Metalcatto
I’m going to try something new and difficult for once. First, reviewing Dropout Kings’ Yokai, which is the closest we’ve come to covering a completely different music genre. Second, being honest yet respectful, given the irreplaceable human loss the band has recently suffered. So, despite my deep-seated disdain for most Nu-Metal or Hip-Hop, I’m willing to change (unlike your parents!). Let’s dive in—because that cover art promises madness.
Yes, Yokai is just as wild as its artwork. At first glance, you might think it’s just a 2000s Nu-Metal/Metalcore album with more steroids and computer processing power—and you’d be partly right. But listening to it felt like puking a rainbow and gummy bears: an overwhelming sugar rush of chaotic energy that eventually leaves you euphoric, then drained in a corner. This isn’t a complaint, though. If anything, it’s proof that Metal—even in its hybrid forms—can evoke powerful reactions. In this case, it’s short bursts of bliss before the inevitable crash.
There’s a lot of aggressive rapping here, and the lyrics can get… colorful (some lines are so controversial I can’t even quote them). Fortunately, the riffs never stay gone for too long, which is a relief. Still, Yokai works best as a whole, not a collection of parts. Each element—simple and direct—comes together to create this hostile, urban world. It’s rough, it’s messy, but it feels cohesive. This album doesn’t just flirt with chaos; it commits to it.
Alright, my fellow blastbeat-breathing dungeon dwellers—Yokai is your musical antithesis. It’s a Nu-Metal album that freely dips into Hip-Hop, Metal, and Electronic without asking permission. That kind of genre-blending can be alienating, especially if you’re someone who prefers your Metal covered in corpse paint and misery. Add to that the razor-edged choruses, and you’ve got something that should be unbearable… but surprisingly isn’t. I expected to hate this, but I didn’t. It’s chaotic, yes, but it feels genuine—and that counts for a lot.
So if you’re a loyal reader sick of us reviewing nothing but distorted ape noises and existential dread, maybe Dropout Kings offer a guilty pleasure you won’t feel too bad about. If you’ve ever wished Vildhjarta were just a bit more accessible, this might hit the spot—or it might make you furious that we reviewed something less violent for once. Either way, that’s still a trauma response. Until next time!
No single yet…
Label: Napalm Records
Release date: August 8, 2025
Website: https://www.facebook.com/DropoutKingsAZ/
Country: USA
Score: 2.8/5.0
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