There are very few songs out there that truly can make my eyes moist. Maybe “Another Day In Paradise” by Phil Collins, Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start The Fire” or “Hail Hail Rock and Roll” by Garland Jeffreys. The newly released single from Re:O can now join the club of Rita’s favourite sonic tear jerkers. “Violets” is loud, lyrical and beautiful. Part Evanescence, part Lovebites, all heartbreaking, sorrowful and poetic.
“Violet artwork” by Rio Suyama & James “J” Stevens
Official bio: Re:O is a Japanese-British three piece based in Maidenhead. The band consists of Rio Suyama, James Wright and James J. Stevens. “Violets” is the 8th single released by Re:O. The song explores the depths of grief by combining Re:O’s signature blend of metal riffs with sombre and harrowing melodies that captivate grief and pain with mesmerizing vocals, haunting piano melodies and synthonic instrumentation. This will immediately draw in any fan of alternative metal, industrial metal, metal-core, goth, J-pop and dark pop. “Violets” describes the death of someone extremely close and important to you and how the grief has overwhelmed you with the loss of the one person who supported you, was there for you and who you loved dearly. Written in loving memory of Joyce Rose Brooks (03/01/1931-15/01/2021), grandmother of the band’s bassist, James Wright.
With 7 magnificent singles behind their belt, RE:O became renowned on the London independent music scene by creating fast, rhythmic and unapologetic alternative metal, blending British heavy metal tradition with the theatrical and emotionally charged Japanese visual kei rock. “Violets” is a bit of a Schrodinger track for the band: it is similar to the previously released material but at the same time, it stands out from the rest, marking a significant shift in the band’s established sound.
“Violets” is slower, delicate with gothic elements that remind me of Nightwish. Nightwish as an obvious influence has been mentioned in the fans’ comments on their official YouTube channel as well. Not sure if the band truly wanted to emulate the Finns’ momentous and often exalted music, or was it rather an unconscious choice, but it’s hard to deny that RE:O is definitely taking a deep plunge into the cold symphonic metal waters.
Rio in violet photographed by Agnieszka Rzesniowiecka
The new single is mournful in tone, reflective, filled with sorrow and regret. It deals with themes of death, unexpected and deeply personal loss and the inability to shake off the numbing pain. “‘Violets’ describes the death of someone extremely close and important to you and how the grief has overwhelmed you with the loss of the one person who supported you, was there for you and who you loved dearly” writes the trio in their PR note. “The story continues by plunging into denial and how you refuse to accept this has happened and questioning how you can continue onwards. Everything you knew has now been lost and now you must stumble and find your way in this new and hostile emotional landscape”.
Lead singer Rio Suyama’s voice is especially moving: it conveys anger, despair, hurt and suffering so vividly that you will feel her pain too. I tried to listen to the song with the lights dimmed and headphones on and my mood changed drastically. Add powerful guitars, hard hitting bass and piano passages and you will be feeling all blue in a second.
“Violets” will undoubtedly open many doors for the band. If they continue on the path established by the single, mixing Japanese metal with wider European influences, than Re:O could do very well on the rock and metal radio stations on the mainland. I must say that personally I prefer their earlier incarnation (“Ronin”), but their symphonic metal experiment is highly interesting.
Can’t wait to see where the band will go from here.
RE:O online:
https://www.facebook.com/reothebandofficial
https://www.instagram.com/reotheband/
https://reomusic3.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/user-532691948
https://www.twitch.tv/reo_o_jp
https://x.com/re_oofficial
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsicWava4-eRqVvrHOEOeMg
https://ko-fi.com/reotheband
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5rLfw0m94PhKR4pnbomrqB?si=xE0iSSyxQ9udwJwDBytIVA&nd=1&dlsi=4983dfe252f741b8
Upcoming shows:
15th May – The Brighton Rock and Roll Circus 2025 (The Great Escape fringe), The Font, Brighton, free entry but tickets can be reserved here
31st May – Phase B Records Presents showcase, The Emporium Bar, Portsmouth (supporting Rude Awakening and Call of Siren, tickets here
31st July – The Six Six Bar, Cambridge, tickets TBA
“Violets” is out now independently.
Rita Dabrowicz
Indieterria 