Oni is a metalcore artist formed in Canada by singer Jake Oni.[1][2][3][4][5] Jake Oni grew up in the Cayman Islands, where he still lives today.

Oni
Background information
OriginOntario, Canada and George Town, Cayman Islands
GenresMetalcore, progressive metal
Years active2014–present
LabelsIronshore, Metal Blade, Blacklight Media
MembersJake Oni
Past members
  • Martin Andres
  • Chase Bryant
  • Johnny D
  • Joe Greulich
  • Brandon White
Websiteonimusic.com

History

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Oni formed in 2014.[6] They released their debut album, Ironshore, in 2016, on Black Light Media Records and Metal Blade Records.[7] Longtime Lamb of God producer Josh Wilbur produced and mixed the album and the song "The Only Cure" featured Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe.[8]

Wilbur produced Oni's Alone EP, released by Blacklight Media/Metal Blade in 2019.[9] The same year, Jake Oni contributed guest vocals to Lamb of God guitarist Mark Morton's solo album, Anesthetic. He appeared on the song "The Never," alongside Chuck Billy, David Ellefson, and Roy Mayorga,[10] and is credited as co-writer on "Cross Off," featuring late Linkin Park vocalist Chester Bennington.[11]

Morton and Wilbur co-wrote and produced "The Lie," released by Oni in February 2022, with Jake credited as the only member of the band.[12] American trap metal duo City Morgue appeared on another song called "War Ender", with a music video being released on April 13.

On April 28, 2022, Oni announced their second album, Loathing Light, which was released on June 17. The band also released a music video for the new song "Secrets", which features Iggy Pop and Randy Blythe from Lamb of God.[13]

In June 2023, Oni released "Silence In A Room Of Lies", a collaboration with Jared Dines.[14] A music video for the song was released alongside it, which features footage from a documentary shot by Dines.

Oni has toured with Gojira, Max & Iggor Cavalera, The Devin Townsend Project, Death Angel, Megadeth and Children of Bodom, Starset, Crown The Empire, They also performed at Ozzfest Meets Knotfest with Randy Blythe.[15][16]

On August 24, 2023, Oni released a new song, "Aura", featuring Howard Jones (Light the Torch, ex-Killswitch Engage) and Josh Gilbert (Spiritbox, ex-As I Lay Dying), and also announced their third album, The Silver Line, would be released on September 22.[17]

ONI has released 3 singles in 2024 all produced by Josh Gilbert (Spiritbox, ex-As I Lay Dying). Control - May 17, Walk Away - August 23 and Deja Vu - October 11.

Musical style

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Oni's sound has evolved over the 3 albums. Their debut album Ironshore is a progressive metal album,[18] heavily featuring a very unusual electronic instrument called the xylosynth. Loathing Light shifted towards more metalcore-focused sound, with much less electronic elements and more straightforward songwriting.[19] The Silver Line leaned more into a more modern progressive metalcore sound,[20] with a heavier emphasis on clean vocals.

Members

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Founding Member

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  • Jake Oni - Vocals (2014–present)

Current Touring Musicians

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  • Jared Dines - Guitar (2024–present)
  • Nick Villarreal - Bass (2022–present)
  • Dylan Roy - Drums (2024–present)
  • Eric Palmer - Guitar (2024–present)

Former Musicians

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  • James Knoerl - Drums (2023)
  • Johnuel Hasney - guitar, backing vocals (2022-2024)
  • Martin Andres - Guitar (2014-2019)
  • Brandon White - Guitar, backing vocals (2014-2019)
  • Chase Bryant - Bass (2014-2019)
  • Johnny D - Xylosynth (2014-2019)
  • Joe Greulich - Drums (2014-2019)

Discography

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Studio albums
  • Ironshore (2016)
  • Loathing Light (2022)
  • The Silver Line (2023)
  • Alone (2019)

Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak Chart Positions Album
US
Main.
Rock

[21]
"Eternal Recurrence" 2016 Ironshore
"Alone" 2019 Alone EP
"The Lie" 2022 Loathing Light
"War Ender" (feat. City Morgue)
"Secrets" (feat. Randy Blythe and Iggy Pop)
"Silence In A Room Of Lies" (feat. Jared Dines) 2023 The Silver Line
"Underneath My Skin" (feat. Kellin Quinn)
"Aura" (feat. Howard Jones and Josh Gilbert)
"Silhouette" 32
"Spark"
"Control" 2024 31
"Walk Away" (feat. Lil Aaron)
"Deja Vu"

Music videos

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Selected music videos
Year Song Album Director(s)
2016 "Eternal Recurrence" Ironshore Abraham Roofeh
2018 "Spawn and Feed" Un­known
2022 "War Ender" Loathing Light Zev Deans
"Secrets" Jeremy Danger and Travis Shinn
"Heart and Stone" Un­known
"Against My Sins"
"Iron Heart" Non-album single
2023 "Silence In a Room of Lies" The Silver Line
"Aura" Jensen Noen
"Silhouette" Un­known
"Spark" Jensen Noen
2024 "Control" Non-album single Ben Watanabe and Pedro Marcelino
"Walk Away" Pedro Marcelino
"Deja Vu" Patrick Tohill

References

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  1. ^ Kelly Frazier (May 3, 2017). "Canadian Progressive Metal Band Oni Set to Play The Ritz With Devil You Know, Lead Vocalist Jake Oni Talks of Band's Inception". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  2. ^ "ONI Vocalist Discusses Past Tourmates, Possible Upcoming Concept Album, & More". Metalinjection.net. May 12, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  3. ^ "Q&A: Jake Oni- ONI Metal Band". The Cayman Reporter. September 23, 2016. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ ""Managed by team behind Lamb Of God and Slipknot, metal band Oni release new music video"". Alternative Press: altpress.com. June 23, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  5. ^ Dave Ball (June 17, 2016). "Canadian Metal Band Oni to Play OzzFest Meets KnotFest, Release Debut Album". nationalrockreview.com. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  6. ^ "Recensione: Ironshore ". True Metal, January 12, 2017, by Daniele D'Adamo
  7. ^ Riley Rowe (January 3, 2017). "Album Review: ONI Ironshore". www.metalinjection.net.
  8. ^ "Exclusive: Premiere of ONI's 'The Only Cure' Video Featuring Lamb of God's Randy Blythe". Billboard Magazine. January 17, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  9. ^ "ONI announce new EP 'Alone'". Distorted Sound Magazine. February 10, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  10. ^ Mark Morton. "THE NEVER - Mark Morton". MarkMortonMusic.com. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  11. ^ Mark Morton. "CROSS OFF - Mark Morton". MarkMortonMusic.com. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  12. ^ "ONI Streams New Single "The Life" Produced By LAMB OF GOD Guitarist". Metal Injection. February 10, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  13. ^ "IGGY POP And LAMB OF GOD's RANDY BLYTHE Guest On ONI's 'Secrets' Song". Blabbermouth.net. April 28, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  14. ^ Weaver, James (June 5, 2023). "ONI release new music video for 'Silence In A Room Of Lies'". Distorted Sound. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  15. ^ "Metal Blade Records News Roundup – Six Feet Under, Armored Saint, Oni and ". Rock Pit, January 18, 2017, by Andrew Massie
  16. ^ "An Interview with lead singer Jake from ONI". Go Venue Magazine, November 16, 2017, Robert Chadwick
  17. ^ "ONI Launch New Single "Aura" Featuring Howard Jones (Light The Torch) & Josh Gilbert (Spiritbox)". ThePRP. August 24, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  18. ^ Tokgozoglu, Noyan. "Oni – Ironshore". Heavy Blog Is Heavy. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  19. ^ Beebee, Steve (June 17, 2022). "Album review: ONI – Loathing Light". Kerrang!. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  20. ^ Beebee, Steve (October 16, 2023). "Album review: ONI – The Silver Line". Kerrang!. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  21. ^ Peaks on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart: