Continuing their string of frequent EPs, Japan’s Gungire is back once again with more angry, groovy music. It’s impressive the sheer volume of output the band is capable of. For those who haven’t yet checked out the act, expect plenty of modern grooves to come your way, often with intense vocals from Nana. But it’s not all vicious, as the band also has a knack for inserting melodies when needed. Something that continues to shine on Outlive.
While there’s only three songs for this outing, all of them hit some different marks. “Till the Grave” as the opener goes right into the band’s sweet spot: massive grooves and aggressive riffing. Nana’s screams hit just as hard, and the song makes a seamless transition into a rather melodic chorus featuring some strong guitar melodies and clean singing. It’s a usual metalcore tactic for sure, but Gungire have a firm grasp on their mechanics and it’s impressively smooth here. “Go Away” moves into more serene and melodic tendencies at some points, but no need to fear ‘Japan’s angriest band’ still brings out the headbangable riffs too. Again, contrast is key, and the atmospheric melodies are just as fascinating as the thunderous riffs. Lastly, it’s vocal duet with Flare Boy joining Nana to trade vocal barbs with a slight hip hop edge, which makes the track feel like it’s dabbling into some nu metal territory. Of the three, it’s certainly the most vibrant in tone as well as the most ‘fun,’ as it’s going to stick in your head after the first listen.
The main word that sums up Gungire is consistency. Outlive maintains the band’s groovy priorities, but at the same time, it’s not afraid to push those boundaries without derailing their aggressive sound. It’s time to stop sleeping on this group if you currently are, and enjoy modern metal or groove metal in the slightest.