The buzz surrounding metal idols Babymetal and the success of metalcore act Crossfaith has brought more attention to Japan¡¯s heavy-music scene. Nagoya-based post-hardcore band Coldrain has been quick to take advantage of this with an EP titled ¡°Until the End¡± ¡ª a six-song release that comes on the back of an international version of the LP ¡°Revelation,¡± which was released in Japan a year ago.

¡°Until the End¡± demonstrates more maturity and experimentation than the band¡¯s three previous albums (including ¡°Revelation¡°) and two EPs, and shows the band is heading in an interesting direction. This may be in large part due to vocalist Masato Hayakawa¡¯s active involvement in the musical composition of the tracks, not just writing the lyrics. Opener ¡°Aware and Awake¡± is a melodic powerhouse that highlights one of Coldrain¡¯s strengths: Hayakawa¡¯s emotional vocals, which alternate between growls and screams with ease. The vocals are also a highlight on ¡°You Lie,¡± an earworm-inducing track that features poplike choruses and venomous lyrics: ¡°You lie, you lie so much that you don¡¯t know anymore.¡± The drums are heavy on ¡°Evolve,¡± which rips straight into a battering of guitar and bass, matched only by the onslaught of Hayakwa¡¯s voice.

¡°March On¡± ends up being the one weak point on an otherwise impressive EP. Having it placed between the incredibly catchy ¡°You Lie¡± and the well-balanced ¡°Fade Away¡± probably doesn¡¯t do it any favors. Hayakawa doesn¡¯t have the widest vocal range, and while he¡¯s in fine form on ¡°Aware and Awake,¡± ¡°March On¡± seems just outside his comfort zone. It¡¯s not until two-thirds of the way into the song that he¡¯s finally in his element ¡ª but by that time it¡¯s a bit too late.

¡°House of Cards¡± is as close to a ballad as the band has ever come. With its melancholic piano-scattered melody, it ends up as a surprisingly satisfying finish to the whole EP.

The only real sticking point with this otherwise stellar EP is that five of the six songs ¡ª all but ¡°House of Cards¡± ¡ª are taken from the international release of ¡°The Revelation,¡± repackaged and resold as leftovers to the Japanese fan base. In today¡¯s digital market, this approach doesn¡¯t make much sense.