REVIEW: Heaven In Her Arms - The End of Purification

After almost ten years since their last release, Japanese post-hardcore band HEAVEN IN HER ARMS release their new album The End of Purification. With nearly two decades behind them, the band have managed to master the art of mixing the uncompromising intense sound of hardcore with striking melodies, and this album does not disappoint in that respect.

The album starts off strong with Dawn Yarn, featuring PG2 from ENSLAVE. The song kicks of with impeccable fast paced playing and strong vocals before dropping into the most beautiful instrumentals that complement each other perfectly. At almost eight minutes long it’s a very strong start to the album.

Next heading into Threads of Collapse, the song opens with a reading of the poem Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost. It is read beautifully with the soft song in the background; it adds an almost atmospheric feel to it. The song kicks off and holds an emotional punch. With a mix of taunting vocals and spoken word it makes for a fantastic blend. Another song that just showcases the versatility HEAVEN IN HER ARMS brings. 

Next is the lead single of the album, The Moon That Falls Only Here, which has already been released. Opening with spoken word before going into emotional vocals and more immaculate playing from the band, it is the perfect single release that really shows what HEAVEN IN HER ARMS are capable of. Spilt Prayers (ft. Netako Nekota (JYOCHO, heliotrope)) has some of the most hauntingly beautiful vocals on the record and the guitar on this one is flawless. The harsh guitars mixed with Netako’s soft vocals are so melancholy in the best possible way.

With a gradual build up to Zanka and more spoken word lyrics, this is a much more calming song to take us into the end of the album. Don’t for a moment think it holds anything back though because it still brings raging vocals and heavy drums that you’d expect at this point from HEAVEN IN HER ARMS. 

Iron wire and a canary gives us another long melodic intro with more spoken word lyrics and really leads you into a false sense of comfort before the vocals kick in again. Standout vocals on the album filled with rampant emotion, you can really feel this one. The album closes off with Red Dream, and it finishes it off exquisitely. Taking you on another journey of highs and lows, the guitar work in this one is just striking and really transports you into the atmosphere of this song. A perfect ending to a really well-made album.

Every song on this album is a roller coaster of highs and lows you just don’t want to get off. With a running time of over 40 minutes, it's packed full, from beginning to end. HEAVEN IN HER ARMS have become a staple name in the Japanese post-hardcore scene and have even introduced bands such as DEAFHEAVEN into the Japanese scene. This album really makes us hope not only to see more from HEAVEN IN HER ARMS, but more of them hopefully here in the future. 

Score: 8/10

The End of Purification will be released on 13th November 2026 via Banshies Records.

Words: Shay Decay

Photos: Jun Tsuneda