What a fabulous lineup on this collaborative release. Tokyo’s ilill and 5000 team up with rûth and istilah from Singapore. Since it’s impossible to dwell on every single track on the split, I’m going to keep things short. Asian screamo rules the game with its fresh and exciting bands. All those amazing projects, which are featured on the split CD were formed quite recently and cover the whole sound palette from violent and chaotic to melodic and groovy - what could your emo heart desire more? The liaison between those four bands is home of nine incredible songs, each and everyone of them is fun listening to, sending you to a state of joy and ecstasy.

Thanks to Miss the Stars I discovered this premium post-hardcore inspired, emo / screamo band from Sweden. I was totally blown away after I had checked their song, the prince, which was streamed on Alex’ blog. The sound of the song is super melodic and features some really great background vocals, which are perfectly combined with the screamed ones. The EP contains just one further track, which sucks a lot because both songs leave you wanting for more. As the band just returned back home from their tour through Poland, we absolutely recommend you to give them a listen. You won’t regret it.

„Blood ties, ties our floods together. But I am, alone out at sea Abandoned by my shattered family. Crashing like waves, all over me.“

There’s a new wave of amazing emoviolence bands from the UK coming in. Cady is one of those. Their latest musical output is called ‚Isle Of Flowers‘ and contains four heavy tracks, full of darkness and dense atmosphere. Every single note seems to sound just right, as those soundscapes excels thanks to its furious vocals and wild blast beating drums. The Extended Play, which is strongly recommendable for fans of Cassus, Scared of Everything and Dawn Ray’d, is co-released by Boslevan Records, Cave Of Roses and Wolf Town DIY. It’s screamo as good as it gets combined with a slight hint of metal.

„Throat so lacerated, this damn chest croaks. Heaving patterns like lungs are bleached soaked. Move into the endless, simmering light. ‚I'm never coming back’ - ‚I am Dock Ellis. And I will miss you’."

Solanas are from the UK and were founded back in 2013. The screamo collective from Newcastle consists of Ollie, Eliott and Stef who also is part of Scared Of Everything and replaced the band’s original bassist, Tim, in 2014. Already released in late April, What’s Left To Leave Behind is already their sixths release and features five tracks in total. The music on it can be described as a sweet blend of emo, screamo and post-hardcore, which is wrapped in a sonic garb full of dreamy guitar riffs. Solans definitely set themselves off from the common screamo sound, which is not the worst thing you can say about a band. Thumbs up! Also check out the band’s LP, 'The Distance Within Our Bodies', which was released on vinyl recently.

„I’ll keep my tired eyes closed and hope to dream of love but I’m sleeping less each night and my heart can barely beat, my words have failed, my tongue and my hands have failed my nerves…"

Two years after their neat debut full-length we can finally hear two new songs from the five-headed Bosnian emoviolence group from Banja-Luka. While guitars and rhythm section create a chaotic background full of changes in tempo, the violent vocals are on point. Both songs will be on the band’s upcoming seven song Long Player, which will be released sometime this summer. Deer In The Headlights are definitely one of the most interesting and talented bands from Eastern Europe. If you don’t know them already make sure to give them a listen or check them out at their current tour through Europe.

SiFulan from Singapore are going to release a split record and their new song Darjat can be considered as a teaser for it. While the first half of the track is more violent, characterized by the shredding guitars, the second half is way more melodious and features some catchy riffs. No matter if violent or melodious, at any time, Darjat is a thrilling masterpiece of emotional, aggressive punk music and we’re quite sure, that this song wille be one of the best things you will hear in 2016.

“Sanity gets saturated. Smear the golden red purity. Alas, there lies thy wreath. Disposed off the earth, it bleeds nothing.”

Let’s end this issue with another great screamo band from Eastern Europe. Founded in 2015, Mališa Bahat from North Croatia is Geč doing the vocals, Sanyo playing guitar, Crni on bass and Žmer on drums. Moments We’re Lost In is their first release and contains six well-written songs full of buzzing guitar walls and gut-wrenching vocals, including the song Kids which opens the latest screamo sampler by Miss The Stars (listen here). This band really deserves all the attention it currently gets.

“You are the reason I wake up. You are the reason I won't give up.”

Singapore might be one of the most vibrant cities in terms of punk music and its tremendous output of excellent screamo bands. istilah is definitely another proof for that. Amatos (Sjanse), Shahrin (SiFulan) and Wei Xiang (Pathos) are playing 90s inspired screamo. It’s moving and full of tempo changes and their two-song-demo is entrusted to anybody who’s into well-played and emotional punk. Recently founded, istilah is the latest exciting screamo project from South-East-Asia’s screamo capitol and their demo will be released on cassette very soon.