Published: December 31, 1969 · 7:00 PM EST
Canadian heavy rock/metal juggernaut ONI has revealed a video today for their newly released single, "Control." The animated clip created by Ben Watanabe and 555 Comic is the first episode in an animated series that explores the struggle within oneself. Centered around the main character Jake, the story follows his struggles with internal and external forces as he battles to overcome adversity and adversaries.
Jake's journey will continue to unfold in future episodes/music videos revealing a dystopian world and developing characters. Stylistically, you can expect traditional anime components woven together with ONI's ever evolving sound. The color palette is inspired by the muted tones of Afro Samurai, and the story arc has been written by ONI's founding vocalist Jake Oni himself. Each new song released will be an episode in the series.
Commenting on the new song, Oni states:
"This song is definitely some of my best work yet. Josh Gilbert wrote the song with me, and I tracked vocals at my studio in Cayman with Joe McQueen.
Control has a different vibe than anything I've written before in terms of range of vocals. The song tells a story that's brought to life in the music video by Ben Watanabe and his team at 555 comic. It was a huge privilege to work with Ben on this project."
Stream "Control": https://oni.os.fan
ONI will head out on tour this summer supporting CROWN THE EMPIRE, with DARK DIVINE and CAPSTAN. Dates are on-sale now at crowntheempireband.com/tour.
ONI Tour Dates w/CROWN THE EMPIRE:
8/2 - Mesa, AZ @ The Nile
8/3 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater
8/4 - Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
8/6 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Depot
8/7 - Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
8/9 - Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
8/10 - Davenport, IA @ Capitol Theater
8/11 - Chicago, IL @ House Of Blues
8/13 - Detroit, MI @ St Andrews Hall
8/14 - Toronto, ON @ Opera House
8/15 - Montreal, QC @ Club Soda
8/17 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
8/18 - Boston, MA @ The Paradise Rock Club
8/20 - Philadelphia, PA @ TLA
8/21 - Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
8/23 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Heaven)
8/24 - St Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Landing
8/25 - Ft Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution Live
8/27 - Charlotte, NC @ The Underground
8/28 - Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville
8/30 - Houston TX @ House of Blues
8/31 - Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
9/01 - San Antonio, TX @ Vibes Event Center
About ONI:
Formed in 2014 by vocalist Jake Oni, ONI quickly became one of Canada's most promising metal artists with his distinct amalgam of experimental progressive songwriting, brute metalcore savagery and cathartic melody. ONI roared to life with the release of his 2016 debut album, Ironshore, which was produced by Josh Wilbur (Avenged Sevenfold, Korn, Dillinger Escape Plan) and featured guest vocals by Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe on the song "The Only Cure."
ONI followed up with a monstrous Alone EP in 2019, and returned with his critically lauded second full-length, Loathing Light in 2022, that boasted guests Iggy Pop and Blythe on the song "Secrets" and "Heart To Stone," which was featured on Spotify's Best of Kickass Metal 2022 playlist.
Along his meteoric rise in the metal scene, ONI has shared the stage with acts like Megadeth, Gojira, Bullet for My Valentine, Starset, Children of Bodom, Rob Zombie, Death Angel and The Devin Townsend Project.
ONI released his third full-length album, "The Silver Line," in 2023. The metal artist's most dynamic yet cohesive album yet was produced, mixed, and mastered by the duo of Spiritbox bassist Josh Gilbert and Joe McQueen (As I Lay Dying, Light The Torch, Bad Wolves). "The Silver Line" is as ambitious as it is catchy and incisive. A quick perusal of the guests featured on ONI's third album reveals the wide range of his appeal. "Silence In a Room of Lies" pairs ONI with YouTuber and musician Jared Dines. "Underneath My Skin" features Sleeping With Sirens frontman Kellin Quinn. "Aura" boasts Gilbert and ex-Killswitch Engage singer Howard Jones. Pop-punk-resurgence star Sueco lends his voice to "Spark." "The Silver Line" ups the ante once more, adding another full-length chapter to ONI's ever-expanding songbook.
