ONI – Loathing Light
Release Date: 17th June 2022
Label: Ironshore Records
Pre-Order/Pre-Save
Genre: Progressive Metalcore, Groove Metal.
FFO: Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, Chimaira.
Review By: Ryan Payne
ONI have been hitting the metal scene hard since their formation in 2014, playing alongside some big names such as Gojira, Code Orange and Children of Bodom, and their sophomore album Loathing Light is a continued example of why these guys are a band to watch. Written and produced by vocalist Jake Oni, producer Josh Wilbur and Lamb of God’s very own Mark Morton, this album is set off to be the next big thing in metal, filled with all kinds of goodies for fans to enjoy while listening through. Loathing Light is a straight blast to the past, giving it a very early-era metalcore sound while adding in some other splashes of different genres.
Going straight into this album, and it’s clear these guys aren’t playing around. Opening track “The Lie” is a thunderous way to welcome listeners to what’s coming up by hitting us with a neck-breaker of a metalcore song. Taking a step back from the chaos, the 2nd track “Against My Sins” hits you with the other end of the spectrum that ONI have to offer, delivering an almost ballad type track with a chorus that could rival some of Killswitch Engage’s softer material. The track picks up after the 2nd chorus, but this is definitely a very relaxing song to enjoy. The rollercoaster picks up speed again as the track “Secrets” demolishes my speakers, delivering a hard-hitting track alongside Iggy Pop and Randall Blythe of Lamb of God. The song is filled with technical riffs, destructive drums that just don’t seem to stop, and another anthemic chorus for crowds to lose their voices to. “Awaken” is another testament to how ONI have mastered their metalcore sound, with another song that feels like a call to arms: it’s easy to see this song being a crowd pleaser at shows.
Then we get to “World Ender”, a song that is very different to the rest of the album and that is primarily because of the collaboration with CITY MORGUE, a trap-screamo duo. The mixing of trap and metal has been becoming a regular occurrence in the genre and depending on how it’s delivered, it can sound incredible, or it can sound very out of place. I personally didn’t like the mix: the song felt so out of place with the rest of the album, kind of like an experimental track what was just thrown in the mix. Some fans might think otherwise, but it’ll definitely be a controversial point for most listeners.
The remainder of this album is very pleasing to listen to, from the adrenaline riff fuelled songs like “Sequence Static”, to the technical and heavy pleasures of “Battery Tomb” and “Gasoline”. ONI have created an incredible album that will truly please the ears of any metal fan. Loathing Light releases on 17th June through Ironshore Records, and I can’t express enough how vital it is to check out this album. It won’t be long until these guys are making enough waves to be headlining some of your favourite festivals and venues. 
(4 / 5)
