WAR BEAR: HACHI MACHI EP REVIEW
- Aug 28
- 4 min read
War Bear is a Metalcore-Hardcore Quartet from Meanjin/Brisbane, formed from several local bands, releasing their first EP Wrecked 'Em in 2023. War Bear have since become pillars of the local scene, creating their own Festival last year, which returns on August 29th (more information below). War Bear is back with their third EP Hachi Machi, released on the 12th of August. No jury could predict, This sick sad twisted son of a bitch, Let’s have true game of Russian roulette, Where every fucking chamber’s
loaded. The title track, Hachi Machi was released as a single on July 14th. Hachi Machi begins with a LA Valley girl accent expressing her desire to be buried in the wet mud before it jumps in the chaotically dance-able beat and lyrical dress-down. Listening to this track I was pulled into the smooth double kicks from Drummer Chris, chugging guitars and crowd interaction style lyrics.
Have I asked for your forgiveness? No. Should I worry if you’ll hear this? No. Do you really think I give a fuck about your goddamn existence?
Just one more drink, At least that’s what I tell myself like it’s a cry for help, But how quick that’s turned to up twelve, we’ve only been in this bitch for an hour,And we’re gunning straight for hell, Yeah! Next up is BUFFALO, the party song of the EP. I was lucky enough to be at the recording of the BUFFALO Music Video and to say that the crowd took on
the energy of the track is an understatement, with circle pits, head banging so hard the barricade was lifting from the ground and general mayhem the crowd understood the assignment. BUFFALO is the epitomy of letting loose on a Friday night with your friends. The track is high energy anarchy from start to finish with no chance for relief. If you want a song to get you pumped up and ready to go, BUFFALO is it. Get up, Get up, Back we go, Do si do, Mother fucker, BUFFALO.
You’re not meant to feel safe, You’re not meant to feel safe, And the nightmare starts the again, A waking dream where everyone looks the
same, And the nightmare starts the again, A waking dream where everyone looks the same. Third track for Hachi Machi is Rathole2Rathole and is in my opinion the most typically "metalcore" of the tracks, with a heavier use of clean vocals and the liberal use of a variety of screaming techniques, over the consistently used vocal fry technique of other tracks. While the lyrics are dependably ferocious in nature, there is a heavy sadness that lingers and flows into the instrumentals. While Rathole2Rathole sounds nothing like Numb by Linkin Park, it holds the same level of despair and longing to be yourself outside of the familial and societal expectations pressed on you. Through the turmoil of the instrumentals a pressing weight nearing depressive
suffocation is present, never offering relief or a solution. I’m finding solace in these open wounds, I’d rather choke than be like you, I’m finding solace in these open wounds, I’d rather choke than be like you, Open wounds, Open wounds.
I won’t even try, To pretend I know how this ends, But I know I will see you again, This life’s little more than a story, So just lay your woes upon me, I’ll be your brace against the winds when you need me to, If given the chance to start again, I’d do it all again for you. Next you will find yourself at the fourth track MISTAKE! While listening to this one I was reminded of my all time favourite War Bear track, 'Don't Be Affraid' as it expresses the same level of emotion in the unwavering support and connection to
Vocalist Ravi's daughter, this time taking form in a vehement display of mental health woes. As much as War Bear are the silly and goofy band who wear cheer leading uniforms, talk about how shit they are and climb on anything as long as it is bolted down, their ability to write heartfelt and meaningful lyrics is a true testament to their capability and prowess as a band. The instrumentals of MISTAKE! thrust the story forward, bringing in the emotion of feeling worthless and unimportant to such a degree that I had full body goosebumps and an overwhelming sense of sadness while listening to the track. My measure, when I’m feeling so low, My meaning, when the walls are all screaming, The pleasure I find in your smile, Will not be forgotten, Once in awhile.
If you or someone you know needs help from self harming thoughts or someone to talk to, Lifeline is available 24 hours either to call on 13 11 14 or via text on 0477 13 11 14.
Every breath, Cyanide, Every drink, Tastes of bleach, Every breath, Cyanide, Every drink, Tastes of bleach. Finally you have the longest track of the EP, at just over four minutes, Oksana, to round out your experience. The instrumentals of Oksana are well thought out, with spotlighting guitar riffs, expert drum fills and cymbal use, with an overall "heavy rock," for want of a better word, overtone. There is one stand out line in particular in regards to the vocals of Oksana, amongst the plethora of techniques. At two minutes and thirty seconds the lyrics "Just dust in light" are accompanied by a gutteral so intense it stopped me in my place and sent shivers down my spine. As someone who has witnessed Ravi talk about how much he dislikes his clean vocals in a live setting, it is great to see him pushing his limits so frequently throughout Hachi Machi. I gave to you, My very best, All that I had left, A magnitude pulls me from you, As dust now falls in light.
All Photos taken and video filmed and edited by Emerge Creative.
War Bear will be performing at their Music Festival SlugFest 2 on August 29th at Greaser Garage in Fortitude Valley. Tickets available at the link:
War Bear will also appear at the charity event, Rock Beats Depression on September 12th at Mansfield Tavern. Tickets available at the link, kids under 12 are free:
War Bear has previously appeared in our 15 Queensland bands you should be listening to list which you can read here, and we review their April TOMCAT performance here.
You can find updated information from War Bear at their linktree.
For fans of: Comeback Kid, The Ghost Inside and While She Sleeps
9/10
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