Kakihara have been ever present across the UK since their inception as their attitude towards their music is infectious as they project such positivity in their violence. You will be charmed by their brutal transmission as it bellows like Fit For An Autopsy and cuts with the angular ferocity of Converge. Sprinkle the personality of Every Time I Die and you have a beast capable of levelling any stage (or floor) the earth can provide.
Hailing from Edinburgh and released by Ripcord Records, Love Songs Part II get 9 minutes of manic metallic hardcore where the samples are worth the price of admission alone. The guitars writhe and worm like an angry rattlesnake between the vocals of Keith Muddimen who flicks between howl and shriek over the beefy chugs and frantic drumming. Although breakdowns are plenty the self coined ‘Big Stupid Beatdoons’ is accurate and more than just a gimmick, it is a philosophy which is carried with heart and sincerity throughout the intensity.
“Infectious grooves and character bring it to life above the music to project the personality of Kakihara into more than just another hardcore band”
Infectious grooves and character bring it to life above the music to project the personality of Kakihara into more than just another hardcore band. The living room production is impressive as every depth the record hits is felt. Drums feel crisp and guitars are intense and induce a little bit of panic in all the ways a mathcore influenced band sound should. The gutturals in the vocals are a particular highlight on ‘Nothing Else To Say’ and ‘Death Grip’ as they match the filth the band sinks too.
It what seems to emblematic of Scottish resilience and personality is the optimism amongst the seemingly hopeless as only they could write 9 minutes of love themed metallic hardcore and make it work. The message is heartfelt and it details its context very effectively with samples which speak a thousand words in ‘Nothing Else To Say’ to the call of hope in ‘Its Going To Be Okay’ Kakihara are an injection of pure charisma into the metallic hardcore scene and they are due some recognition. Let these Scottish hunks charm you as they deliver a love sermon you must experience across the UK in early 2026.