Tokyo Riff Lords Sable Hills Team Up With Darkest Hour On 'Godforsaken'

Tokyo Riff Lords Sable Hills have teamed up with Darkest Hour’s John Henry to help keep classic metalcore alive. Their crushing new single ‘Godforsaken’ is the Japanese act’s first release since their 2024 album Odyssey, and it picks up right where it left off. Catchy and groove riffs, circlepit-inducing rhythms and dual vocal harmonies from frontman Takuya Mishima and guitarist Wataru Yuasa that will have the OG-metalcore fans drooling. 

In true Sable Hills fashion, they know just who to bring on to feature. This time, it’s John Henry from Darkest Hour, adding just that extra layer to the mid-00’s metalcore mayhem.

That is the beautiful thing about Sable Hills: they may not be reinventing the wheel, but they know how to write a goddamn great song. If this is your first time coming across this mainstay of the wider Asia metalcore scene, then you are in for a real treat. Not only has the band built an impressive legacy in the Japanese and wider Asian scenes, but they have also built a substantial following globally, thanks to their two appearances at the Wacken Metal Festival.

They have also established solid connections across the metalcore world, supporting and working with bands such as Bullet For My Valentine, Unearth and of course, Darkest Hour. 

It has not been announced whether ‘Godforsaken’ is the sign that a new album is coming, or if it's just a one-off single to kick off some big festival appearances in Japan for the band, as they will also be joining bands like Parkway Drive, Bullet For My Valentine and Kerry King at Loud Park Festival in October.

Either way, we are always ready for some more Sable Hills.

‘Godforsaken’ feat. John Henry (Darkest Hour) is out now via Arising Empire Records.

Words by Kayla Hamilton @kaylazomboid