There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - IE 12" (2000)

    There Is A Light That Never Goes Out was a hardcore punk/emo band from Tokyo, Japan who were active from 1998-2002. They are named after the song of the same title by The Smiths. During the four years they were active they released a full length album on LP/CD, a split 7" with French band Vanilla, a split cassette tape with The 100 Lots and then a posthumous CD with a compilation of tracks and a bonus DVD. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out also played many shows with bands such as Nine Days Wonder, Envy, 400 Years, Kulara and With Love to name a few. 

    Their sound is a complex one with vocals reminiscent of Frail or Angel Hair but instrumentals almost similar to the experimental feel of Clikitat Ikatowi but with a touch of mathy influence. I really like the combination of loud hardcore vocals but something different and more interesting from basic hardcore guitar riffs. The resulting sound leaves us with something so rhythmic and packed with energy you can't help tapping your foot to every song. 

    I found this band fairly recently along with Nine Days Wonder, also out of Japan, and both are incredibly underrated. I find I often forget to sift through bands active in the early 2000s for the good stuff but there are really some hidden gems after the 90s. 

(Including the Spotify link for copyright purposes)

Spotify Link

IE 12" 2000 (Dim Mak Records)