Hardcore
Intention – Brand New Story
At first, I assumed Intention was an American band trying to replicate the iconic Japanese hardcore sound. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Intention is actually from Japan, with roots in the scenes of Nagoya and Mie, and features members of the powerful band Confront. Intention’s debut, Brand New Story, released in 2023, is […]
The post Intention – Brand New Story first appeared on DIY Conspiracy – International Zine in the Spirit of DIY Hardcore Punk!
Artist: Intention
Title: Brand New Story
Release: LP / Digital
Year: 2023
Label: Beach Impediment Records
At first, I assumed Intention was an American band trying to replicate the iconic Japanese hardcore sound. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Intention is actually from Japan, with roots in the scenes of Nagoya and Mie, and features members of the powerful band Confront.
Intention’s debut, Brand New Story, released in 2023, is a brief yet powerful journey, delivering seven tracks in barely over sixteen minutes. It stands out as a brilliant display of diverse and energetic punk music that brings back the classic Japanese “Burning Spirits” hardcore style, known for its distinct blend of furious vocal delivery, thrashing ferocity and blazing guitar solos.
The album kicks off fiercely with “Break a Spell,” an exceptional opener that packs a punch with its solid, adrenaline-pumping rhythms, engaging solos, and vocals that burn with intensity. It’s everything great about the genre packed into a song that doesn’t even hit the three-minute mark. The band keeps the throttle wide open on belters like “Intention” and “Nasty Pest,” melding influences from legends like Poison Idea, Motörhead, and Death Side in a way that’s downright explosive. They’ve got that D.S.B. vibe from the ’90s, but cranked up and polished for a new era.
The standout track, “未知なる旅路” (Unknown Journey), delivers a more interesting and old school approach to songwriting with anthemic vocals that hark back to the glory days of Japanese punk. My top picks, “Mad City and Control” and “Not a Slave,” however, throw down the gauntlet with full-throttle speed and intensity, a testament to the album’s outstanding production, yet still packed with raw energy and uncompromising attitude. The album concludes with its title track, “Brand New Story,” ending on a high note with more impressive riffs and blood-curdling solos.
The artwork of a katana-wielding punk rocker, crafted by the unrivaled genius of Sugi, Japan’s most iconic hardcore punk illustrator, adds another layer of visual depth and impact to this fantastic album. All around, Brand New Story is a no-holds-barred Japanese hardcore punk masterpiece of 2023. The album was released on vinyl through Beach Impediment in the States and on CD through the Japanese label Break The Records.
P.S. If any European readers would like to sell me Confront’s Trace ～ Early Years Selection LP from 2014, please reach out! It’s hard to find without paying expensive shipping and customs from Japan or the US.
Source: diyconspiracy.net
