End Of A Year & Segwei - Split EP

End Of A Year are not really the kind of band to brag about getting signed, but they got added to Deathwish's roster earlier this year. This split isn't released on the American hardcore label though, but on Japan's Alliance Trax, where come from Segwei. Alliance Trax already attracted my attention last year as they were the ones to put out the three-way split bridging oceans between Seattle's Sinking Ships (R.I.P.) and Japanese hardcore formations My Love (with ex-Endzweck) and As We Let Go, two bands I recommand to hardcore fans.

End Of A Year provides three tracks of their Revolution Summer's emotional hardcore (their name refers to an Embrace song) while Segwei chose to include two longer tracks. End Of A Year's blend of punk, hardcore and 90's emo is still as exciting. Proof of the wide appeal of their music is the unbelievable list of bands they shared a split with, from the hardcore punkers of Shook Ones to Portuguese screamo formation Adorno. 'Sensitive leopard' is a very quiet and subtle song only featuring guitar notes, spoken-word telling a heartbreaking story and bells coming at the end to light up the song. They haven't lost their humor either, whether it be in their lyrics ('Gary Evans') or their song titles still taken from real people (here, American actor Charles Rocket and previously quoted serial killer Gary Evans). The singer's voice is surprisingly different though, even more cracked than before and sounds almost subdued. It's not necessarily bad and fits actually quite well with their music's sobriety but it struck me at the first listen.
Segwei's songs are more energetic, emphasizing on their singer's heartfelt vocals, between spoken and screamed. The lyrics are in English but the accent is very good. Their compositions aren't necessarily chaotic and the singing wouldn't scare people out of the scene but they still have a pretty and melodic screamo feeling. I would describe it as a mix of Fugazi and their countrymates 1000 Travels Of Jawaharlal. They're worth cheking out.

3.5/5

Recommanded if you like:
Rites Of Spring, Sinaloa, Life At These Speeds
Check also:
Kids Explode, Shokei, Policy Of 3

www.myspace.com/endofayear
www.myspace.com/segwei
(Alliance Trax, 2009)