Originally formed in 2018, Simulakra have set the blueprint for what modern metallic hardcore should sound like. After a demo and a number of singles, the band released their LP, The Infection Spreads in 2022, which was lauded by heavy music press, and led to tours alongside No Warning, Mindforce, and Vomit Forth. On the upcoming Reincarnation EP, set for release March 15th on DAZE, Simulakra have leveled up on their heaviest material yet. Today, the band shares “Heathen’s Prayer,” a pulverizing single about turning to prayer out of desperation. Vocalist Dom Pabon gives a soul crushing delivery as the band blasts out dark, muscular rhythms.

Sharing members with Gridiron, Foreign Hands, and Scarab, it’s no surprise Simulakra have created a beast of an EP. Alongside Pabon, the band is comprised of Xavier Wilson (guitar), Tyler Breza (drums), Jack Beatson (guitar), and Tyler Norris (bass). Entering the studio with Andy Nelson at Bricktop Recording in Fall 2023, Simulakra fed into their strengths to up the ante on each of the five songs found on Reincarnation. A death metal influence shines through, noting Cryptopsy, Dying Fetus, and Merauder as reference points, and leading to some killer riffs. The song titles, lyrics, and artwork revolve around the crossroads of spirituality and recognizing ones self.

Pabon expands:

“On ‘The Infection Spreads’, I was dealing with a lot of severe health issues. I wrote about my experience being sick for so long and I used it as a diary essentially to get out how I felt about myself and how I viewed the world. This time around, I had time to fully flesh out tracks, being able to write different themes for each song, and lyrics in a style to have them more open to interpretation. After I was done writing everything, I noticed an overarching tone of spirituality so I definitely wanted to add that in the artwork as well. The title ‘Reincarnation’ encapsulates this entire EP perfectly, as though I feel like this EP is a reincarnation of the band. It’s us but at our purest, best form.”