Omens At Their Best Through Their Self-Titled Album

They’d be right to say that their new album “Omens” would graze the hearts and minds of people who are naturally drawn to the type of music they produce, as this record is nothing but a treat filled with complex solos, great riffs, and chant-worthy lines. Omens proves they are one of the best bets in the scene of rock through twelve songs.

“Divide and Conquer” is a solid starter, an exclusive first taste to strong guitar tones and vocals. Production-wise, listeners can only expect the best from here on out, as every element — from instrumentals to wordplay to execution — is spot on, and every sound feels full. “The vision / Revision / Where do we go from here?” This track seems to be talking about looking forward to something particular in the future, which makes it a great candidate as the ‘pilot’ track.

Up next, “Make it Quick” and “Black Magic” act as one, but not quite. The former has a riff and a solo that will get you hooked straight away, offering lyrics such as “Above all else, we must rely on stealth”. There’s a seamless transition between both tracks, barely noticeable unless you look at the song change in real time. Somewhat of a continuation, but the latter track contains a different vibe and a chorus that has a catchy hook to it on about being enchanted by something or someone: “You say it’s not my place / But when I see your face / I feel the walls are closing / And my words hang there frozen”.

The title track “Omens” initially has a quicker tempo, but turns mellow when it reaches the chorus. It essentially talks about trying to get a good outcome out of omens, “I’m looking for the biggest wave to carry me”. Meanwhile, “Loose Ends” has a naturally energetic and catchy ambience, not to mention a wicked solo and a fake-out afterwards, followed by a playful “You really think it’s over?”

“World Falls Away” contains subtle yet strong harmonies, with the progressions adding diversity and uniqueness to the track. It also really shows skill on the drums in the near end, and a clever addition of the line “You’re the captain on a shipwreck on the sea of denial”. Afterwards, “Unworthy” graces the outlets, with an introduction sounding like it’s brewing something interesting. At this point, the songwriting deserves acknowledgement, not only for this song but the rest of them, as Omens has a knack for arranging every line to fit together, providing easiness in the rhyming patterns.

The guitar in “Damaged Goods” will get your head bopping; there’s something about how this band comes up with how every chord is strum and when each one will linger and last before another one follows. The solo is, needless to say, mind blowing. Up next, “Trapdoor” is a metaphor in itself: “Some doors let you in / Some slam shut”, and it’s even more evident in “It shows up / When I need it / Do I punch it down / Or feed it?” Seemingly about the act of spiraling and deciding whether or not to resist or give in, the trapdoor comes into play when he does fall into it.

“Goodbye Forever (See Ya Never)” is a fun little song containing a fun and catchy riff. Listeners should only be expecting the best at this point, ten tracks in; we’ve only been getting good, different tunes with each passing minute, and no one could really guess what’s coming next. This one’s a carefree song essentially about bidding farewell and good riddance: “I got too much to do / To keep up with you”, “Never wishing I knew all this shit about you”. In simpler terms, it’s great and relatable.

The last two songs are distinguishable from each other. “Was I You Were You Me” has a bit of a dark vibe to it by how suppressed and tamed everything is at first, once again building up to greater heights and sounds. An awesome concept for a track, really sticking to the airy energy of Omens. This can definitely be seen chanted at a gig.

Last but not the least, “Crowd Pleaser” is a pretty self-explanatory track, immediately grabbing back the listener’s attention to send off the entire record the right, bright, and energetic way. The siren-like riff is addicting, and it contains lines such as “Give the people what they want / It all adds up to nothing if you don’t take the shot”, adhering to the song’s name.

All in all, this album is like a hidden gem among a sea of great releases, and they know what they’re worth; they know that people who dig art that sound like this will like their stuff. An easy recommendation for all my rocker friends, as they can utilize these amazing tracks in any way they can: for leisure listening, or new riffs and solos to learn to enhance their own skills.