Album Review: Opensight – Mondo Fiction (Self Released)

Known for suspense, spy themes, action and enigmatic horror passages, cinematic metallers Opensight return with their brand-new album ‘Mondo Fiction’. It will be self-released on the 4th of February 2022.

The word that comes to mind when reflecting on this release is ‘cool’. Opensight are a cool band and Mondo Fiction is a cool album. Where the term ‘cinematic’ really does apply but not in an operatic and symphonic way that the term is usually applied. Instead, Opensight create a time-capsule of music that could fit on the soundtracks of 60’s and 70’s espionage thrillers, crime and grindhouse entertainment, video nasty-esqe horror and low-budget multi-feature presentations.

It’s easy to wonder just how all of this is expressed across an album that is still, at its core, rooted in heavy metal and rock. Part of the fun is finding out. Be prepared to be astonished, be prepared to be dazed, be prepared to be blown away… Opensight have nailed exactly what they are going for.

Kicking off with the electrifying heaviness of In Here with Us, an enigmatic opener that has the furtiveness of a spy thriller while also having plenty of head-banging heaviness to it. An exciting start, The Great Silence then brings some of that 70’s car chase groove that sounds like it could have come off the soundtrack of the PS1 classic game, Driver.

Even grander heights are hit though with the suspense heavy Plot Twist and sinister, action-packed Stained Remains. Two quite different tracks but two thrilling examples of just how clever and fun Mondo Fiction is.

A 54-second intermission called Another New Beginning allows a breather before chuggy guitars, punchy drums and authoritative vocals drops us into a thrilling pursuit that is underway on Primitive Principle. Curse wouldn’t have sounded out of place on the soundtrack of something like Pulp Fiction, albeit with heavier rhythm and one heck of a brash chorus.

It’s just over a minute of eerie and menacing music with Horror Vacui which might have you looking over shoulder in fear. Before Opensight hit us with their two longest tracks back to back.

Up first is Villain, a sneaky and evil effort that features a tempo that sounds like a masterplan being explained as the hero is tied down under a laser gun. The highlight of this banger being a lengthy guitar solo.

Following that, which is no easy task, is Secrecy and here, Opensight double down on their spy drama with aplomb. A track that has old-school synths, energetic bursts of hard rock and a constant dangerous tone. It’s the culmination of a fantastic journey that is reached with a fun cover of the James Bond Thunderball theme. Apt really.

Opensight – Mondo Fiction Full Track Listing:

1. In Here with Us
2. The Great Silence
3. Plot Twist
4. Stained Remains
5. Another New Beginning
6. Primitive Principle
7. Curse
8. Horror Vacui
9. Villain
10. Secrecy
11. Thunderball

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