PREMIERE: Sakura - Last Piece of Me
Written by Jesse James Smith
We have spoken about this wonder from down under before. Sakura from Australia is a metalcore project that takes Australia’s best export (metalcore music) and blends it with Japanese culture. Sakura started releasing music at the beginning of this year and is grabbing the attention of many and gaining a following around the world. To be honest, there is no question why. The musicianship and song crafting that comes out of this project is top tier and their newest song “Last Piece Of Me” is no different. In fact, I would go as far to say this is my favorite release yet.
I first heard this song while watching the music video so I want to start with that first. The music video is an anime which is so fitting and so cool. On TikTok, you see a lot of anime scenes with music over it and they are always cool. I’m shocked no one has done it yet, but I’m not shocked Sakura jumped on the ball. The music video is super well made and captivating and the music is just as good. For this being a solo project, the production and song writing is flawless. This song is fast paced and is full of energy from beginning to end. I can see early metalcore fans liking this as the song is centered around the guitar riffs and they give heavy Miss May I and (old) As I Lay Dying vibes. The vocals were also another highlight for me. I’m very picky about how the vocals sound and it can make or break a song for me, but both the screams and the clean vocals were both incredible. But the most memorable moment that everyone will talk about is the bridge/verse in the middle. The break where it is all in Japanese? Brother, it gave me goosebumps. Remember, I said I watched it with the music video so that part had me rewind it a couple of times.
Sakura is a force that is going to blow up in the next couple of years, and I’m calling it now. Everything is so well crafted and thought out from the image to the music, it is all there. Now we are really just putting in the time for everyone to catch up and notice. With bands like Jiluka coming over and CRUSHING it in the states, more of that Japanese Metalcore is going to start getting noticed and it won’t be long before Sakura is in that conversation. All I know is that this song is a certified banger and it deserves to be on your gym playlist.