Album Review: A Dark Halo - Omnibus One
Reviewed by Liam True
Being described as "Cyber Metal" is an unusual genre, but when you get into Omnibus One, it’s a pretty good description of the band. While the band are primarily metalcore through and through they do include elements of electronic influences. Having only released their debut a mere 17 years ago in 2006, and then dropping their first single in 2019, the band are here to make a comeback to remember.
Thin Be The Veil kicks you in the gut with the chugging guitars of Christopher Jones & Abe Robertson, combined with visceral drumming from Kaye Papale it’s a heavy starting point. As the vocals of Dave Lowmiller creep up on you with his low whispers and sharp growls. The band create an atmosphere that does feel like you’re floating in space and landing on distant planets. The clean vocals of secondary vocalist Melrose put the song to a higher level, as do her vocals on the entire album.
Starfall & Vector Unknown are to brilliant back-to-back tracks showing the more electronic elements to the record but still holding the metal firmly. Flame Betide is the song where it gets dark. The faster pace is slowed. The electronics are darker, and Lowmiller's vocals are somber and Melrose uses her range to keep the melodies at bay during the chorus’. Easily the best song on the album despite the sudden change in pace, but it’s welcomed.
After Flame Betide however is where the album dives into the more progressive sides of metal. The heavy chugs and electro-bites are still here but with a more prog flavour. I, Revenant is the most proggy out of the final four songs. The guitar work of Jones & Robertson is akin to John Petrucci as the fretwork is stunning along with Lowmiller’s cleans and growls echo around Melrose’s vocals to create a stunning climax to the album.
There are parts of the album that I would change, such as toning the electro sounds on Vector Unknown, but apart from that it’s quite simply a wonderful album. And as their first in 17 years, it’s one hell of a comeback to make.
