Re:O’s ninth single, “Crimson Desire,” released just last week, is a ferocious dive into the band’s evolving Japancore sound, melding J-pop’s melodic sheen with the raw aggression of industrial groove metal.
Led by Japanese-British vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Rio Suyama, the London-based quartet delivers a track that’s both a sonic juggernaut and a visceral exploration of insatiable ambition, making it a standout in their growing discography. From the opening, “Crimson Desire” grabs you with gnarled, distortion-heavy guitar riffs that evoke Static-X’s industrial edge, underpinned by a relentless bassline from James Wright and Jon Roberts’ pounding drums.
Unlike Re:O’s earlier symphonic tracks like “Ronin” or “Violets,” this single dials back the glitchy J-pop synths in favour of raw, chaotic energy, with sparse electronic flourishes accentuating the metalcore backbone. Suyama’s vocals are a revelation—sweet and euphonic in the verses, they shift into a fierce, controlled intensity in the choruses, balancing the track’s rancour with a haunting calm.
The breakdown, which can be compared to Machine Head’s finest moments, is a cataclysmic highlight, twisting listeners into knots with its searing momentum. At 3:27, the song is concise yet unrelenting, leaving no room for filler.
Lyrically, “Crimson Desire” uses vampirism as a vivid metaphor for the unending hunger for more—more success, more achievement—despite life’s sacrifices. Lines about “hearts on fire” and an unquenchable thirst capture the frustration of chasing ambition, delivered with a clarity that avoids melodrama. The lyrics, paired with Suyama’s dynamic delivery, convey a calculated resolve rather than an emotional outburst, making the track resonate as both personal and universal.
The production, while polished, retains a live-wire energy, reflecting Re:O’s reputation for electrifying performances at venues like London’s Fiddler’s Elbow and Anime Con. The lyric video, with its blood-drenched imagery, amplifies the song’s dark edge, tying it to the band’s thematic arc of their recent four-song series. Compared to their earlier work, “Crimson Desire” leans harder into metal, drawing parallels to Björk’s Army of Me era and Atari Teenage Riot’s chaotic energy, yet it remains distinctly Re:O with its fusion of Japanese and Western influences.
With buzz from BBC Radio 1 and BBC Introducing Oxfordshire, “Crimson Desire” cements Re:O as a formidable force in the alternative metal scene. It’s a track for those craving escapism through scorched synapses—perfect for fans of metalcore, industrial, or J-pop with a dark twist. Stream it on Spotify below.
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