Nisemono (Imposter) is the self-titled debut LP from a New York duo, with a rich hardcore pedigree spanning Dollhouse, L.O.T.I.O.N, and Warthog among others.

In the guise of Nisemono, they savagely mould Japanese and Scandinavian hardcore influences into a punishing, groove fuelled onslaught.  There is a delicious clarity and fullness to the riffage as it is unleashed in wave upon relentless wave, before morphing into scorchingly melodic solos.  The cymbal awash drumming injects both a fierce propulsion, but also a satisfying suppleness, to the barrage.  The result is an intriguing balancing act between power, precision, and fluidity.

Meanwhile, the powerfully guttural vocals conjure images of a demon questioning their life choices after a particularly gruelling, and if they were honest, unfulfilling day of meting out torment and punishment.  This sense of tortured self-reflection is mirrored in the lyrical themes of frustration, exhaustion, and anxiety.  Personal highlights include the ferociously swaggering 酷い思い出 (Hidoi Omoide / Bad Memories) and the merciless intensity of 憎しみ (Nikushimi / Hatred).  The album also includes a rather natty silk-screened poster of the card playing skeleton from the cover art.