OMNI Pt. 1 - A Great Farewell in the Making Posted April 03, 2023 By RyanAdams_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need To Know Project 86 is releasing their final music in the form of a crowd-funded, 2-part album titled OMNI. The first of the two full-length records is out now, OMNI, Pt.1. It is one of the heaviest and most conceptually driven albums in their history. The final chapter of Project 86 has begun.
What It Sounds Like Andrew Schwab, the lead singer, explains in an interview with As The Story Grows that a nodule in his throat began growing around the Truthless Heroes record (2002). During the pandemic, he finally sought out a throat specialist and discovered no nodule. With the relief, he pursued new vocal styles. The result is incredible: the best and most natural sounding heavy vocals from Schwab.
Additionally, the musicianship is tight and as pounding as it's always been, but the signature post-hardcore influence is nearly gone, with metalcore taking over. The new style features chuggy guitars, new vocal styles, and double-bass at times. It's not relentless, though, as there are some transition tracks which are less songs and more of concept album supplements. Overall, it sounds apocalyptic, as the concept is meant to be.
Spiritual Highlights Andrew Schwab has talked about his faith in the past, and it always finds a way into his music. On OMNI, the themes are of a dystopian future, in an old-school way, much like you'd find in classic sci-fi films. This includes 2 main perspectives, the "OMNI" corporation and the other from the people oppressed by it.
Because of this design, there is not many biblical lessons or references to draw from, especially in direct quotation or implication. However, I found myself often comparing the viewpoints of the oppressed as that of humanity under the dominant curse of sin and death.
Best Song The new stylistic changes and metalcore influences make it more difficult to decide which songs are best, when they all sound so different than what we've grown to be familiar with from Project 86. There is the singular ballad, "Tartarus Kiss" that offers the melodic side we love from the band. Being conceptual, the band has a fantastic closing song, "Tears in Reign," that serves as a climatic ending and closes a unique listening experience from front to back. The lead single, "Metatropolis" is great on its own, however, too.
Bottom Line OMNI will be the most unique and metalcore-influenced record of Project 86's career. This double record will go down in heavy music scene history as one off the best final albums for a band. It is a difficult task to create something different yet familiar that will intrigue and impress fans, and Project 86 have nailed it. I thought there were a few too many transitional tracks, one or two would have been fitting. But in the scope of 2 records in OMNI, they will likely earn their place. Fans of hard rock or metal will not want to miss either parts of OMNI.
