The progressive metal group Oni is featured in this week’s Meet The Band. Their album Ironshore was just released. Vocalist Jake Oni introduces us to his band.
Chad Bowar: How did you decide to work with producer Josh Wilbur (Lamb Of God)?
Jake Oni: Melissa Cross recommended that we work with him. Josh produced a lot of bands that we like to listen to such as Lamb of God and Gojira. After one phone call with him, we knew he was the guy who could take our music to the next level.
How was the experience and what is his producing style?
Josh Wilbur is really hands on and likes to take control of guitar, drum and synth tones. Josh has a sharp ear for detail and pushed us to strive for our best. We would do a take that we thought was great and he would make us do it again. We are all better musicians for having worked with him!
How did Randy Blythe’s guest appearance come about, and what did it add to the album?
Our producer, Josh Wilbur introduced us! Randy liked the sound of the band so we asked him to do guest vocals on our song “The Only Cure.” What did it add to our album? Randy from Lamb of God sang on our fucking album! That’s what it added!
How would you characterize the album’s style/sound?
Ironshore’s sound is progressive metal mixing influences from multiple genres, while incorporating our own personalities.
How did you come to sign with Metal Blade?
Technically we’re signed to Blacklight Media, which falls under the Metal Blade umbrella. They liked our music and our manager made it happen for us. We feel really lucky to be working with Blacklight/Metal Blade who represents bands like Good Tiger and Between the Buried and Me.
What are your expectations for the record?
We have no expectations. We put a lot of work into it and we just want as many people to listen to Ironshore as possible. We hope people dig it as much as we do.
You just kicked off the I Worship Chaos tour with Children Of Bodom, Abbath and Exmortus. Any plans for 2017 yet?
In January we will be on road again with our friends in Devil You Know, in the UK. Nothing confirmed beyond that, but our album is just coming out so we expect us to be on the road most of next year.
What has been your most memorable Oni live show?
Knotfest. Just to be there was incredible. Randy Blythe (Lamb of God) sang with us on stage, which was surreal.
Seen any good movies or DVDs lately?
Doctor Strange and Fantastic Beasts were the last two movies that Oni watched together. Both were awesome!
What’s currently in your heavy musical rotation?
The bands that are currently heavy in my musical rotation are Exmortus (who we are on tour with right now), Dream Theater and Letlive along with the new Meshuggah and Children of Bodom records.
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
You can order your copy of Ironshore here and come see us on tour with Children of Bodom, Exmortus and Abbath in the US this winter and in the UK this January with Devil You Know.
(interview published November 26, 2016)
