Metalcatto
In our never-ending quest for originality, shocking things become more and more difficult to find. So imagine my surprise when Saidan proposed to mix Black Metal with Visual Kei. That’s just so wild it could work. FANGDRILLER: Scars Beneath Memory’s Wrist is supposed to come as a Gothic and charming tale—something harsh, but somehow comforting. Can the album strike a balance between these two worlds, or will it all become unbearably sentimental? Hopes are high.
FANGDRILLER transports you to a dark and melancholy world worthy of any great classic PlayStation game. The band might not be from Japan, but in spirit, it’s always been there. Lo-fi production, raging vocals, and guitar work that makes everything feel like we’re trapped in Dracula’s castle—hopefully a Belmont is coming to save our necks. I know my ancient games, see? Having said that, the album has a whole story about heartbreak, loneliness, and the occult. No spoilers, though.
The songwriting is extremely direct here. There’s next to no speculation. Saidan isn’t saving its strengths. The band constantly delivers emotional blows that will make you feel nostalgic about something you never had. The formula is clear: a noisy background, visceral vocals, and guitar work that hits that Melodic Black Metal sweet spot. So imagine Taake meets Dir En Grey? That’s what this feels like to me. Pretty freaking weird, but mesmerizing. The fusion shouldn’t work, but it does—and that’s the magic of it.
There are a few details that could elevate future Saidan work, though. The production gets a bit too rough at times, especially when everyone is blasting the snot out of their instruments. I’d appreciate less white noise in the mix. Then there’s the fact that as cathartic as each track is, they’re all similar in structure and delivery. Even if the result is still outstanding, by the end you might feel slightly numb. The impact diminishes not because the quality drops, but because the approach doesn’t vary enough to keep the adrenaline spiking.
Yet if you long for something more unique—something that takes risks and isn’t afraid to be emotional—then Saidan has something so interesting that I can totally see myself returning to it. These guys aren’t rookies. They’re totally worthy of a “Revelations of the Year” spot at the end of the year. This is autumn music by definition: melancholy, beautiful, and just a little bit haunting. So give FANGDRILLER a spin. Let the weirdness wash over you.
Label: Avantgarde Music
Release date: 19th June, 2026
Website: https://saidan.bandcamp.com
Country: USA
Score: 3.8/5.0
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