feel before picking up into some really well played progressive chord progressions that just shreds beneath the overall tone. I can hear elements of “MUDVAYNE” and “MUSHROOMHEAD”  to name a few so far as I listen through the album. 

 Between some of the groove undertones that build into this melodic chord progression that often reminds me of hybridisation of nu metal, and alternative rock. But then you have the slam riffs that break way into some serious progressive riffs which seem to build into a hardcore tone. This album seems to be all over the place in musical influences, but in a good way and is mixed pretty decently as well. All the levels seem to be in somewhat the right places and allows for their musical influences to flow together to formulate this avant garde melodic hardcore that's tinged with djent and nu metal. The concepts sound somewhat complex but these guys execute it well. To close off the album we have the track “Reminiscence” which starts with a tone that will remind you of mid 90’s pop punk or alternative rock. Nice punk feel with some progressive chord progressions that sit nicely below some clean vocals. It's interesting to me as it progresses in aggression as the harsh vocals break in before switching back to that old school punk tone. Dare I say, this track reminds me of “LAGWAGON” in some parts.

So as someone who does not listen to this style of music personally, I can respect what these guys do. It's not easy to blend so many musical influences, time switches and tones together. These guys do just that and do so well. These guys I can see are here to stay and with their album “Reminiscence” have made that statement quite clear. Having so much to offer with their sound, they have the ability to cater to a wide ranged audience. In Tokyo, this band has nothing but potential to not only thrive but to break into the world market. They say they are melodic hardcore, but it's just so much more than that. For those who like the old emo days, or simply old school punk of the mid to late 90’s and even early 2000’s, or elements of nu metal, a bit of death and a lot of hardcore. This one’s for you. Go out, get a copy and try it out for yourself. You might be surprised.