Kōya are a post-hardcore band from Denmark and this is their debut album.
Pendula consists of 38 minutes of material that is impressively wrought, especially for a first record. Kōya bring a few different influences together well, and the result is an album as devastating as it is well-rendered.
Kōya’s style blends together elements of sludge and post-metal into an overarching post-hardcore framework. Add in some blackened influences, and you have a formula that works well for the band.
Within the storm of fury that Kōya create, they also craft intense atmosphere. It’s all powered by an emotive base, which underpins the music’s vibrant aggression and dynamic implementation.
The songs are well-written. Kōya understand how to channel dark aggression into a range of different shapes and forms. Tracks like Ruiner focus on streamlined hostility, yet still retain hooks, while cuts like Storm Before the Calm are far more mood-based in structure. Glass Mind takes the atmospheric aspect of Kōya to its logical conclusion, (to great effect), whereas Grave incorporates post-metal build/release mechanics directly into its hardcore assault.
Performance-wise it’s strong across the board. The vocals deserve a special mention though. They are very capably performed, and go beyond simple shouts and screams. They work with the music organically to enhance and enrich the rest of the band’s maelstrom of darkness.
Kōya have made a notable impression. Whether you want a shock assault of speed and ferocity, scathing pit-friendly heaviness, grim apocalyptic worldbuilding, or simply crushing distortion to drown in, Pendula is the record for you.
Pendula offers up a tightly controlled vision of sludgy hardcore extremity. Kōya’s music is impressive, enjoyable, and has staying power. Pendula hopefully promises a bright future for this band.
Very highly recommended indeed.
Fans of acts like the following need to pay attention to Kōya – All Pigs Must Die, Amenra, Conjurer, Hexis, LLNN, Nails, Rorcal, etc.
Wonderbox Metal 