District 105 returns with the second chapter of their three-part journey, and they wasted no time. “Chapter II: THE HATED PROTECTOR” arrives only a few months after “Chapter I: THE LOST CREATOR,” but the speed does not come at the cost of quality. If anything, this EP confirms what many suspected after the first release. District 105 have finally crystallised their own sound.
This is the sonic moment where all their influences, experiments, and years of hard work snap into place. The riffs are sharpened, the drums carry personality rather than just weight, and the vocals have evolved into a distinct and instantly recognisable voice. Beyond the sound, this second chapter also deepens the overarching narrative, which will culminate next year in a full-length album.
The band promised a trilogy that would explore struggle from different angles. “Chapter II” is the breaking point, the moment you realise the thing pushing you forward is also destroying you. Obsession, loss, redemption, and the pain of burying your younger self. District 105 approaches these themes with more confidence than ever.
Dream of (My Own Death)
The EP opens with its most ambitious and emotionally layered piece. The familiar melody of the West Vietnam lullaby “Ầu ơ dí dầu” sets the scene. It is a quiet invocation of memory, a nod to the roots of two founding members, and a clever foreshadowing of the lyrics, which explore the idea of trading dreams for safety only to end up trapped in the opposite fate.
The calm does not last. When the first riff lands, it is pure District 105. Heavy, sharp, rhythmic, and atmospheric. The most striking moment comes in the pre-chorus, where the vocals twist into something genuinely haunting. Screams blend with modulated cleans and post-production effects that create a sense of slipping between worlds or consciousness.
Then the track takes a wild detour. A sudden rap section from Mikey Rotten explodes into the song with a raw, breathless flow. Anyone who saw him on stage in Saigon recently knows how well he meshes with the band, and here the collaboration feels natural. His verse extends the narrative of paranoia, sleeplessness, regret, and descent.
The final breakdown brings the storm back full force and closes the track with complete authority. If there is one standout track on this release, it is this one.
The Worst (Bad Dog)
This track feels like a spiritual continuation of “Broken Symbol” from “Chapter I,” but quickly builds its own identity. It leans into straight groove, heavy crashes, and the unmistakable District 105 riff language. What elevates this track is Huy’s vocal performance. It feels like the moment where he locks into his final form. Deep beatdown growls, sharp high screams, unusual textures and well-timed clean moments. There is confidence and precision that was hinted at before but fully realised here.
The track also dips into “octanecore” territory with bright synth layers that are clearly engineered for live movement. After two years of constant touring, the band knows exactly what keeps a floor alive, and they apply that knowledge without losing compositional integrity.
A final detail seals the song’s personality. A sample from Cam Ly‘s “Người về cuối phố,” another nod to Vietnamese pop culture, filters through the ending. District 105 always manages to include these small cultural references in ways that feel thoughtful rather than gimmicky.
Addiction
The closer is the biggest surprise. A song that drifts far from hardcore and lands somewhere between ethereal pop melancholy and heavy emotional catharsis. The first half floats. It is soft, melodic, and atmospheric. Once the guitars enter in the second half, the track expands into something cinematic. Dare to say, Sleep Token-like.
The drum production stands out immediately. There is a Slipknotish snap in the snare mixed with a hint of the abrasive thud of Metallica‘s “St. Anger.” It gives the track character and certainly works to benefit the drum groove.
Thematically, this is the EP’s emotional anchor. It embodies the moment described in the EP’s concept. Realising that the thing you love most is also the thing destroying you. Burials, ghosts, obsession, the need to carve out your own survival by killing the part of yourself that refuses to let go. It is dramatic but never melodramatic. It works precisely because it is unexpected.
For a band whose roots lie in bare-knuckle hardcore, “Addiction” shows what they can do when they step outside the frame.
Final Thoughts
After “Chapter I,” many listeners wished for a longer release. That same feeling doesn’t return here. Now it is clear that the three chapters are designed as a single piece, and the shorter runtime feels justified. What truly matters is the growing coherence between the releases. “Chapter II” confirms that District 105 is no longer a promising local act. They are a band with global calibre and confidence.
The guitars are polished but not sterile. The drums hit with personality. The vocals are now unmistakably theirs. Sava Tomic once again brings out the best in the band, and his evolution as a producer mirrors the band’s growth in sound.
Visually, musically, and emotionally, District 105 have entered a new phase where everything finally aligns. The trilogy is shaping up to be their most ambitious statement yet. We’ll be passionately waiting for the ending and “Chapter III.”
Score: 8.5/10
