Sounds You Need In Your Ears
Episode 14: Knosis
Lineup:
Ryo Kinoshita // vocals
Online:
When Ryo Kinoshita departed Crystal Lake in late 2022, the metalcore community was gutted. A dynamic vocalist with a stage presence unlike any other, this monster on the mic was going to be sorely missed. Luckily for us, he returned earlier this year with KNOSIS; an experimental metalcore project in collaboration with Hideout Studios. After a few shows in Tokyo and a small Asian tour, Knosis dropped 3-track EP The Shattering and if you come into this EP expecting Crystal Lake, then you are barking up the wrong tree.
The Shattering features three tracks: '星砕(Sei Sai)', '忌鬼(Imi Oni)' and '狂火(Kurui Bi)'. Aptly named, this release shatters some of the preconceived notions of who Ryo Kinoshita is as an artist. It reaches beyond metalcore and lives up to its claim of experimental. While it still has its roots firmly planted in deathcore/metalcore, there are so many elements of nu-metal, djent, pure hardcore and digital sounds that are becoming very prominent in Japanese metalcore. Think Linkin Park on speed, mixed with classic metalcore choruses, hardcore breakdowns and gang vocals and even hints of Deftones-esque sultry cleans.
As incredible as the release is, it is only a snippet of what KNOSIS is about. Lyrically, it explores themes of dealing with demons, losing yourself and battling those external voices. Live though, Kinoshita sings these words with the kind of venom that shows he means every single thing he is saying. Personally witnessing KNOSIS performing live in Tokyo at the Spring Bloodaxe Festival (footage you can find at the bottom) was like watching somebody battle their demons in real time. Not only were you able to experience the EP in its intended form, but the currently unreleased tracks they performed showed the depth in which Ryo has gone to create music from the heart. Add in a Machine Head and a Hatebreed cover- the thirty-minute set was a blur of intense emotion, flying bodies and some of the freshest sounds to come out of Japanese metalcore in a long time.
Ryo Kinoshita has labelled KNOSIS as his therapy. A way to find himself as an artist and battle the difficult feelings that come from losing yourself. From the live performances to the EP itself- it is very evident that KNOSIS comes from an honest, raw and heartfelt place. Currently, the band is touring across Japan and has announced they will be joining Aussie metalcore heavyweights Make Them Suffer and Void of Vision supporting Stray From The Path in the October/November EU/UK tour. No word on an Australian tour yet, but we can only hope that it won’t be too long till they hit our shores.
One thing is for certain, if KNOSIS is playing anywhere you can get to then don’t even hesitate - GO!
Words by Kayla Hamilton @kaylazomboid
Stream The Shattering EP here
Knosis - The Shattering EP tracklisting
1. 星砕(Sei Sai)
2. 忌鬼(Imi Oni)
3. 狂火(Kurui Bi)
