envy

Envy is a foundational pillar of the Japanese independent music scene, formed in Tokyo in 1992. While they began as a more traditional, abrasive screamo and hardcore outfit, their evolution into a 'post-screamo' pioneer redefined the boundaries of heavy music.

By the early 2000s, they began incorporating the long-form, crescendo-based structures of post-rock, heavily influenced by their contemporaries and eventual collaborators in Mogwai. This stylistic shift allowed them to bridge the gap between the DIY punk underground and the broader world of experimental rock. Their sound is defined by the interplay between three guitars creating dense, melodic textures and the dual vocal approach of Tetsuya Fukugawa, who oscillates between vulnerable spoken word and harrowing screams. Critically, they are revered for their emotional sincerity and technical precision, maintaining a cult-like following globally through releases on influential labels like Temporary Residence Ltd and Rock Action. Despite lineup changes in the late 2010s, the return of Fukugawa solidified their status as a living legend of the genre, continuing to influence a generation of 'blackgaze' and atmospheric hardcore bands.