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Omnigone

Against The Rest

Written by: MAK on 09/01/2024 17:43:44

Ska now more than ever has been the mantra that Omnigone’s Adam Davis has been living by in recent years, and the release of “Against The Rest” gives us a further throwback to his skacore-influenced Link 80 past. Following a debut album, “No Faith” in 2019, and a split with Catbite, it feels like Omnigone has fully found their sound that blends breakdowns, gang vocals, fast punk beats and halftime ska.

The album kicks off with the title track “Against The Rest”, an intense skacore number that launches us out of the blocks at full speed, pummeling beats, punchy hooks and pulsing horns that add further chaos to the mix. It has full-on hardcore energy with big gang vocals that will encourage any crowd to join in. Follow-up track “Communities In Collaboration”, a track all about standing up and fighting together is musically more of a fun, yet edge ska punk hit that will motivate a fast skanking session, like a shot to get your dancing shoes on. It’s less than three minutes in and we’re already two songs done. Most of the songs barely break the two-minute mark, and the minor few feel like catchy single-type tracks, “One More Minute” drops the intensity and chimes in with a chirpy tone and heartwarming singalong chorus, creating more of a dynamic than to just skank or mosh. Yet “In The Grey” brings us back in with the aggression, deep crunchy hooks, huge shouted gang vocals and Adam Davis’ somewhat distinctive throaty shouts. It’s an out-and-out hardcore track to lose your shit to.

The tone of the album dips and dives from fun and uplifting anthems to pounding hardcore regularly enough to keep you on your toes. The dynamics work well in letting one extreme shine further against the other. “Are We Ok?” which features Tara Hahn from third-wave ska outfit Half Past Two, for one is also very third-wave inspired with its fun “HEY HEY HEY” singalongs and buoyant atmosphere is then followed up by the hard-hitting “Destroy Hymn” that is loaded with angst, adrenaline, big angry riffs and a fury of venomous vocals. “Tonight” then chimes right back in as a skankable fun frenzy to get those knees right back up again. The exciting twists keep coming. “Tonight” however stands out with one of the most infectious singalong choruses along with strong messages about gun laws and taking action now before it’s too late.

Variety is key in making this album stand out against its peers. Each dynamic works sublimely, especially for those who like both ska-punk and hardcore. Crack Rock Steady style faster Ska punk vibes are fluent throughout, but letting out a slightly darker edge and brighter tones make it more of a well-rounded album as a whole. Where this album improves from “No Faith” is more expansive musicianship. The brass and keys are more prominent in the songwriting. The overall mix quality is remarkably improved, while this album still sounds raw in places, it definitely sounds a lot more professional and the anthemic earworms hook you in. With standalone singles like “Don’t Give Up The War” and “Land of Opportunity” released in the last couple of years, it was to be expected that Omnigone would develop a catchier sound than just some hardcore-inspired ska punk and they didn’t disappoint. Overall this is a top quality album.

Download: Tonight, Control, Against The Rest
For the fans of: Suicide Machines, Capdown, Best of the Worst
Listen: Facebook

Release date 31.03.2023
Bad Time Records