10 Amazing Metal Bands That Totally Defy Genre
5. ONI
A juggernaut with a seemingly infinite bag of tricks, Canada’s ONI are a group that seamlessly integrate experimental metal, melodic death metal, groove metal and “djent” into their mind-bending tunes. The six-piece are a truly volatile one, making enormous waves very early on as they managed to snag an enviable deal with Metal Blade Records: the home of such beloved titans as Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation, GWAR and, formerly, Slayer.
The mavens took full advantage of their massive springboard, releasing their 2016 debut Ironshore to rave reviews and worldwide intrigue, spawned mostly by Johnny DeAngelis and his mystical xylophone.
Yeah, that’s right…
But once you get past that fascinating nugget of information, ONI are far more than just a gimmick. They shine with polyrhythmic and crushingly heavy guitars, inventive percussion, abstract lyricism and an engaging stage presence, to the point where not only have they toured with such names as Death Angel, Devin Townsend, Gojira and Children of Bodom, but they’ve even collaborated with Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe.
The stars are aligning for ONI and with album number two on the way very, very soon, it’s only a matter of time before the trailblazers capitalise on a fantastic start to their career.