Seventeen years ago today, the Japanese band Envy unleashed “Insomniac Doze,” a titanic work that sent shockwaves across the hardcore and post-rock community. The album encapsulated the band’s quintessential elements: unyielding emotion, a poetic atmosphere, and genre-defying compositions. It was, in a word, more than anyone could ask for.
In tracing the origin of Envy, it’s vital to remember that the band came into existence in 1991, a time when the global musical landscape was in flux. America’s alternative scene was going mainstream, and half a world away in Japan, a group of teenagers founded what was initially an uncompromising thrash band. Fast-forward to 2006, and Envy had become the architects of a unique blend of hardcore, screamo, and post-rock elements. The sincerity and emotional intensity were still there, but now accompanied by life-affirming, uplifting compositions.
What stands out in “Insomniac Doze” is its seamless fusion of emotional resonance and musical complexity. It’s an album that starts with a bang: “Further Ahead of Warp” showcases the band’s ability to craft anthemic crescendoes, blending frenetic energy with poetic serenity. The track “A Warm Room,” is a waltz-like threnody and perhaps one of the band’s most memorable works, highlighted by its heart-rending guitar melodies.
The band didn’t shy away from experimentation, either. “Scene” incorporates atmospheric electronic lines, while “Night in Winter” for its part, almost functions as a children’s lullaby for the first four of its six minutes. The album’s 15-minute magnum opus, “The Unknown Glow,” is a sonic journey featuring everything from a somnolent litany to military drumming.
Critics and fans alike have had varied opinions about “Insomniac Doze.” Some found it to be a musically competent work in post-hardcore that took “little to no chances,” even going so far as to say that its atmospheric nature evoked boredom rather than fascination. However, others saw it as a complete rehabilitation of Envy’s sound, lauding it as an intricate layering of old and new musical ideas.
Regardless of the divide, it’s inarguable that “Insomniac Doze” showcased Envy’s ever-evolving sound that took them way further artistically, effortlessly blending hardcore and screamo with epic post-rock.
As a band known for its ever-changing dynamics and emotional intensity, Envy faced a significant transformation in 2018. In February of that year, they announced a fresh lineup featuring Tsuyoshi Yoshitake, Yoshimitsu Taki, and Hiroki Watanabe. However, the most surprising event came on April 1, 2018, when Tetsuya Fukagawa, the former cornerstone of the band, rejoined Envy on stage for the first time in over two years, solidifying his return and bringing a renewed vigor to the band’s lineup. This news, confirmed via their official social media channels, was a notable moment in Envy’s long history.
Fast forward to November 9, 2022, and Envy came back with their newest EP, “Seimei,” which is fresh off their European tour and nearly three years after their highly acclaimed album “The Fallen Crimson.” The EP consists of three songs: “Seimei,” “Zanshin,” and “Yamayura,” exploring various musical terrains and emotional landscapes.
It’s a work that echoes the band’s thematic focus on finding “small hope in the dark passage of time.” The project, recorded and mixed by Takaaki Mino of the Japanese band toe, offers a natural yet intense sound that affirms the band’s extraordinary craft.
As we reflect on the impact of “Insomniac Doze” on its 17th anniversary, it’s also worth noting the continual evolution of Envy as a band. They’ve not only maintained their emotional intensity and musical complexity but also shown a remarkable ability to adapt and renew themselves, keeping their sound fresh while staying true to their roots. Long live Envy!
