麥琪麥琪 MakeMake is a Taiwanese metal band that taking some nods from the rising Japanese scene in terms of combining heavy, metalcore-styled riffing and more melodic segments that aren’t afraid of combining some modern electronics at the same time. A notable difference that MakeMake is incorporating is doubling down on the heaviness at times, something that makes for an even greater contrast, and something that should catch the ear of modern metal fans who happen to gravitate in their direction.
We Are One has a distinctly modern sound, and as already mentioned, doesn’t shy away from delivering an aggressive edge. “Rise Up” opens gently with some eerie keys and electronics but doesn’t take long for frantic riffs and Ruby’s snarls to take over the surroundings. While it occasionally swerves into melodic moments (some of which with some slight autotuned vocals) and ear-grabbing guitar leads, there’s a vicious side that persists alongside some futuristic sound effects as well. Similarly, “Toss and Turn” executes some brilliant melodic riffs that merge the electronics and guitarwork together, some brass riffing keeps the balance on the heavier side of things, and when they loosen the reins for some melodic moments, it’s not done in a poppy way – Ruby’s clean vocals and the surrounding instrumentation have a more subtle flair that allows the grooves to continue through.
Even though there’s an emphasis on massive riffs and heaviness, that doesn’t mean that MakeMake doesn’t add in some unique flavors of their own. “Joker” as the name might suggest, has a playful feeling to it – from the vibrant guitar melodies to the tempo changes, it’s a fun track that sticks out for it’s instrumentation, ending on a jack-in-the-box styled finish. “Ruined Home” has one of the strongest melodic moments of the album, with Ruby hitting some excellent clean vocals over the chorus with a sense of yearning behind her. The album closes with “Lost Star,” which has a more energetic and pop-influenced energy to it, and it finds a happy medium with some stabilizing metallic riffs behind it as the synths and melodies shine brightly, only bowing to the heaviness for a potent breakdown moment.
It’s a shame there’s been not much rumbling about MakeMake’s full-length debut. We Are One has been out since March and should have some of the underground buzzing. But that said, their furious combination of punchy riffing and flashy melodies is one that is bound to pick up speed as word gets around. Those looking for something more on the modern end of the metallic spectrum, yet ever mindful of some melodies (and unafraid of tossing in some outside influences) should give MakeMake a shot immediately.