If there would be a reward for naming your band in the most uncommercial way, it would have to go to Japanische Kampfhörspiele. I mean the German language is to this day associated with World War 2 and this combined with “Japanese camp hear play” results in the unavoidable conclusion that this band name is inconsiderate, tasteless and inappropriate, so it’s the perfect name for a grindcore act!

Japanische Kampfhörspiele (JaKa for friends) was formed in1998 by Klaus Nicodem (guitar) and Christoff Kather (drums) as a sort of experimental project. They released a couple of songs over the internet creating a name for themselves. In order to be able to play live they searched and found a couple of band members so the project became a band and they signed to Bastardized Recordings. After releasing the Fertigmensch EP JaKa now releases their second full length Hardcore Aus Der Ersten Welt.

While it certainly is extreme and the style lies within the grindcore area it’s difficult to categorise JaKa any further. The individual tracks are comprised of fragmentary bits and pieces of furious grindcore. The vocals (all German) are a high pitched scream and a guttural low grunt. The music includes brutal passages with raging blast beats, hardcore like rhythms and atmospheric soundscapes. The use of samples contributes to the diversity of this album. If I had to name one band that is at least a bit similar to JaKa I would say that if you take the most extreme tracks of The mad Capsule Markets you would come close.

It’s difficult to predict the success of “Hardcore…”. If you’re into grindcore you definitely have to check it out but I won’t guarantee you’ll like it. If you’re into The Dillinger Escape Plan you’ll probably love it.