Album Review: ONI – The Silver Line (Ironshore Records)

The creative evolution of the multifaceted metallic force knowns as ONI never ends. The Silver Line is the third full-length album issued under the ONI banner, and it will be released on October 13th, 2023, via Ironshore Records.

Both a band and a one-man project, ONI is Jake Oni and is a showcase of all his dynamic skills. Alongside a plethora of musicians from a wide array of genres, ONI aims to change the face of metalcore and what listeners expect from the genre. Delivering a progressive and fresh style that can be rightfully called highly creative and extremely exciting.

Of course, many of the highlights of the record do come from the collaborations, but that doesn’t mean the ‘ONI only’ tracks are found lacking. Case in point, the emphatic anthem that opens the record, Silhouette. A track that will get most up and moving because of the chorus alone.

Elsewhere, there is Cyanide, a hectic, effects laden, and heavy blast of energy, and Burns My Soul, a brash showcase of the progressive elements that ONI make so impactful across the entirety of the album. These tracks are as enlightening as they are infectious, and you can’t help but come away with a good feeling inside.

How about these guests though? ONI has assembled an array of talent and it results in a ton of extremely memorable tracks. From the pop-punk touch that Sueco gives Spark to the cathartic expulsion that comes from Underneath My Skin and Kellin Quinn’s excellent voice. Pairing up well, the vocal interchanges are very strong here.

Seeing Jared Dines involved you can automatically presume that a track is going to have a lot of ‘meat’ to it and plenty of riffing, which is exactly what Silence in A Room of Lies offers. Whereas when you see Sikth’s Justin Hill, you just know a track like The Dread is going to ‘slap’, or when Howard Jones and Josh Gilbert are involved, you’re going to get something freaking massive, which is certainly the case with Aura. A ton of variety, while still being firmly rooted in the metalcore sound.

Lastly, the album is completed and complimented by the wonderful talents of The Contortionist’s Michael Lessard who guests on the track, Armageddon. The heaviest and hardest going tracks of all, even with its dreamy, melodic lulls and grand chorus. ONI proves once again that they stand alone in the world of progressive metalcore. The Silver Line is going to be loved by many, many listeners.

ONI – The Silver Line Track Listing:

1. Silhouette
2. Spark (feat. Sueco)
3. Underneath My Skin (feat. Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens)
4. Silence in A Room of Lies (feat. Jared Dines)
5. Cyanide
6. The Dread (feat. Justin Hill of Sikth)
7. Aura (feat. Howard Jones & Josh Gilbert)
8. Armageddon (feat. Michael Lessard of The Contortionist)
9. Burns My Soul

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