The third album under the moniker of ONI from Canada’s Jake Oni continues the adept blend of commercial and cutting-edge progressive metalcore elements paired with big hooks and the odd curveball or three that helped explode ONI out of seemingly nowhere almost a decade ago. Enthusiasm bleeds from every measure, section after section building energy to satisfying conclusions.
As I approached The Observatory in Santa Ana, California, people were still hanging in the parking lot, talking about bands and shows. But one group that caught my attention, was a group of people putting on corpse paint on their faces. Such admiration for them to be able to get dressed up for shows.
Riding high on their recent tour of Japan, and livestream concert at Budokan with a reunion with former guitarist Marty Friedman, Thrash legends Megadeth have announced North American tour dates, primarily focusing on Canada. Bullet For My Valentine will provide direct support. Canadian progressive metal band Oni will kick off the tour as the opening act. Megadeth will tour Europe this summer and also perform at festivals. Continue reading
Black Metal legends Cradle Of Filth and groove metal pioneers Devildriver are thrilled to announce their highly-anticipated upcoming 2023 U.S. co-headline tour, beginning March 8, 2023 in Tempe, AZ. The first leg of the “Double Trouble Live” tour will visit several popular western and southern U.S. markets, coming to an end in Albuquerque, NM on March 26. Support will come from Black Satellite and Oni.
ONI – Loathing Light (Ironshore Records)
The development and progression from Jake Oni’s 2016 debut, the tech metal minded Ironshore to second offering Loathing Light is something quite notable. Always technically proficient, Oni has made the most of his exposure to a host of successful musical others (for one, he worked with Mark Morton on the latter’s solo record), and their class has rubbed off. That isn’t to say that ONI is reliant on the guest interventions and mentorship and guidance of others, more to say that the eponymous mastermind has become the proverbial sponge, moving on his ability to write engaging, memorable metal tunes, with the emphasis on energy, and setting a series of barbed aural traps to ensnare both the willing victims and the unwitting.
Progressive metalcore project ONI, have shared their second track, “Secrets” featuring guest vocals from punk icon Iggy Pop and Lamb of God frontman, Randy Blythe. The single, along with previously released songs, “The Lie” and ‘War Ender’ featuring NYC trap metal squad, City Morgue, are taken from the band’s forthcoming second album, Loathing Light, which is set to land on June 17th, via Ironshore Records. Continue reading
This year’s Rockharz Open Air is sold-out, faster than ever before. As preparations begin to host the 25th edition of the festival, it will take place from July 4th to July 7th, 2018 in Ballenstedt. The fest is headlined by In Flames, Powerwolf, Kreator, Hammerfall, Eisbrecher, Paradise Lost, Amorphis, Knorkator, Schandmaul, Cannibal Corpse, Alestorm, Ensiferum, Exodus, Sodom, Equilibrium, Die Apokalyptischen Reiter, Finntroll, Battle Beast, Amaranthe, Bannkreis, Gloryhammer and many more. You can see the final poster below. Continue reading
Rockharz Open Air is celebrating 25 years as a festival in 2018. This year’s fest is already loaded with talent and grows all the time, now with six new bands. Joining the lineup headlined by In Flames, Powerwolf, Kreator, and Hammerfall are Bannkreis, Versengold, Winterstorm, Oni, Blind Channel, Manntra with special guest, Michael Rhein (In Extremo). The fest takes place from July 4th to July 7th 2018 in Ballenstedt, Germany. Tickets are on sale now and a sellout is expected. Continue reading
Fans from all over the world converged in the mountains of San Bernadino, California for Ozzfest Meets Knotfest 2017. Taking place at the Glen Helen Amphitheater & Festival Grounds, the scenic vista of mostly blue skies and mountains all around us was the perfect setting for a weekend of some of the most entertaining, heaviest bands on Earth. After arriving in California a night early, but missing the pre-party show, the Ghost Cult crew got settled in at our hotel, had a great meal and beers at BJ’s Brewhouse, and rested up for the big weekend ahead. Continue reading
