NEMOPHILA - EVOLVE

NEMOPHILA - EVOLVE




Japanese metallers Nemophila are back at it with their third full-length Evolve. The ladies don’t fit into any box as they are a mish-mash of metalcore, rock, nu-metal, early 2000’s rock, j-rock, and power metal with shredding solos. They are not afraid to take chances and write off-the-wall songs and it’s made for entertaining, although uneven records. On Evolve, the songwriting finally reaches a steadier ship with tighter compositions that are still fresh and brave.

Evolve leads with the spunky go-getter singer Mayu and she has found the right balance of using her tough scratchy vocals along with her bright, clean singing voice. She is on point throughout the record – just check out the vicious rapping sequence (no, I promise it’s not bad!) on the strange, folky, tribal, but danceable “Ama-Te-Ras”.

Nemphila also must be sensing a growing international market as more of the lyrics are in English although the majority is still in Japanese. There’s also more distinct electronic influence in the songs like the rapid, aggressive opener “Evolve” – a barn burner of a track and the dance pop infused “Night Flight”.