While PassCode has been busy with a string of singles, anime openings, and two EPs, the group hasn’t released a full-length album since December 2020’s Strive. It was after said album that vocalist/screamer Yuna Imada left and was replaced by former Ladybaby vocalist/screamer Emily Arima. Therefore, Insignia is the first full-length with Arima as head of the growling department. While devoted PassCode fans will find Insignia somewhat short on new material (6 of the 12 songs are ‘brand new’), it’s nonetheless a shining example of what the group can do circa 2025 and an excellent jump-in point for anyone who has yet to experience their particular brand of alt-idol metallic madness.
From the perspective of the uninitiated, PassCode operates on a premise that hits both metallic and notably non-metallic sounds and all but smashes them together. Featuring harsh screams and driving, upbeat metalcore-inspired riffage and occasional barrages of drumwork, the group hit some remarkably heavy territory. But they meld that together with notes of equally heavy EDM beats and catchy jpop/idol infusions (including some heavily vocoder-processed clean singing from four vocalists). It creates a sound in which the listener is frequently given the choice of headbanging or dancing, but one thing is for certain, it’s usually quite intense in its execution. Take “Mirage Walker,” for instance. It opens with harsh screams and downtuned riffing, as well as a few light gang vocals. Melodic guitar leads, with some Gothenburg inspirations pepper the cut at times as well, as well as some galloping thrash riffs. But then the EDM beats kick in and send the song into overdrive, pulsating with electronics laced into the riffing, with only a few breaks where the instruments fade out to give way to the four vocalists and electronics.
Some songs take things in a more playful direction than a direct assault such as “Mirage Walker,” like the dance floor ready “Viriviri.” With electronics seemingly fit for a rave, and having the riffs intertwine themselves into those movements, it creates a catchy, pop-ridden atmosphere but without coming on too strongly with it. Instead the cut feels inviting and exotic, given the back and forth between the upbeat singing and escalations that bring the track into sounding like an electronic buzzsaw is about to go off while being accompanied by Arima’s visceral screams. Probably the most interesting cut of the mix is that of “A Certain Motor-Heart Is Not Working Right.” It has the PassCode hallmarks with it’s futuristic electronics and groovy metallic underpinings, but it also feels a bit more experimental for the group. Some breakouts into almost hip-hop inspired vocal sequences and swirling beats eventually lead into some compellling anguished screams and melodies. It’s climax occurs after a brief melodeath-esque guitar melody as Nao Minami, Kaede Takashima, and Hinako Ogami begin a series of chanted “la la la’s” while Arima seems to painfully scream into the void in a fascinating back and forth.
There are also some moments where the group features more of a melodic touch, such as the SHY anime opening “Willshine.” There’s a more melodic and rock-based feeling, with a sugary and decadent pop chorus that allows all four members a bit more of a spotlight upfront. Add in the vibrant guitar melodies and it’s more of a cheery number. Until a later breakdown with growled vocals and more boisterous riffing that is. Later cut “Echoes” captures much of this same landscape but in a more atmospheric and give it just a drip of melancholy to perfect it. While it’s catchy, and the one song devoid of screaming, it feels like a fantastic closing live song in the making with it’s enormous sounding chorus. It also gives listeners a chance to catch their breath from the snarling and visceral pounding of live-favorite “Flavor of Blue,” which basks in throbbing EDM trappings and massive riffs to match a soaring chorus.
Admittedly, PassCode isn’t a group for everyone. There’s a lot of deviation from the ‘metal norms,’ such as the vocoder clean vocals, heavy use of electronics, modern metalcore breakdowns, and infusion of jpop/idol culture with four vocalists as the face of the group. But if the curious want to check out only one track to give them a shot, “Skillawake” seems to be the one for this album (“Groundswell” a close second). It has all of the elements of PassCode on full display, from their most melodic and catchy to urgent metallic sparks of fury. Check out the punchy breakdown led by Arima’s lows and accompanied clean singing, the jovial synthesizer beats, soaring power metal-inspired melodies and riffs, and flatout fun energy. It’s sure to win a few over at least.
As a new era of PassCode given their signing to MoooD Records last year, there’s never been a better time to check out of of Japan’s most intriguing and endearing alt idol acts. Insignia features all of PassCode’s finest features and cranks them up to 11, while attempting to expand some sonic boundaries. The result is an incredibly infectious and ear-worming album that grabs you by the throat and begs for you to get involved with it’s seemingly endless energy. Be that whipping up a flurry of dance moves, headbanging, or both, it’s bound to leave you with a smile on your face with it’s unabashed ability to genre-blur.