I feel like I’ve been living under a rock when bands like Paledusk cross my radar. The Fukuoka, Japan based metalcore crew have been playing music since 2015, and have shared the stage with the likes of While She Sleeps, Counterparts, Make Them Suffer, Polaris, and The Amity Affliction. They’re presently supporting Alpha Wolf on their “Fault Across Asia” tour.
The recent release of “9 SMILES” was my introduction to Paledusk. The band’s newest single, mixed and mastered by Lance Prenc (Alpha Wolf, Gravemind, Daybreak), was a crash course into their relatively unique sound. Paledusk offer something incredibly refreshing in a genre that has a tendency to feel limited at times. There’s no such limits felt with Paledusk’s music, as they add a neon technological static edge to the existing/familiar strengths of metalcore. “9 SMILES”‘s music video by THINGS. (Takasuke Kato) brilliantly reflects the same, where the expected “guys playing instruments” music video approach has been enhanced and manipulated to the extreme. The result is an altered reality which is captivating, and something I also figured was well worth sharing via Depth!
“I don’t care if they see me as a liar”
“Because I am me” roars from Paledusk’s vocalist, acting like a stamp of individuality and further reinforcement of the band’s desire to create in a different way. Electro beats, wavery pulses, and altered vocals are just as at home here as fierce riffs and slick beats. Though English lyrics are not the band’s forte, it seems irrelevant when there’s so much fire behind every line; delivering a palpable force of owning the brilliance of who you are.
The punishing track hits home with wildness that’s infectious and exciting. “9 SMILES”‘ breakdowns and colour are hooking, and Paledusk make this chaos seem effortless. The band show their ease with melody and singing too, throwing in something of a ‘chorus’ into the mix. The band are clearly talented musicians and it’s worth taking time with their music, including the VARIED three track EP which reinforces the impressive scope of sound that these guys have.
Watch “9 SMILES” below via YouTube and follow Paledusk on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/Paledusk/
