MAMADRIVE

Mamadrive are not like other bands. Formed in Kobe and never tempted to relocate to the capital in pursuit of success, they are a band of integrity – but more importantly, they are a blistering rock band, a female-fronted power-trio with a dark, warm sound and brutality to spare. It starts with rhythm, an ingredient that many recent Japanese rock bands forget to include altogether. Drummer Manabu Ougi mixes up tempos and hits heavy, but never disappears into obscurity, keeping the songs tight and danceable and always thrilling.