Naiad

 Naiad were a five-piece metalcore band from Kyoto, Japan that were around from 2001 to 2006. The band's output was minimal, with just a demo and their 2003 EP Hardcore Emotion being their most definitive release, which is a severely underrated genre-bending masterpiece, with elements of ambient post-rock, intense, searing vocals and off-kilter metallic riffs a la Shai Hulud or 7 Angels 7 Plagues, and melodic, melancholic emo in the vein of Grade or Christie Front Drive, all packed into an incredible 22-minute runtime. This is an incredible release that I wish I had found sooner, so implore you to give it a listen as well for its sheer uniqueness and visceral impact. Members of this band are also now active in .islea. if you want to check them out too. Enjoy.

Demo (2001)

1. Lost & Noticed

2. ☆☆☆☆☆

Hardcore Emotion (2003)

1. Sensuous Tree

2. Believing Dreams

3. Waves Of Influence Strike Within What Truly Moves You

4. Song Of Nature

5. Hopeless Progress

Spotify

Apple Music

By The End Of Summer

By The End Of Summer are a four-piece emo/punk band from Kyoto, Japan that formed in 2013. They play a bright and energetic style of midwest emo that occasionally interpolates twinkly math rock riffs into it. Along with the slightly out of key vocals, they do remind me of a slightly punchier Cap'n Jazz, though still distinctly unique from them. Laughing in particular is an absolutely fantastic EP that evokes a sense of nostalgia while still being a fun listen. I hope we get more material from this band in the future, because their small discography up to this point is incredible and highly recommended. Enjoy.

The Summer Field (2014)

1. He Forgot How To Run

2. Sunlight And The Summer Field

sunlight e.p. (2016)

1. He Forgot How To Run (2015 Remake)

Laughing e.p. (2017)

1. Phony

2. Even Now

3. He Forgot How To Run

4. Buzz Lightyear

Four Pitfalls #2 (2019)

1. By The End Of Summer - Battery

2. Turning Center - Reversal

3. Sinker - Sleepless

4. Slugger Machine - Origin

Bandcamp

Spotify

Apple Music

Instagram