Modern metalcore project, ONI have unveiled a brand new single, ‘Control.’ The track comes accompanied with an official music video created by Ben Watanabe (555 Comic). Stream the track here.
The video is the initial episode of an animated series, written by ONI frontman and visionary, Jake Oni, that explores the struggle with oneself. As the main character (Jake) struggles with his demons (ONI), the story of Jake’s battle unfolds. As the episodes/music videos roll out in the coming months, we will see the dystopian world and character development playout as Jake’s journey continues. Stylistically, traditional anime components are woven together with ONI’s evolving sound. The colour palette and aesthetics are inspired by the muted tones of Afro Samurai.
Of the new song, Jake Oni reveals,
“This song is definitely some of my best work yet. Josh Gilbert wrote the song with me, and I tracked vocals at my studio in Cayman with Joe McQueen. ‘Control’ has a different vibe than anything I’ve written before in terms of range of vocals. The song tells a story that’s brought to life in the music video by Ben Watanabe and his team at 555 comic. It was a huge privilege to work with Ben on this project.”
Watch the video for ‘Control’ below and stay tuned for the next instalment in the series very soon.
ONI’s 3rd full-length album, ‘The Silver Line’ arrived last year to solid critical acclaim and featured the crushing singles ‘Aura‘ (feat. Howard Jones & Josh Gilbert), ‘Silence In A Room Of Lies‘ (feat. Jared Dines), ‘Underneath My Skin‘ (feat. Kellin Quinn) and ‘Silhouette.’ Produced, mixed and mastered by Spiritbox bassist Josh Gilbert and Joe McQueen (As I Lay Dying, Light The Torch, Bad Wolves), ‘The Silver Line’ pushed the metalcore genre forward into the light of mainstream accessibility with enormous hooks fused with colossal riffs and catchy melodies.
METAL HAMMER – “…impressively dynamic and brutally heavy.”
POWERPLAY – “ONI’s skill, talent and creativity have shone through to create an absolute masterpiece.”
About ONI:
Formed in 2014 by vocalist Jake Oni, ONI quickly became one of Canada’s most promising artists with their distinct amalgam of experimental progressive songwriting, brute metalcore savagery and cathartic melody. The five-piece roared to life with the release of their 2016 debut album, Ironshore (Metal Blade Records), which was produced by Josh Wilbur (Avenged Sevenfold, Korn, Dillinger Escape Plan) and featured guest vocals by Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe on the song, ‘The Only Cure.’
ONI followed up with a monstrous Alone EP in 2019, and returned with their critically lauded second full-length, Loathing Light in 2022, that boasted guests Iggy Pop and Blythe on the song ‘Secrets‘ and ‘Heart To Stone,’ which was featured on Spotify’s Best of Kickass Metal 2022 playlist.
During their rise in the heavy music realm, ONI has shared stages with Megadeth, Gojira, Bullet for My Valentine, Starset, Children of Bodom, Rob Zombie, Death Angel and The Devin Townsend Project.
2023 was ONI’s biggest and most pivotal year yet. Their single, ‘Silence In A Room Of Lies‘ was added to dozens of stations across the USA, including Music Choice Rock, KUPD, KJEE, WEDG, WDHA, KXCI among many others. Their current album, ‘The Silver Line’ upped the ante once more, adding another full-length chapter to ONI’s ever-expanding songbook.