In less than two years, Japanese metalcore unit View From The Soyuz has managed to gain real traction in the space of heavy culture. Formed in the second half of 2021, the band's debut EP, In Misty Path, tapped into the hey days of 2000's metalcore with potent fret work and punishing percussion. Combined with the vocal fury of frontman Masa, View From The Soyuz started out strong.
The band would harness the momentum of their introductory EP and add to their arsenal with a succession of standalone singles in 2022. Tracks like "Coexistence" and "Sky Burial" harkened back to when metal compilations were king and Y2K-era aggression was all the rage. The balance of hardcore posture and metallic delivery earned View From the Soyuz opening spots for the likes of Unearth and Xibalba.
The band's potent meld of nostalgic heft also piqued the interest of North American heavy music specialists, DAZE. The label, integral to breakout artists like Koyo, Foreign Hands and Sunami enlisted the Japanese prospects to release their follow-up EP. Setting a February 10th drop date, View From The Soyuz will make their impact felt on an international level with the arrival of Immaculate - their first release via DAZE.
To preview the project, the band has delivered another skilled show of force with the single, "Caligula". Following the more hardcore driven introduction of "When My World Collapse", the second cut embraces the band's metallic sensibilities and showcases the first and only music video from this cycle.
The band detailed the historic context of the track and explained the stylistic nuance that sources a variety of influences - both contemporary and classic. "It is based on Caligula, a Roman emperor who was once a great ruler but was assassinated due to his insane policies and cruel deeds. The song lyrics take from his story that people will pay the price if they live for their own selfish desires. Musically, there is a coldness and depressive melody reflected in the song that is mainly influenced by Scandinavian melodeath, metalcore, and Japanese hardcore bands from about 20 years ago."
Stream the Knotfest.com premiere of "Caligula" from View From the Soyuz below.
