From the moment the first glitching synth pierces through the silence, Berkshire-based Re:O ensnares listeners in the thrall of their latest single, ‘Marionette.’ The Anglo-Japanese alternative metal outfit has rapidly built a reputation for what fans call “Japancore”—a seamless, high-octane collision of crushing Western metalcore and dramatic, cinematic J-pop melodies. With ‘Marionette,’ the band doesn’t just lean into this signature duality; they weaponize it, delivering a masterclass in controlled chaos that feels simultaneously calculated and feral.
Frontwoman Rio Suyama’s vocal delivery is the anchor that prevents Re:O’s chaotic instrumentation from collapsing. She effortlessly shifts between a soft, airy, and ethereal delivery in the verses to a poised, soaring rock belt in the hooks. It gives their music an unsettling, narrative quality—as if she is calmly commanding the sonic storm swirling around her.
With its relentless drive and dark, cyberpunk atmosphere, “Marionette” solidifies Re:O as one of the most exciting, innovative boundary-pushers in heavy music today. It’s a beautifully chaotic ride that hooks you from the start and refuses to let go, proving that the “Japancore” movement is very real, and very much here to stay.
Upcoming Shows:
28 June- The Fleece, Bristol (Everywhere At Once Festival)
4 July- Signature Brew, Haggerston (New Rock City Festival)
30 August- The Flapper, Birmingham (Edowave)
12 September- The Hobbit, Southampton (Other Worlds Festival)
14 November- Firebug, Leicester
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