When aware hit the scene in 2019, it was like a shot of adrenaline for the Genoa hardcore community. The band, named after the Japanese word for “awareness” (哀れ), came together right after the dissolution of INJECTION. Staying true to their roots but with a fresh melodic hardcore direction, they’re the kind of band that hits you with a raw, emotional vibe, balancing that signature European hardcore edge with a skatepunk energy.
Fronted by Andrea, formerly of TERAPIA DELL’ODIO and SFERA, the band started out with a sound that could easily blend with the more melodic side of punk, thanks to the influence of both emo and hardcore.
By 2020, with Valerio (who also does vocals and bass for SATOR) joining, aware solidified their lineup and focused on crafting new tracks.
But like many bands, the pandemic threw a wrench in their plans, delaying their debut release. It wasn’t until 2022 that they dropped their first EP, aptly titled “哀れ“, through the Genoa-based indie label Flamingo Records.
Their first single, “Going Nowhere,” set the tone—pissed off but melodic, a track that makes you wanna grab your board and hit the pavement, feeling every note in your bones.
Fast forward to 2024, aware unleashed their debut full-length album GLOOM BOX, packed with earworm tracks like “Ambitions” and “Erase It.”
Released digitally on September 6, again through Flamingo Records, the album still holds on to that skatepunk/emo/hardcore fusion.
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“We come from a scene that’s been fighting to survive,” says the band. Genoa’s hardcore scene has had a rough time lately, with the local government constantly evicting social spaces. But the spirit? Unstoppable. Groups like Adescite Crew, Wet Mary Production, and collectives like Buridda and Zapata have kept the underground alive.
And then there’s Flamingo Records, a hub for local talent like CINEVRIVIDO, LOSERS PARADE, SMALL THINGS, and BOOGAMEN. It’s the kind of community that keeps pushing forward, even when things fall apart—much like the themes that dominate aware’s lyrics.
Their track “Headache” dives into the anxiety of stepping out of your comfort zone, while “Falling Down” speaks to the decay of our world and how people carry on in denial. “Mistreat” pulls no punches in calling out the selfishness rampant in everyday interactions, and “Pathetic Life” captures that endless grind between work and home. Each song is a reflection of a world that’s not only flawed but sometimes feels suffocating.
For those curious about the full breakdown, the band has provided a track-by-track commentary, which you can dive into below.
Headache: sometimes, it’s hard to step out of your comfort zone, even though you know you have to. The problem arises when your comfort zone becomes your cage, and you become aware of it, unable to enjoy it because you fear the moment you’ll have to leave.
Falling down: the world is collapsing, everything is falling apart, but we carry on pretending nothing is happening. It’s not pleasant to say, but that’s the way it is.
Mistreat: people are selfish, and this is evident in every scene and situation. Support is often asked for, but nothing is given in return.
Pathetic life: when you’re working, you can’t wait to get home, and when you’re home, you’re anxious because the next day you have to go back to work. Vacations are a small reward just to keep you from going crazy.
Comfort zone: sometimes, it’s hard to step out of your comfort zone, even though you know you have to. The problem arises when your comfort zone becomes your cage, and you become aware of it, unable to enjoy it because you fear the moment you’ll have to leave
Better wrong: not all friends are genuine, and sometimes people who seem successful are surrounded by fake people who use them for selfish reasons. At that point, it’s better to be alone.
Certainties: it’s an ironic track: you may find yourself in a particularly surreal moment, one that, although serious, feels so strange that you wonder if you’re the protagonist of a movie.
Ceiling: when you’re suffering from insomnia, all you do is count the wasted days, reflecting on the past and hoping you’ll be able to sleep at least the next day.
What we do (wrong) is secret: everyone knows everything about everyone, but it can’t be said openly for various reasons. If someone behaves badly, it’s only fair that everyone knows
Ambitions: sometimes it’s better to live more peacefully and enjoy what we’ve achieved without being consumed by ambitions.
Erase it: relationships between people, even the most solid ones, can end to the point where two people become complete strangers again. Even without knowing why.
