Since the debacle over “the tour poster,” Bad Omens have been working their way back into the hearts of metal and rock fans alike by releasing some truly ambitious music. The Death of Peace of Mind (Sumerian Records) continues this on in spades.

Ominous, atmospheric synths fill the space in ‘Concrete Jungle’, building its way up to a raucous breakdown reminiscent of Australian heavy-hitters Polaris with a Hybrid Theoryesque disc scratching, showing another band bringing in the old nu-metal influences alongside newer metalcore vibes to create something new and vibrant. While for a lot of bands this can seem trite and derivative, Bad Omens manage to incorporate these influences and sounds and make it work well.

 

While from the outside this would seem like a wholly metalcore album, songs like ‘Bad Decisions’ slow the album down adding in more accessible clean vocals alongside minimalistic synths and beats creating a much more stripped back and intimate atmosphere. Here is where vocalist Noah Sebastian shines, showcasing a higher range than he has done prior to this album and in turn creating some of the best performances to date.

All of these previously stated elements come together on the single track ‘Like A Villain’. Bringing in the anthemic bounce of new Bring Me The Horizon with an undeniable catchy chorus to boot, Bad Omens have formulated one of the next big songs to be filling every alternative rock club near you. If you don’t have this song stuck in your head for days to come, you must have an iron will.

 

Taking another leaf out of BMTH’s book in the closing track, Bad Omens have created a song very similar to the Amo (RCA)-era. With dense, glitchy synths and bass taking the front seat, Sebastian follows with screaming vocals as the whole song distorts to a thunderous breakdown climax. Guitars flood the area, as the quartet remind you they’re still a metalcore band at heart.

 

As the sound fizzles into emptiness, it replicates that feeling you get at the end of a live performance as the lights flicker back on to a rapturous applause and you just have to stay in that moment as long as is possible. It seems as if Bad Omens are just getting into that stage in their career, and hopefully will be sticking around creating music like this as long as possible.

Buy the album here: https://amzn.to/3BM8LFC

8 / 10

CHARLIE HILL

 

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