Style: heavy metal, thrash
Label: self-released
Year: 2009
Home: New York City
Members: Olga ~ vocals
Diesekt D, Muerte ~ guitars
There's a couple things every band seems to want. Guitarists are common, but finding a bassist or drummer can be a struggle. While if there is a rhythm section in place it seems like every band wants a 'chick singer'. Onpoint has two great thrash guitarists & the pot of gold chick singer, but they lack a rhythm section. You don't see many thrash bands without a bassist & drummer & relying on a drum machine both on & off stage. But, what could be a detriment Onpoint, or ON901N7 following their habit of re-writing words, has turned it into a key part of their image as what's more cool than robots? The full title of their work is
Behold the Robot Rebellion - C783RN371C5 15 7H3 FU7UR3 - MU51C 4 R08075. Doesn't that say it all? Well, if you speak android-ese it does! Though, Onpoint's music is not as robotic as I'm making it out to be nor as much as they may advertise, as they may rely on electronic drums but it's not a detriment nor a dominating part of their sound. Actually, away from the stage it's not noticeable that they don't have a real drummer. Even the absence of a bassist isn't too big of a loss though it does get sometimes felt by some overplaying to fill up the air. Perhaps its the fact that they're playing over a drum machine & sans bassist but at times having both guitars riffing away, in stereo so listen on headphones for the full effect, comes off cacophonic & muddy. It's hard to tell if it's dueling guitars, interplaying guitars or if they are playing the same riff (for example "xX154V3NC3IXx", "What A Mess"). Though, on the other hand, they are obviously experimenting here with something that mixes the riffs of thrash with the dynamics of power metal as the riffs are anything but heavily repeated lines but actually intertwined bits creating a wall of nuanced little melodies. Sometimes they break into traditional lead & rhythm accompaniment (ie. "What A Mess") & even a single simple guitar line is heard (ie. "Dream (Paralysis)"). I'd recommend more experimentation along this line as it creates a welcomed dynamic. But, perhaps the angular muddy wall of sound is deliberate as Olga's vocals are clear & melodic & cutting across the ocean around her. Though, she's anything but robotic, even with some occasional robotic backing echoes used to good measure (ie. "Indenial"), but soulful with a hint of punk attitude. Lola also shies away from Nighwish-esque opera vocals which is not a reflection of her potential singing ability but happily prevents Onpoint from sounding like many other bands. Onpoint have become known for covering Nine Inch Nail's "Wish" in concert ... maybe someday they'll consider paying the royalties & head into the studio to cover their own version because they do a great thrash arrangement ... you'll have to check it out on youtube in the meantime ... considering NIN is perfect for bands with electronic drums.
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