Formed in Kobe City, Japan in 2002, Mass of the Fermenting Dregs entranced the crowd with ecstatic energy Oct. 5 at the Sinclair, providing a hypnotic performance for their diehard fans.

Masu Dore’s sound is unique as they meticulously blend the styles of alternative rock, shoegaze and punk to produce an all-consuming angsty sound that is vibrant and sustained by punchy rhythms.

The post-hardcore and alt-rock trio has been captivating rock fans around the world since the release of their self-titled EP in 2008. After taking a three-year hiatus in 2012 following the departure of former guitarist Isao Yoshino, the band returned in 2017 and shortly after released “No New World” in 2018. 

The roster includes bassist and vocalist Natsuko Miyamoto, guitarist Naoya Ogura and drummer Isao Yoshino. Despite facing numerous obstacles throughout the past two decades, Masu Dore established a devoted fanbase that originated in Japan and has now spread worldwide. 

Masu Dore eased the crowd with their first three songs, “Dramatic,” “Sugar” and “New Order.” Miyamoto’s delicate vocals, accompanied by each song’s melodic riffs, created a lush and joyous energy that sustained throughout the performance, illustrating the comfort found in the band’s unique sound.

The excitement radiating from the crowd was electric, as North American fans buzzed with anticipation for their long-awaited 2024 tour. This is the band’s second time touring in North America, with their first being in 2023. 

An hour of pure adrenaline followed after the third song and fan favorite, “Aoi, Koi, Daidai-iro no Hibi,” began. The melodious heaviness, pop vocals and angsty signature charm ignited the crowd to form a chaotic mosh pit paralleling the passionate and exhilarating energy observed onstage. 

Miyamoto dominated the stage, flailing her hair, jumping around and smiling throughout the set. As the mosh pit grew with the start of each song, people were losing themselves in the infectious and liberating atmosphere. 

The tracks “She is inside, He is outside” and “MELT” were highlights of the set due to each song’s thunderous energy, defining Masu Dore’s guitar-driven style and subjecting crowd surfers to uphold the intense energy needed to liven the crowd as they floated throughout the venue.

The remainder of the setlist featured tracks such as “skabetty,” “End Roll,” “HuHuHu” and “World Is Yours,” which showcased the complex range of sounds discovered on each of their albums and EPs.

The audience couldn’t help but embrace the infectious smiles radiating from the stage to the crowd. Rowdy fans throughout the show cheered as they shouted phrases such as “The U.S. loves you” and “Music is universal!” 

Not only was Miyamoto’s warm energy infectious, but her interaction with the crowd also created a comforting environment as she repeated these phrases to converse with the audience and make them feel heard and special. 

Between each song, Miyamoto expressed her gratitude for fans by shouting, “Thank you!” while holding up a hand heart. The interactions made the concert feel intimate, transforming the crowd from cheering fans to a group drawn together by a shared love for the trio’s music.

The most hypnotic part of the show was when they performed two of their nine-minute tracks titled “End Roll” and “1960,” in full. As the crowd listened to the epic instrumentals and observed the trio’s deep chemistry onstage, people put their phones down and fully savored the most intimate twenty minutes of the show.

Each song on the setlist contained a rush of energy, outlining the enduring passion that the trio contains. 

Masu Dore’s stage presence throughout the show transcended the language barrier and energized the audience throughout, fueling their immense desire for the night to never end.

To conclude the show, Masu Dore returned to the stage with an encore. As the crowd shouted for one more song, the band walked out with all smiles thanking the audience with immense gratitude. 

They played “delusionalism,” off their 2008 self-titled EP. The song was a perfect send-off as the crowd was able to let go and embrace the heavy guitar and head-banging energy one last time. 

After thanking the crowd one final time, Masu Dore remained onstage after the show to take a group photo with the entire crowd, a tradition at all of their shows. 

Mass of the Fermenting Dregs’ North American tour continues until the end of October with their final show in Texas Oct. 19