Artist: Onward To Olympas
Album: This World Is Not My Home
Genre: Metalcore
Label: Facedown

With an abundance of generic metalcore bands overwhelming the music scene recently I predicted Onwards to Olympas, would fall into this pit, but I was proven incorrect. On their debut album This World Is Not My Home, they may use conventional direction that we’ve heard a million times but their execution is nothing short of compelling.

Since their formation in 2008, Onwards to Olympas, based out of North Carolina, have already struck the interests of renowned label, Facedown Records and signed with them late last year. They incorporate melodic death metal with hardcore elements, paired with bone crushing vocals and even catchy and memorable clean singing throughout the album.

Their opening track “Unstoppable,” encompasses their relentless array of ability from the beginning. When vocalist Kramer Lowe screams, “bring forth the masses,” you can’t help but want to get in the pit. Metal bands that offer clean vocals are few and far between but for them, their singing is impressive and compliment nicely.
“Her Best Words Were Goodbye,” is one of the highlights of the album. The guitar solo going into a breakdown makes the last 30 seconds in itself is enough to win me over. “Don’t Cry To Me,” also has some impressive breakdowns and guitar riffs. Following, along with a couple other tracks, “Sink or Swim,” use gang vocals, a trademark to the genre. Unlike most attempts, the gang vocals work for them and really emphasize the message they are conveying.

In this case, I found they saved the best song for the end. The title track “This World Is Not My Home,” is hands down the most melodic but also their most aggressive song on the album. I couldn’t help but get chills during a vocal breakdown with the lyrics, “This world is not my home; I’m only here to share the message. This world is not my home, I live behind the gates.” Directly after they, seemingly effortlessly, go from a breath taking breakdown with brutal deep growls to an unexpected soothing and inspiring finale featuring guest vocalist Taisha Beathea, from the North Carolina band Carson, which left me in awe. There is no better way they could’ve ended this album.

Onwards to Olympas may not being offering anything new to the genre but I found this to be a respectable album. If you are into the metalcore scene then I assure you won’t be disappointed. Being a fairly young band they have already cultivated their sound and have turned the heads of many fans.

SCORE: 8.5/10.
By: Nerissa Judd

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James Shotwell

James Shotwell is the founder of Under The Gun Review. He loves writing about music and movies almost as much as he loves his two fat cats. He's also the co-founder of Antique Records and the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. You should probably follow him on Twitter.

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