Whispers – Yom-Ma-Lok (EP)
Release Date: 13th December 2024
Label: Flatspot Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Hardcore, Bangkok Evilcore.
FFO: Hatebreed, Speed, Sick Of It All.
Review By: Ross Bowie
Yo-Ma-Lok is new EP from Thai band Whispers, who have dubbed their sound as “Bangkok Evilcore”, which after getting over my initial PTSD of Coal Chamber dubbing themselves as “Spooky Core” back in the day, I was able to take it at face value, as the Asian hardcore scene is something that I haven’t really dived in on yet but after hearing what Whispers are up to, it’s something I will be checking out.
Bangkok Evilcore, while being the genre the band are playing, is also the name of the first track and, wouldn’t you know, Bangkok Evilcore just happens to sound a lot like mixing hardcore and metal music together and especially sounds a lot like Hatebreed. The way the band combine the two elements of hardcore and metal is genuinely impressive, as the transitions are so smooth, even down to the production, where you can’t tell if it’s a raw sounding hardcore release or a polished metal album, it sits comfortably in both realms, utilising both to an impressive standard. The hardcore energy really powers this EP along as it’s breakneck speed and only slows down to punish you with a thick breakdown, but the guitar leads all over this are straight out of the early 2000s metalcore playbook, and they sweep over the riffs and keep the songs interesting as they rage on.
Retribution is the third track in, and it’s the first time Whispers really let that metal influence take the front of the stage. The song has a real menacing quality and even the vocals really are on a harsher tone rather than the more hardcore yell. The riffs are full of great guitar leads and enough chugs that a teenage boy would be proud, but that hardcore influence is still there as the gang vocals of the title come in over the chorus, making the whole thing sound huge. This Is Not The End is undoubtedly Yo-Ma-Lok. The balance of their sound is perfect, and for the first time, the band really lean into those bouncy riffs and even throw in some touches of black metal to keep the EP sounding fresh, and it really works with the pace of the song and throwing in guitar leads over a classing top string breakdown which then harmonises with itself? What more could you be asking for?
Yo-Ma-Lok might not be enough of a departure from its influence to be labelling it as an entire new genre, but it is a really fun time. It’s not changing the wheel, but it sets out to play a specific sound and nails it every time, the songs are catchy and memorable, heavy when they need to be and have some nice surprise riffs or breakdowns along the way. There is some choir sounds thrown in at the start or end of some tracks, so would be cool to see that Asian influence peak it’s head in even more and get expanded on during some of the tracks to create something real dark and evil.
While Yo-Ma-Lok might in its English translation sound like a scouser is about to insult your mother, the title translates to “world of death people” or “underworld” in Thai. The band set out to make something evil sounding and while the EP might be a bit too fist throwing and spin kicking to be considered evil, it’s still a great time. It would be hard to say this EP is evil when you’re having so much fun listening to it. Whispers have stepped up their sound from their previous work and this EP has potential to cause pure chaos live and for that alone the band should be proud.
(4 / 5)
