ALBUM REVIEW: Loathing Light – ONI
It’s been six long years since the release of their debut album Ironshore, leaving many pondering the future of ONI and whether they were a one hit wonder. Loathing Light which is available now via independent label Ironshore Records ushers in a new and exciting chapter for the band, one which may prove to be a bit of a surprise.
The Lie kicks off this release in high-octane fashion with a mixture of emotive melodies and heavy-hitting instrumentation. Powerful drums steamroll through the track accompanied by enticing riff sequences. Against My Sins maintains the energetic hooks but only in short bursts. This piece takes a more tense, poignant approach, focusing more on the lyrical narrative to add a personal nature to proceedings. Ever wondered what it would be like to have Iggy Pop and Randy Blythe feature on the same track? Well Secrets has got you covered. A frantic tempo meets intense flurries of musicianship to get your adrenaline flowing.
Awaken throws formidable grooves into the mix as it continues its assault. Alluring drum rhythms run rampant, providing a solid foundation for the carnage. War Ender isn’t short on buoyancy as hip-hop outfit CITY MORGUE leave their emphatic stamp on the track. Whilst being an unconventional addition that may prove to be chalk and cheese to some listeners, it certainly adds to the variety on show. Heart To Stone is packed full of anthemic instances that will have the metalcore faithful singing their hearts out. Accessible, catchy and memorable – what’s not to love?
Battery Tomb quickly bares its sharp teeth, delving into the more aggressive realms of ONI‘s offering. If you want a track to lose your mind to as a pit explodes then this will be right up your alley. Sequence Static sustains this vicious mentality, reeling off slick riff work in impressive fashion. The crunchy guitar tone works wonders in bringing this track to life. Gasoline lets eccentric flair roam free, chopping and changing style frequently to add some spice to the chaos. Crushing momentum continues to build throughout as this piece becomes an absolute beast. Golden is almost like a cool down after a handful of fist-pumping tracks. The clean, acoustic tones tug on your heart strings allowing the vocal work to take you on an emotional journey.
If you were anticipating another round of technical bludgeoning akin to the Ironshore era then you may be disappointed as ONI have taken an entirely different direction this time round. Loathing Light leans towards a more open approach to songwriting, flowing into a range of styles and moods which remain remarkably cohesive. It will be intriguing to see what the future holds and what the next creative process resembles but before we get too ahead of ourselves there is plenty to appreciate among this release.
Rating: 8/10
Loathing Light is out now via Ironshore Records.
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