Hoari - Hoari EP

Labels: Some Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 10 Oct 2024

Tracklist:

1. 26.17.1.4.1

2. Обретение

3. Гвозди Гнева

4. В Объятиях Бездны

5. Единое Целое

6. Церемония

2025 is almost at an end (only four or so weeks to go), which is absolutely bonkers for many reasons. One such reason is feeling like I've missed out on so much new music, while trying my best to keep on top of it all (never gonna happen!). That previous sentence rings true though when you consider that this self-titled debut release from Russian band Hoari was originally released in October 2024.

Hoari features members of Wowod, Cross Bringer, Euglena and many more bands as well. Their self-titled EP was released digitally by the band themselves and as a very limited 10" lathe pressing via Some Records, before USA/Canadian label (and purveyor of everything super-good about screamo) Zegema Beach Records did a tape release in August just gone.

It feel’s very odd to be writing about a Russian band/release that’s not related to Polar Summer Records, but I don’t make the rules. Hoari is a pretty new band that’s made up of some seasoned musicians. Opening their self-titled EP with the rousing ambient noise of ’26.17.1.4.1’, they build expectation for what’s to come through the use of feedback, samples and electronica. ‘Обретение’ jolts into life after the briefest of pauses, revealing a heavy, angular take on hardcore that’s darker than it is post. It’s subtly blackened while being more math-like in places too.

‘Гвозди Гнева’ follows in much the same vein and I’m sure I’ve used this comparison before, but it reminds me of the chaotic/metallic sound of Noise Trail Immersion. It’s a song that’s over in a flash at just over a minute in length. That being said, it feels much longer than that. ‘В Объятиях Бездны’ reminds me of why I like bands that play through those awkward in-between song passages, as this release does make use of subtle pauses that affect momentum ever so slightly. That’s a very minor complaint though as Hoari quickly up the ante.

Their metallic riffs, pulsing bass, raging percussion and equally disturbing vocals show how easily experienced performers can gel with one another to create a sound that’s so engrossing. ‘Единое Целое’ acts as a penultimate battering ram, showing Hoari at their most blistering. Energetic, panic-inducing and utterly enormous in sound. There’s no escaping their intensity.

EP closer ‘Церемония’ treads a familiar path initially, though it’s also complimented by moments of sludgier atmospherics and slower tempos later on. It benefits from greater atmosphere and breathiness that comes to the fore during its instrumental mid-section. There’s something truly majestic about it, even when the sporadic vocals hit. The way they slow the tempo down towards the end could be considered slightly jarring but it works so well in the context of this EP.

Given the quality of the musicians that make up Hoari, it’s no surprise that this debut EP is a stellar one. Hoari   have laid down yet another marker for screamo and hardcore in the far reaches of Eastern Europe.

You can stream and purchase the EP as a name-your-price download from Hoari below:-

The lathe cut records from Some Records were limited to 30, so they're likely sold out. You can reach out to the label here (as I could be wrong on that) - https://www.instagram.com/some.awesome.rec

Tapes copies from ZBR are sold out on their bandcamp page but you can still grab copies directly from them below:-

ZBR CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/hoari

ZBR USA - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/hoari

ZBR - https://bsky.app/profile/zegemabeachrecords.bsky.social